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Challenges and opportunities for EU-Mexico trade relations
In early May, the Brussels think tank CEPS and the Spanish bank BBVA organised a meeting between high-level representatives from the EU and Mexico aiming to review the EU-Mexico trade relationship
Philippines, Peru set to engage in FTA talks
The Philippines is set to engage into free trade agreement talks with Peru, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
Processing requirements ’off the table’ in CETA spat with Ottawa: Darin King
A dispute between the Newfoundland and Labrador government and Ottawa surrounding the Canadian European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA) was reignited Tuesday, with the province saying it will not relinquish authority over minimum fish processing requirements.
China-led lender adds urgency to Japan’s pursuit of pan-Pacific trade pact
"If the new Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank goes ahead and TPP fails .... perception-wise it will hurt in the leadership contest for the Asia-Pacific," a Japanese government source told Reuters.
TTIP – now it gets political
In a series of forthcoming votes, the European Parliament and US Congress are turning their attention to an agreement that is becoming more toxic with every passing day.
Paul Krugman: Pacific trade deal will fail without established trust
Instead of addressing real concerns, the Obama administration has been dismissive, trying to portray skeptics as uninformed hacks who don’t understand the virtues of trade. But they’re not: The skeptics have on balance been more right than wrong.
Sitharaman-EU trade commissioner meeting next week on FTA
India Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet her EU counterpart Cecila Malmstrom next week to take stock of the proposed FTA at political level, an EU envoy said, stating that taxation will not be part of the trade deal’s coverage.
Intellectual property issues viewed as last TPP hurdle
Trade negotiators for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in Guam are now focusing on intellectual property issues, which appear likely to be the last hurdle to concluding the talks.
EU dropped pesticide laws due to US pressure over TTIP, documents reveal
EU moves to regulate hormone-damaging chemicals linked to cancer and male infertility were shelved following pressure from US trade officials over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) free trade deal, newly released documents show.
Action: Call on MEPs to firmly reject special rights for foreign investors!
Join this e-action on the European Parliament, asking MEPs to pledge that they will reject ISDS in TTIP. The action is going to run until the vote in the plenary on 10 June and is available in 9 languages.
Korean government criticized for lack of transparency on ISDS suit
While the South Korean government is facing its second international arbitration under the investor-state dispute settlement system, civic groups are demanding that the details should be made public as they could cost several billion dollars of taxpayers’ money.
EU committment to Pacific trade despite EPA stall
The European Union’s ambassador to the Pacific says the EU is still committed to trade relations with the Pacific, despite stalled negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement.
Switzerland to upgrade existing trade agreements
Switzerland has expressed interest to upgrade its Bilateral Investment Treaty with Sri Lanka.
Stopping the corporate power grab — it’s not all just about TTIP
In the rush to oppose TTIP we mustn’t lose sight of the context in which the deal is being negotiated — the hundreds of bilateral treaties that give corporations the right to sue in secret ’trade courts’.
Russian PM approves free trade zone deal between EEU, Vietnam
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved a free trade zone agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and Vietnam.
China, Colombia launch free trade talks
China and Colombia have agreed to conduct a feasibility study on an FTA.
Sold down the Yangtze: Canada’s lopsided investment deal with China
In Sold Down the Yangtze, investment treaty expert Gus Van Harten offers a searing critique of Canada’s 31-year investment deal with China, which could end up costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
NZ hands tied on foreign home buyers under Korea FTA "bungle"
South Korea-based buyers may have open access to New Zealand’s housing market assured under a new trade deal, prompting warnings it could undermine New Zealand’s sovereignty.
Ethiopia signs 1.1 mln. Euro agreement with Comesa
Ethiopia signed Friday a grant agreement of 1.1 million Euros with COMESA to finance its regional integration programmes.
COMESA economic investment forum in Egypt next October
“We are studying establishing a unit at GAFI to provide economic and investment information to African countries,” says investment minister