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Dutch referendum petition launched to oppose CETA ratification
4-Nov-2016 EurActiv
Dutch group very similar to the one which organised the referendum that blocked the EU-Ukraine association agreement has already collected over 190,000 signatures for blocking the ratification of CETA, the EU-Canada trade deal.
EU member states divided in face of Commission crackdown on intra-EU ISDS
3-Nov-2016 Bordelex
Once a desirable form of European international relations endorsed by the Commission, Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) became a problematic issue after the accession of former socialist countries in Central and Eastern Europe to the European Union, and with the emergence of the first intra-EU investment arbitration – ISDS – cases.
Malaysia committed to complete ratification of TPPA by 2018
3-Nov-2016 Free Malaysia Today
MITI Secretary-General Jayashiri says government is in the process of amending laws to support the trade pact and have identified 18 thus far.
Ruling coalition gives up trying to pass TPP-ratifying bill after minister’s gaffe
3-Nov-2016 The Japan Times
After a new round of calls for the resignation of Japan’s gaffe-prone agricultural minister, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition gave up trying to pass a bill to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement through a special Lower House committee.
EU-US Privacy Shield pact faces second legal challenge
3-Nov-2016 EurActiv
A new EU-US pact governing the transfer of personal data faces a second legal challenge, putting the details of the deal which underpins billions of dollars of transatlantic trade in digital services under further scrutiny.
RCEP: Members worried about giving more market access to Chinese goods
3-Nov-2016 The Hindu
The concerns of 15 Asia-Pacific nations including India, over agreeing to give greater market access to Chinese goods without gaining similarly in return, are likely to take centre-stage
Comments after the INTA Committee’s debate on Ghana’s interim EPA
2-Nov-2016 SOL
On October 13, 2016 the INTA Committee of the European Parliament debated Ghana’s interim EPA (iEPA), with the participation of Ms Hannah Tetteh, Ghana’s Minister of foreign affairs.
EU seeks faster reforms on human rights ahead of Sri Lanka trade deal
2-Nov-2016 EurActiv
European parliamentarians asked Sri Lanka to step up reforms and abolish draconian anti-terror laws to qualify for lucrative trade concessions from the 28-member bloc.
Canada says must work hard to ensure firms benefit from EU deal
2-Nov-2016 Reuters
The Canadian government will have to work hard to ensure firms benefit from a landmark free trade deal that Canada has reached with the European Union.
U.S. & Argentina work to strengthen trade ties
2-Nov-2016 Wisconsin Ag Connection
Macri indicated his country could eventually sign a free trade agreement with the U.S., and Obama said the two nations could more immediately address trade issues through a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
EU-Mercosur deal hits fresh setback
2-Nov-2016 EurActiv
The President of South American trade bloc Mercosur’s parliament (Parlasur) thinks that the EU’s current tabled offer is “unsatisfactory” and made it clear that it shouldn’t be signed in its current form.
Can Vietnam take full advantage of preferences in VN-EAEU FTA?
2-Nov-2016 Vietnamnet Bridge
With the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) having taken effect, many Vietnamese export items now enjoy a zero percent tariff. However, it will be not an easy task to boost exports.
RCEP pact signing: LDF govt ready to lead all-party delegation to Centre
1-Nov-2016 Madhyam
The move to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would adversely affect Kerala’s agriculture sector, mainly the cash crops.
Why East Africa should reject European pact
1-Nov-2016 The Southern Times
Countries in East Africa are ready to sign on a poorly understood trade agreement with the EU whose overall impact will be disastrous for years to come.
CETA: Controversy over EU pressure on Wallonia
31-Oct-2016 EurActiv
The president of Walloon party CDH has repeated that there had been insinuations about negative consequences for the region if it continued to veto the trade treaty with Canada.
Neighbors’ political ties key to substantial collaboration
31-Oct-2016 Ecns
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea trade ministers agreed to speed up their negotiations on a trilateral free trade deal.
India changes tack on RCEP negotiations
31-Oct-2016 Mainstream Weekly
Recently India abruptly changed tack by expressing its willingness to drop the three-tiered approach on tariff liberalisation under the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
Minority of Japanese support TPP
31-Oct-2016 The Advertiser
Only 38 per cent of Japanese want to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, according to a survey, showing a growing public distrust of free trade agreements.
EU, Canada sign historic trade deal amid protests
31-Oct-2016 EurActiv
After seven years of negotiations, and a bumpy final landing, the European Union and Canada signed a landmark trade deal on Sunday (30 October).
EU recognises right to boycott Israel
29-Oct-2016 Electronic Intifada
The European Union recognises the right of its citizens to boycott Israel, its top foreign policy official has said. This tardy move comes after three member governments — Sweden, Ireland and the Netherlands — already explicitly recognise this right.