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India, UK seek to wrap up trade talks before busy election year
5-Dec-2023 Yahoo News
India and the UK have begun crunch-time talks to secure a landmark free-trade deal, as leaders on both sides seek to resolve outstanding issues before they face election battles next year.
New Zealand to put ’every single effort’ into getting free trade deal with India
4-Dec-2023 RNZ
New Prime Minister made the ambitious commitment to conclude a free trade agreement with India within three years.
UAE says it concludes free trade agreement with Colombia
4-Dec-2023 Reuters
The UAE said it had concluded the terms of a trade deal with Colombia, which it called the first such bilateral agreement between the Gulf and South America.
The US push for GMO corn is out to lunch
4-Dec-2023 Common Dreams
So-called “Free trade” promises lower prices and more supply, but it derails food security. Mexico has been fighting this since the United States began a dispute over genetically modified corn.
Macron concerns derail EU-South America trade deal yet again
4-Dec-2023 Yahoo
Le sommet du Mercosur prévu le 7 décembre (2023) est annulé. Ce nouvel échec témoigne de la difficulté pour l’Union européenne de signer des accords de ce type avec des pays éloignés des standards communautaires.
EU-Mercosur deal’s future up to new Argentina government, sources say
4-Dec-2023 Reuters
The European Union and Mercosur will not be able to close their free trade negotiations because Argentina’s incoming government has to approve the outstanding issues, Brazilian officials and diplomats said.
PH and UAE set to embark on a comprehensive economic partnership
4-Dec-2023 Sun Star
On December 2, 2023, The Philippine’s DTI Secretary signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations on a CEPA with the UAE, marking the first step towards a proposed bilateral free trade agreement. The TOR provides guidelines for the negotiations and outlines the scope and coverage of the CEPA.
Pakistan moves closer to signing landmark trade agreement with GCC
4-Dec-2023 Dawn
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reached a consensus on the investment modalities, paving the path for the ratification of a much-awaited free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
S. Korea, Britain to launch talks for FTA upgrade next month
4-Dec-2023 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea and Britain will begin negotiations for upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) next month in response to changing global business circumstances.
Can existing international agreements on ‘investment facilitation’ advance sustainable development, climate action, and human rights?
1-Dec-2023 CCSI
Terminating investment treaties and withdrawing advance consent to ISDS would allow governments to clear the path from problematic treaties centered on investment protection and ISDS, which in practice benefit unsustainable investment.
Looking for lithium in the Andes — Peru is key to India’s Latin America push
1-Dec-2023 The Print
India has been pursuing a trade agreement with Peru since 2017. The two countries held the 6th round of negotiations last month and talks are scheduled to be held again in December.
Sri Lanka eyeing investment only deal with India, RCEP hits roadblock: President
1-Dec-2023 Economy Next
Sri Lanka has started discussions on separate agreements on investment and trade with India and an attempt to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has been hit by a lack of rules to admit new members.
India and EFTA states conclude 20th round of trade talks
1-Dec-2023 Financial Express
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States, comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, recently completed the 20th round of negotiations for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
Vietnam wants to sign foreign trade deal with Türkiye, says prime minister
1-Dec-2023 Anadolu
Vietnam’s prime minister said that they are willing to sign a foreign trade agreement with Türkiye as relations between the two countries are at their peak.
Ministry reports difficulties in next-generation FTA implementation
1-Dec-2023 Vietnam Net Global
Foreign invested enterprises make up the majority of Vietnam’s export turnover of high-revenue products. Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises still mostly do outsourcing, and export raw materials or half-finished products.
When investors subvert states
1-Dec-2023 Project Syndicate
The ongoing lawsuit brought against Honduras by an American company underscores the unjust and undemocratic nature of the investor-state dispute settlement system.
EU, South America near deal on elusive Mercosur trade pact
1-Dec-2023 Yahoo
The European Union and South America’s biggest economies are closer than ever to concluding a major trade agreement more than two decades in the making, with leaders from both regions optimistic they can strike the elusive deal next week.
Dispute settlement mechanisms: BoI asked to show ‘flexibility’
30-Nov-2023 Business Recorder
These directions were issued after threadbare discussion with Saudi Arabia and Qatar which are insisting on the option of international arbitration in a template of Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Mercosur and UAE to begin trade negotiations in the first half of next year
30-Nov-2023 MercoPress
Brazil currently the chair of Mercosur has opened a consultation period until December 18 on a possible trade agreement between the South American block and the United Arab Emirates.
Who knew Queensland’s richest man is a foreign investor?
30-Nov-2023 The Australia Institute
Clive Palmer’s controversial legal strategies challenge Australia’s trade agreements and environmental laws, and have profound implications for global climate action.