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Groups decry ’meaningless’ consultation in Canada-Colombia FTA human rights impact assessment process
26-Mar-2014 rabble.ca
This is the third time the Conservative government has attempted to produce an impact assessment of its 2011 FTA with Colombia, as required by law, and each time the final report has been completely inadequate.
Open letter regarding the future trade and investment agreement between the EU and Egypt
26-Mar-2014 FIDH
In a letter addressed to the representatives of the European Commission, FIDH, CNCD 11.11.11 and Aitec express their concerns on the way human rights are taken into account in the impact assessment regarding the future DCFTA between the EU and Egypt.
After South Africa, Indonesia takes a brave decision to terminate its BIT with the Netherlands
26-Mar-2014 IGJ
Last week, the Indonesian government announced that it will terminate its Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the Netherlands, joining the growing number of countries concerned about the excessive corporate rights enshrined in investment agreements.
Obama is negotiating an agreement that could unleash fracking around the world. See how.
25-Mar-2014 Policy Mic
The translantic trade agreement would undermine hard-fought regulations and open up a large part of the world to greater exploitation without regulation. Fracking would go global.
S2B statement and Burmese CSO letter against EU-Myanmar Investment Treaty
25-Mar-2014 Seattle to Brussels Network
A letter by over 70 Burmese CSOs plus a statement by the Seattle to Brussels Network on the EU-Myanmar bilateral investment treaty negotiations.
Taiwan’s sunflower protests explained
25-Mar-2014 Geopolitical Monitor
This initial act of civil disobedience has blossomed into a wider political movement.
Mexico, Panama finish free-trade talks
25-Mar-2014 Wall St Journal
Mexian President Enrique Peña Nieto called the trade pact "another significant step toward Panama’s future participation in the Pacific Alliance, an inclusion which Mexico supports." The Pacific Alliance is a trade bloc that includes Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
Investor treaties in trouble
25-Mar-2014
Several countries are reviewing these agreements, prompted by the number of cases brought by foreign companies who claim that changes in government policies affect their future profits.
NZ-EU free trade pact under consideration
25-Mar-2014
New Zealand and the European Union are to pursue a free trade pact – but don’t expect any action until at least 2015.
GM canola letter from European Commissioner Tonio Borg
25-Mar-2014 Netzpolitik
Letter from European Commissioner Tonio Borg about authorising genetically modified canola, as part of CETA negotiations
Boediono meets with Netherlands
24-Mar-2014 Jakarta Post
Indonesian VP Boediono met with Dutch PM Mark Rutte on Sunday and explained that Indonesia’s decision not to extend its bilateral investment treaty with the Netherlands was common to all countries with bilateral investment agreements with Indonesia that would soon end.
Petition to President of Taiwan
24-Mar-2014 Change.org
An unjust and undemocratic agreement between Taiwan and China is now in progress. This agreement will significantly threaten Taiwan’s economy, political and economic autonomy, democracy and people’s right.
BD for economic partnership deal with Japan
24-Mar-2014 Financial Express
Bangladesh on Saturday expressed its keen interest in concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan.
Indonesia indicates intention to terminate all of its bilateral investment treaties?
24-Mar-2014 Lexology
According to the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia has informed the Netherlands that it has decided to terminate the Bilateral Investment Treaty between the two nations from 1 July 2015. The Embassy also states that “the Indonesian Government has mentioned it intends to terminate all of its 67 bilateral investment treaties“.
China welcomes Swiss parliament’s FTA approval
24-Mar-2014 Global Times
The decision by the Swiss parliament to approve the Chinese-Swiss Free Trade Agreement (FTA) last week was welcomed by China on Monday.
Civil society groups intensify opposition to EPAs
24-Mar-2014 MyJoyOnline
Economic Justice Network, a body comprising the Christian Council, Trade Union Congress and other civil society groups will next week petition President John Mahama to not sign the Economic Partnership Agreement.
TTIP and the big pharma wish-list
24-Mar-2014 Commons Network
A report by the Commons Network and civil society partners shows that the pharmaceutical industry’s wish list for the TTIP is detrimental for public health, will increase the cost of medicines and undermines democratic processes
Egypt planning negotiations with Russia-led Customs Union over free trade zone
24-Mar-2014 Daily News Egypt
Egypt is exploring the possibility of negotiatng a free trade zone between Egypt and the countries of the Customs Union, which include Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Ukraine crisis gives new impetus to EU-US trade talks, US says
24-Mar-2014 Gulf Daily News
Russia’s annexation of Crimea underlines the need for the United States and the European Union to deepen their economic ties via an ambitious trade deal that would also allow Europe to import US gas, Washington’s top trade official said on Saturday.
Manila, Washington begin consultations on Philippines’ possible TPP entry
21-Mar-2014 InterAksyon
A Philippine government delegation recently met with a top official of the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to explore Manila’s possible participation in a new free trade area that Washington is pushing among Asia-Pacific countries.