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News from the movements

On track for sustainable trade?
2-Oct-2023 AK Wien
The EU-New Zealand trade agreement from a sustainability perspective.
Energy transition mythbusters: Myth #6
25-Sep-2023 TNI
Investment protection is necessary to encourage energy transition investment.
EU-Mercosur FTA: a political agreement at the expense of farmers?
22-Sep-2023 European Coordination Via Campesina
A leaked version of the Mercosur response to the EU’s FTA joint instrument proposal suggests there are increasing negotiation differences between the two blocks.
Fossil fuel companies have a secret weapon. Here’s how Britain can help take it away from them
14-Sep-2023 The Guardian
Eleven countries have already pledged to exit the disastrous international charter treaty. We must join them.
Karnataka, India: Farmers hold a forum on trade, climate and seed issues
13-Sep-2023 La Via Campesina
The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers’ Movement (ICCFM) held a three-day forum in Bengaluru to discuss ongoing trade negotiations in which India is engaged and the impact of the climate crisis on Indian agriculture, among other issues.
Canada: NFU calls for fair and just international trade systems
12-Sep-2023 La Via Campesina
On this September 10th 2023, the NFU stands united with our allies in La Via Campesina calling for fair and just international trade systems.
La Via Campesina is determined to build an alternative framework for global trade in agriculture – written by the peasants, for the people
11-Sep-2023 La Via Campesina
The peasants, small-scale food producers, wage and migrant workers and indigenous communities of La Via Campesina will draft an alternative trade framework, leveraging our collective knowledge of agriculture and food trade to ensure no one goes hungry.
Preliminary summary comments on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Supply Chain text (Pillar 2)
9-Sep-2023 AFTINET
This text deals with the focus of IPEF, which is to reduce supply chain dependence on China and to create alternative networks of supply chains and prevent disruptions.
Position paper on indigenous peoples’ rights and protections
7-Sep-2023 Ngā Toki Whakarururanga
Ngā Toki Whakarururanga brings a Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspective to the trade policy space, which requires the Government of New Zealand to uphold and actively protect Māori rights to exercise authority over our lands, waters, resources and all taonga. That includes for IPEF.
Egregious corporate attacks on public interest policies
31-Aug-2023 Public Citizen
Many free trade and investment agreements allow multinational corporations to undermine democracy via a secret pseudo-court system known as Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).
Unravel neoliberal trade: a failed solution to food sovereignty
31-Aug-2023 APWLD
APWLD produces the briefing paper to unpack the understanding of CSOs and movements on how neoliberal trade and investment agreements, and how the current system are undermining food sovereignty and women’s human rights while cementing corporate power.
How the US can enforce an “unenforceable” IPEF
29-Aug-2023 Third World Network
The proposition that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity will not be enforceable is an illusion.
The US Congress’s role in the IPEF and the possibility of a US “certification” requirement before the IPEF enters into force
29-Aug-2023 Third World Network
Pillar 1 of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity is entitled “Trade” and is expected to have binding and enforceable trade-related commitments.
Nothing to lose but your supply chains: IPEF and the resilience agenda
23-Aug-2023 Ibon International
Trade justice activists slammed the lack of transparency in the IPEF negotiation process. Social movements have showing resistance to demand prioritising labour, climate justice, and human rights over corporate profits in Indo-Pacific trade talks.
Call to action: 10 September 2023 – International day of action against the WTO and free trade agreements
22-Aug-2023 La Via Campesina
It has been twenty years since the World Trade Organization’s imperialist, neoliberal and neo-colonial free trade policies led to the sacrifice of one of our peasant leaders at the gates of the Ministerial meeting venue in Cancun, Mexico.
US escalates trade dispute over GM corn, challenges Mexico’s food sovereignty
18-Aug-2023 IATP
US Trade Representative office’s move to form dispute resolution panel lacks justification according to experts.
India’s experience with investment treaty disputes and related damages
17-Aug-2023 Madhyam
The experience with investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms has been mixed, with India facing several adverse awards and financial compensation in certain high-profile cases.
RWE’s arbitration case against Dutch state over coal ban inadmissible under EU law
28-Jul-2023 SOMO
Dutch taxpayers have already incurred € 5.4 million in arbitration costs in RWE and Uniper cases.
What future for seeds under the African Free Trade Area?
21-Jul-2023 GRAIN
The African Union is putting the finishing touches to the draft protocol on intellectual property rights to the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Biden should use the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity to free the hemisphere from ISDS
21-Jul-2023 Common Dreams
One of the most controversial aspects of the hyperglobalization era, investor-state dispute settlement elevates multinational corporations and foreign investors to equal status with national governments.