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European cities and regions rally to stop TTIP
26-Apr-2016 EU Observer
A network of European cities and regions have called on the EU to suspend current trade negotiations and to refrain from ratifying the recently finished EU-Canada trade agreement.
At least 35,000 protest in Hanover a day before Obama visits Germany to promote TTIP trade deal
25-Apr-2016 Business Insider
Some 35,000 people marched through the streets of Hanover to protest against a sweeping European-US trade deal.
New GMOs are ’not GM’ - EU folds under US pressure
25-Apr-2016 The Ecologist
The EU Commission has caved in to US pressure in TTIP trade talks by deciding to consider organisms modified by new ’gene editing’ techniques as non-GM - in violation of the EU’s own laws.
RCEP members issue ultimatum to India
25-Apr-2016 InSerbia
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has issued an ultimatum to India, saying that New Delhi should cut tariffs on most products as soon as possible or leave the talks on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Iceland agrees with CJEU, excludes Western Sahara from trade deal
25-Apr-2016 WSRW
All four members states of the EFTA free trade association conclude in the same way as the Court of Justice of the European Union. Goods from Western Sahara cannot be inluded in free trade agreements with Morocco.
RCEP talks could affect startups by allowing patenting of computer software
25-Apr-2016 The Economic Times
Several startups and civil society members fought hard over the last year to prevent the allowing of software patents in India.
Trade unions sound alarm over FTAs; say hitting economy
25-Apr-2016 Financial Express
Raising concerns over trade negotiations with regional blocs like RCEP, trade unions have asked the government to stop all talks for free trade pacts while asserting that such pacts are hurting the country’s economy.
China, India show their hands on investor access
23-Apr-2016 Scoop
New Zealand trade officials have seen offers on terms for investment access for the first time from a number of Asian nations, including China, in negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
RCEP - draft investment chapter (October 2015)
22-Apr-2016 KEI
As leaked by KEI
RCEP draft text for investment chapter, October 16, 2015 version
22-Apr-2016 KEI
Overall, the investment chapter is designed to give private parties the right to extract costly damages from governments that implement policies that harm profits.
Public procurement could be next TTIP deal breaker
22-Apr-2016 EurActiv
As EU-US negotiators prepare for a new round of transatlantic trade talks in New York next week, officials fear TTIP might run into a new brick wall: Public procurement.
Maori leaders dismiss TPP at Northland hui
22-Apr-2016 NZ Herald
Northlanders delivered on being the most raucous opponents to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, during a Government jaunt to Whangarei to promote the deal.
Gov’t abandons plans for TPP ratification during current Diet session
21-Apr-2016 The Mainichi
The government and ruling parties have given up on passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact and related bills during the current ordinary Diet session.
Dutch court overturns $50 billion ruling against Russia in Yukos case
21-Apr-2016 New York Times
In a major victory for the Russian government, a Dutch court overturned an award of more than $50 billion to former shareholders of the defunct oil company Yukos.
New threat against affordable medicines in trade negotiations with India and ASEAN
21-Apr-2016 MSF
Access to affordable medicines could be severely restricted for millions of people around the world under the current proposals in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement?
RCEP - draft IP chapter (15 Oct 2015 version)
21-Apr-2016 KEI
As published by KEI
RCEP: The other closed-door agreement to compromise users’ rights
21-Apr-2016 EFF
A secretive trade agreement currently being negotiated behind closed doors could lay down new, inflexible copyright standards across the Asia-Pacific region. If you are thinking of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, think again—we’re talking about the lesser-known Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). While RCEP doesn’t include the United States, it does include the two biggest Asian giants that the TPP omits—China and India.
Press Release: RCEP Asia’s mega-regional FTA means mega impact for people in India and the region
21-Apr-2016 Forum Against FTAs
As the 12th round of trade negotiations for the RCEP commence in Perth (Australia) from 22 April onwards, several civil society organisations in India have raised concerns around transparency and possible negative impacts on several issues ranging from access to medicines, tax policy, investor rights and farmers access to seeds.
Europe’s regulations at risk
20-Apr-2016 Pardee School of Global Studies
On Friday, April 22, President Barack Obama is joining other world leaders in signing the Paris climate accord. But on the following Monday, April 25, Obama will meet with European leaders to promote the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Farming risks being used as bargaining chip in EU trade deals
20-Apr-2016 Farmers Weekly
Concern is mounting that agriculture could be used as a bargaining chip in two large free-trade deals currently being negotiated by the EU.