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NZ’s embarrassing TPP overtures to the US
10-Dec-2012 Scoop
Among the analysts and lobbyists floating around the Sky City Convention centre and adjacent Sky Grand hotel foyer, there has been general agreement that no marked progress has been made in Auckland on the core issues in contention – and as a consequence, the TPP can will be kicked down the road again to the next meeting in March 2013.
Policing of TPP protest was provocative and plain stupid
10-Dec-2012 Tangatawhenua.com
With tensions running high after the refusal of TPP organisers to accept the 750,000 international petition against the negotiations the police action added insult to injury.
The emerging crisis of investment treaties
10-Dec-2012 South Centre
This issue of South Bulletin focuses on the emerging crisis of investment treaties. An epidemic of international legal suits taken by companies against governments for billions of dollars is causing public concern and leading to reviews of international investment treaties.
Bilateral investment: A drag on the developing world
10-Dec-2012 Rediff
The ongoing dispute between the GMR group and the Maldives government over the investment for an airport in Male brings focus on a recent discussion at the World Trade Organisation public forum, and which was followed by an article by Martin Khor, executive director of Geneva-based South Centre.
‘Its high time to agree on BIT’
10-Dec-2012 APP
The United States Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson, has called for early conclusion of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
Protests turn violent at trade talks in New Zealand
10-Dec-2012 AFP
A protest aimed at disrupting Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks in New Zealand turned violent as demonstrators attacked security forces, police said.
New free trade agreements threaten financial reforms
10-Dec-2012 SOMO
While financial reforms are ongoing in the EU and many other countries, little attention is paid to free trade agreements that continue to liberalise financial services as well as restrict regulatory freedom (‘policy space’) and controls on capital movements.
Will the Pacific trade deal protect workers?
8-Dec-2012 AJE
Al Jazeera ask if the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations have rendered democratic decision-making irrelevant.
S. Korea to prioritize FTA with China
7-Dec-2012 Yonhap
South Korea will prioritize the conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with China over a possible trilateral free trade deal that further encompasses Japan, Seoul’s top envoy to Beijing has said.
Hazards in Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs): Investors’ rights v. public health
6-Dec-2012 South Centre
Developing countries that have signed BITs should start a process of review and eventual renegotiation or denunciation, writes Carlos Correa
A free-trade agreement with Europe?
6-Dec-2012 Washington Post
Clinton is said to envision an “economic NATO” — a comprehensive agreement between the US and the EU covering trade in goods, services, investment and agriculture.
The evils of bilateral investment treaties – Analysis
6-Dec-2012 IDN
While multinational corporations such as Philip Morris dispose of the financial means to pay for elite law advice, developing countries don’t.
Canada-China investment treaty should be delayed – Suzuki
6-Dec-2012 Beacon News
Should the government of Canada sign agreements if they subject our workers to unfair competition from lower-paid employees from investor nations, hinder our ability to protect the environment or give foreign companies and governments excessive control over local policies and valuable resources?, asks David Suzuki
TPP vs. RCEP: A new Washington-Beijing tug-of-war?
6-Dec-2012 The Nation
How the Thai government navigates the contest between the United States and China in the economic sphere will be a litmus test of Thailand’s diplomatic and political skills.
The public must be heard on free trade proposals
6-Dec-2012 The Nation
With Thailand set to join numerous trading blocs, it is essential that the govt opens a public discussion, as this issue will affect everyone
Thailand: Cabinet approves EU FTA talking points
6-Dec-2012 Bangkok Post
The framework of the Thai-EU free trade agreement will be scrutinised by parliament as required by the charter before bilateral talks on 17 trade issues can proceed.
Colombia FTA with EU may increase money laundering: Report
6-Dec-2012 Colombia Report
A free trade pact between the EU, Colombia and Peru will increase the risk of illegal money flows and capital flight, said a report Wednesday from a group of Members of the European Parliament.
EU-Ukraine FTA (draft, 2012)
6-Dec-2012 Kyiv Post
Cuando la injusticia es negocio
5-Dec-2012 Transnational Institute / Corporate Europe Observatory
Un pequeño grupo de firmas de abogados, árbitros y especuladores financieros internacionales está alimentando un auge del arbitraje de inversiones que cuesta a los ciudadanos miles de millones de dólares de sus impuestos e impide que se adopten leyes en pro del interés público
Putting a Spotlight on the Arbitration Industry
5-Dec-2012 Triple Crisis Blog
“There is little use in going to law with the devil while the court is held in hell.” These words from an unlikely source – Humphrey O’Sullivan, a 19th Century Irish schoolmaster – became a widely used argument by multinational companies in the last decade as they justified the construction of an international arbitration system to decide state-investor disputes.