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RCEP will hurt local industry and allow workers’ exploitation, says civil society
9-May-2017 Down to Earth
RCEP is being negotiated in secrecy, but it is likely to favour big companies and threaten India’s agriculture, industry and e-commerce sectors
Labor groups raise grave concerns over RCEP
9-May-2017 Focus on the Global South
Representatives from major trade unions in both the public and private sectors have raised serious concerns on the possible impacts of the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (RCEP) which is currently being negotiated in Manila.
MSF response on RCEP negotiations in the Philippines
8-May-2017 MSF
Negotiators must protect public health safeguards that enable developing countries like India to keep supplying life-saving affordable medicines for millions of people worldwide.
Stop trading workers’ rights over profits
8-May-2017 Forum on FTAs
RCEP magnifies existing inequalities and discriminates against women, indigenous peoples, people living with HIV or other illnesses, people with disabilities,rural communities, farmers and workers
Australia-US free trade agreement leaves US companies in the lurch
5-May-2017 The Hill
The lack of a defined procedure under the AUSFTA is extremely prejudicial to U.S. companies and banks: chairman of APR Energy
U.S. farm groups pile on Canada as Trump eyes trade fairness
5-May-2017 Reuters
U.S. poultry exporters, who include Tyson Foods Inc and Pilgrims Pride Corp, as well as egg sellers, are expected to seek greater access to Canada’s tightly controlled market in renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
UAE, China agree to complete “free trade” with Gulf states
5-May-2017 Al Awsat
China and the United Arab Emirates said they would expand cooperation and work toward a free trade agreement between China and the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Vietnam to work with TPP members on future orientations
5-May-2017 Vietnam+
Vietnam will work with the member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement to reach a consensus on future orientations for the deal.
New Pacific trade pact goes against the protectionist tide
5-May-2017 Nikkei
But 14-nation deal may be largely symbolic without Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
Beyond investment protection: group warns of intensified corporate attacks vs people’s rights as ASEAN leaders meet in PH
5-May-2017 People Over Profit
The People Over Profit network together with local civil society organizations in the Philippines warn of intensifying corporate attacks on people’s rights and join calls for an independent, sovereign and peaceful Southeast Asian region.
RCEP talks: India under pressure to offer deeper tariff cuts
5-May-2017 The Hindu Businessline
Going forward has become extremely difficult for India as most RCEP members want zero duties on almost all products
New Asia-Pacific trade agreement lacks protections for one-sixth of world’s forests
5-May-2017 Ecobusiness
RCEP should make sure it promotes and protects the legal trade of forest products.
China could work on RCEP deal without India
5-May-2017 Global Times
China could set a goal of reaching an RCEP deal without India.
Japan pitches idea of five-nation TPP: sources
4-May-2017 Japan Times
An idea has emerged that the Trans-Pacific Partnership can take effect among at least five nations including Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Auditing Commission to release report as Ecuador moves to terminate investment agreements
4-May-2017 TNI
Ecuador’s review of its investment agreements may be unique in terms of scope, depth and citizen participation, however it is a part of an international trend towards increased scepticism towards the international arbitration system.
RCEP week of action in Manila: May 4-11, 2017
4-May-2017
Week of action and resistance
Europe pushes Asia trade talks with eye on ultimate prize China
4-May-2017 Bloomberg
The flurry has seen the bloc starting or accelerating talks with countries as far afield as New Zealand and Japan. In Asia, though, China remains the outlier for the EU on a long-stalled investment pact, the precursor to an eventual trade deal.
All roads lead to TPP for Japanese lawmakers
4-May-2017 Politico
The idea of a U.S.-Japan bilateral trade deal isn’t getting much enthusiasm from senior Japanese lawmakers, unless it leads back to what Tokyo views as the more realistic and most beneficial result: the TPP.
Asia Pacific CSOs get ready for No RCEP week of action with release of video
4-May-2017 APWLD
Civil society groups say no to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Need time to consider Turkey’s call for FTA, says New Delhi
3-May-2017 The Hindu
India is open to considering Turkey’s proposal to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement in goods, services and investments despite the politically volatile situation in Ankara, but needs time to weigh the potential gains for its industry.