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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.
Canada seeks to expand trade with MERCOSUR
3-May-2017 Prensa Latina
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’’s Government is debating the most essential issues for a free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market.
European Free Trade Association reports on trade talks
3-May-2017 Tax-news
The European Free Trade Association, which comprises Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, has published its 56th Annual Report, which includes details of the bloc’s free trade agenda.
Canada to see some ’modest’ gains from trade deal with Europe: budget watchdog
3-May-2017 CBC
’CETA will lead to some gains for Canada, but they will be modest,’ report concludes.
Uganda: Japan pushes for trade agreement with Uganda
3-May-2017 All Africa
Japan is pushing for a bilateral agreement with Uganda in a bid to expand and strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.
RCEP: Corporations could sue governments
3-May-2017 AFTINET
ISDS is increasingly being used by global corporations to challenge health, environment and other public interest laws.
High Court the final authority? Think again
2-May-2017 Sydney Morning Herald
US mining company Nucoil is using a free trade agreement to put pressure on the Australian government to pay compensation over cancelled licences.
Trump’s poisoned TTIP chalice
2-May-2017 ECFR
The prospect of reopening trade talks with the US puts the European Union in an invidious position.
Interview with Elizabeth Swager and Julia DeGraw
2-May-2017 bilaterals.org
Elizabeth Swager is a National Organizing Director at Citizens Trade Campaign and Julia DeGraw is the Senior Northwest Organizer at Food & Water Watch.
Negotiations this week on EU-Myanmar Investment Protection Agreement
2-May-2017 European Commission
Negotiators discussed the EU’s reformed approach to investment protection and investment dispute resolution.
India to seal pact with Russia-led grouping
2-May-2017 The Hindu
India is set to formalise a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, clearing the decks for negotiations on deepening trade relations with the five former Soviet republics.