bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles


India unveils a power-packed FTA calendar: UK, Oman, New Zealand deals next
India has outlined an aggressive rollout timeline for a series of free trade agreements (FTAs), signalling a strong push to deepen global trade ties in 2026.
Suspend EU-Israel trade agreement
Israel is committing heinous violations of international law against Palestinians and in Lebanon with impunity, and has just adopted a death penalty law targeting Palestinians.
UK-Israel trade deal ’must be scrapped’
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has demanded Keir Starmer withdraw from the UK-Israel trade agreement, in the aftermath of Israel’s continued illegal airstrikes on Lebanon.
UAE-Azerbaijan CEPA officially enters into force
A comprehensive trade agreement between the UAE and Azerbaijan has officially come into force, aiming to deepen economic ties, expand investment flows and widen market access between the two countries.
South Korea recovers record 9.6 billion won in ISDS case
The Ministry of Justice announced on the 15th that the South Korean government has fully recovered litigation costs from Schindler, a Swiss global elevator company, following its victory in an Investor-State Dispute Settlement case filed by the firm.
Investor protection blocking climate action
From 24-29 April 2026, Colombia and the Netherlands are co-hosting the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta. The goal is urgent and widely shared: to accelerate a just and orderly phase-out of coal, oil and gas.
About 350 ex-ministers, diplomats call for suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement
While global attention is diverted, Israeli government has escalated its ’illegal occupation policy’ and human rights violations to intolerable level, say signatories.
Dutch real estate giant fails in EUR 425 million arbitral claim against Romania
Plaza Centers’ major dispute with Romania over a stalled development project, which has involved dual arbitrations, has seen ICSID dismiss the company’s claim on jurisdictional grounds.
The EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Investment Protection Agreements
The EU-Indonesia CEPA and IPA aimed to enhance trade and investment while promoting "sustainable" palm oil. However, reduced tariffs on forest-risk commodities and lack of community safeguards highlight the urgent need for strict enforcement of EU due diligence regulations to protect forests and local communities.
India may go slow on trade deal till US mid-term polls
India is likely to stall for time in its trade negotiations with the US when negotiators meet in Washington soon, as it wants the upcoming US mid-term elections to provide clarity on the American legislative landscape
EU citizens’ petition to suspend Israel trade deal hits one million signatures
A European Citizens’ Initiative demanding the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement has crossed the one million signature threshold, organizers announced.
First round of India-Canada FTA talks in April-May
The first round of India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations will take place in April or May, following preparatory virtual talks. Both countries aim to conclude the agreement by the end of 2026, targeting a doubling of bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030.
Malaysia, EU to continue fourth round of FTA talks in June
The fourth round of the Malaysia–European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) negotiations will be hosted by Malaysia in June 2026, building on significant progress made in previous rounds on trade, investment, and sustainability standards.
Europe must address ISDS as a systemic barrier to a just transition
Current discussions around fossil fuel phase-out create a key opportunity to make progress on addressing this barrier. Civil society organisations are calling on European governments to explore and act on collectively disengaging from ISDS.
Australia-EU FTA text only partly released: some positives but full analysis after full text released in September
The general framework of the agreement is to remove tariffs and minimise regulation for business, with exceptions intended to preserve government rights to regulate in key areas.
Explained: Why investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) matters for the energy transition
Around the world, governments are at risk of being sued if they enact climate policies that may affect fossil fuel companies’ profits.
S. Korea to expand FTA with emerging markets to diversify supply chains: finance chief
South Korea aims to expand its free trade agreement network with emerging markets, such as Latin America and Africa, in its latest effort to diversify supply chains.
Rwanda joins visa-free Africa wave as AU mobility push gathers pace
Rwanda’s visa-free access for Africans deepens a continent-wide shift toward open borders, boosting tourism, trade and AfCFTA-linked mobility from West to East Africa.
Spanish PM urges EU to suspend Association Agreement with Israel
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel, given its continued bombardment of Lebanon and actions in Gaza.
Switzerland aims to finalize US tariff accord by the end of July
Switzerland aims to finalize a US trade deal by the end of July, with the European nation pushing for assurances it won’t face higher duties than rival countries.