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EU trade agreement threatens human rights in Indonesia
11-Sep-2017 Somo
The trade and investment agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and Indonesia poses serious threats to the human rights situation in Indonesia, according to a new report.
September 10, the International Day of Action against WTO and FTAs
10-Sep-2017 La Via Campesina
Today, La Via Campesina is calling upon social movements and civil society organisations of the world to mobilise and organise our resistances against the World Trade Organisation and free trade agreements, build solidarity alliances and prepare for a worldwide week of action in December, coinciding with the 11th WTO ministerial that is scheduled to take place in Argentina.
White House steps back from ending Korea trade pact
8-Sep-2017 WSJ
After intense resistance from Capitol Hill and business groups, Trump administration tells lawmakers a withdrawal isn’t a priority
Malaysia hopes to upgrade trade deal with US during Najib’s visit
7-Sep-2017 Bernama
“Now without TPPA, we are thinking of having an upgraded version of TIFA with the US, as TIFA is an agreement to go towards the goal of establishing a free-trade agreement at the end,” Second International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said
Indonesia expects to conclude four FTAs in 2017
7-Sep-2017 Jakarta Post
The government is optimistic that it will conclude four bilateral free trade agreements this year: comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) with Australia, the European Free Trade Association and Chile as well as a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Iran.
Singapore and Indonesia to start discussions on new bilateral investment treaty
7-Sep-2017 CNA
Singapore and Indonesia are working towards a new agreement to promote investment in both countries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced
Poland looks to block part of EU, Canada trade deal
7-Sep-2017 Undercurrent News
Poland is looking to block part of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) between the EU and Canada, over concerns for a planned mechanism for resolving disputes.
Sri Lanka to sign FTA with Singapore in October
7-Sep-2017 MENAFN
Sri Lanka is likely to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Singapore in October as the island country looks to attract more foreign investments
Pacific ACP leaders intensify preparations for ACP-EU negotiations
7-Sep-2017 ACP
Heads of Pacific governments are moving forward with groundwork on negotiations for a renewed trading partnership with the European Union, as part of the larger African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States.
The corporate attack on the movement for trade justice
7-Sep-2017 CEO
Corporate lobbies and think tanks have gone on what appears to be a concerted attack against NGOs and other groups opposing new free trade and investment deals. A new report from Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl exposes how big business interests with the most to gain from the trade agreements have been trying to undermine and discredit civil society groups.
CSOs challenge PH trade negotiators: Take Philippines out of RCEP!
7-Sep-2017 People over Profit
Philippine civil society groups and social movements stand together to oppose RCEP
Belgium asks European Court on legality of investment protection in CETA
6-Sep-2017 FOEE
Belgium has requested an opinion from the European Court of Justice on the ’Investment Court System’ included in the EU-Canada trade deal, to determine if the ICS is compatible with the European Treaties
India to offer investment sops to RCEP nations
6-Sep-2017 Live Mint
In a break from past trade pacts, India has agreed to ’ratchet’ and ’MFN-forward’ clauses, providing future domestic policy concessions in investment and services sectors to RCEP members with a five-year gap
US Chamber opposes strongly withdrawal from KORUS FTA
6-Sep-2017 Business Korea
The US Chamber of Commerce issues a statement opposing US withdrawal from KORUS, says it would not create a single American job
Singapore court sets aside award against Lesotho
6-Sep-2017 African Law Business
The Singapore High Court has set aside an investor-state arbitral award on the merits against the Kingdom of Lesotho. The case is an important one, as it concerns whether investors can use arbitration to resolve cases that were pending before the SADC Tribunal when it was dissolved by the SADC Summit in 2014.
Saharawi organisations slam EU over trade talks with Morocco
5-Sep-2017 Western Sahara Resource Watch
"Seeking to circumvent the ECJ’s ruling, directly challenges the credibility of the EU, and significantly damages the potential for progress through the UN-led negotiation process", Saharawi groups qualify the EU’s talks with Morocco regarding Western Sahara trade, in their letter to the EU’s Foreign Affairs Chief.
Liam Fox: We have turned down free trade deals because we do not have capacity
5-Sep-2017 Politics Home
The UK has turned down countries wishing to strike free trade deals after Brexit because the Government does not have the capacity to negotiate them, the International Trade Secretary has said.
US demands agro tariffs be lifted
5-Sep-2017 Korea Times
The United States has demanded South Korea eliminate all tariffs on US agricultural goods, according to a news report.
Turkey, Singapore ratify free trade agreement in significant bilateral milestone
5-Sep-2017 Straits Times
Turkey and Singapore have ratified a bilateral Free Trade Agreement that will enter into force on 1 October.
India-European FTA talks this month
5-Sep-2017 IANS
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will meet this month in an attempt to conclude their long pending negotiations, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Friday.