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Next EU- Philippines FTA talks to tackle agriculture, procurement
11-May-2026 Philstar Global
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines will tackle chapters on agriculture and government procurement in the next round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks.
EU-India trade deal raises new concerns for Bangladesh apparel sector
11-May-2026 Banglanews24
Bangladesh’s apparel exporters are facing fresh concern after the European Union and India reached a free trade agreement, a development industry leaders say could intensify competition in Bangladesh’s largest garment export market.
Resisting the weaponization of interdependence
7-May-2026 Focus on the Global South
The unilateral actions by Trump in the US have exposed a highly skewed system where powerful economies essentially flex their muscles and weaponize trade instruments like tariffs to suit their own economic and political agendas.
CEPR applauds Colombia for advancing investor-state dispute settlement talks but flags concerns over diluted conference outcomes at Santa Marta
7-May-2026 CEPR
The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) commends Colombia for its leadership in advancing discussions over investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in recent weeks.
US and others propose e-commerce pact as WTO deadlock deepens
7-May-2026 Reuters
The US and a group of countries are planning to press ahead with their own moratorium on e-commerce duties ‌if Brazil and Turkey continue to oppose an extension of a global deal at World Trade Organization talks on Wednesday, a draft document shows.
Costa Rica becomes 13th member of CPTPP
7-May-2026 RNZ
Costa Rica has become the thirteenth member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Kazakhstan, China to strengthen investment protection framework
7-May-2026 Trend
The Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (the lower house) has ratified the Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the Government of China on the promotion and mutual protection of investments.
EU negotiators fail to agree on US trade deal
7-May-2026 Politico
Talks between the bloc’s three institutions were inconclusive, despite President Donald Trump’s threat to hike auto tariffs.
Cattle producers beefing over push for South American free trade deal
7-May-2026 CBC
Talks with Mercosur must exclude beef or Canada will be ’flooded with cheap imports,’ association says.
US-Bangladesh trade deal may obstruct Bangladesh’s renewable energy growth
7-May-2026 TBS News
The US - Bangladesh agreement risks locking Bangladesh into costly LNG dependency, potentially undermining its renewable energy goals and energy security, especially given current renewables capacity of just 1,743 MW—mostly reliant on Chinese solar tech.
Trade officials meet in bid to finalise US-Thai agreement
7-May-2026 Bangkok Post
Thai commerce minister has held talks with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) in a bid to conclude negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement to ease tariff pressures.
Pakistan, US agree to continue trade talks
7-May-2026 Dawn
Pakistan and the US have agreed to continue ongoing negotiations on outstanding matters under an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), as Washington is asking Islamabad to increase imports to narrow the existing trade imbalance.
What the Bangladesh-Japan trade agreement means for our bio-cultural resources
7-May-2026 The Daily Star
The signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at the end of the interim government’s tenure has sparked much debate, with concerns that this agreement could put the country’s sovereignty, agriculture and food systems, traditional knowledge, economy, and intellectual property rights at risk.
Amid West Asia crisis, EU seeks quick FTA deal with Malaysia
7-May-2026 Free Malaysia Today
The European Union (EU) wants to expedite negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia to make its energy supply chain more resilient amidst the West Asia crisis.
Unpacking the ASEAN–Canada FTA negotiation
7-May-2026 Transnational Institute
The ASEAN-Canada FTA is one of the agreements currently being negotiated that includes an investment protection chapter with an ISDS mechanism. This briefing note summarizes the October 2025 webinar, “Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (external link) ”, which examined the impact of ISDS and highlighted Canadian mining practices through emblematic ISDS cases.
India, South Korea likely to hold FTA review talks on May 25
7-May-2026 The Economic Times
India and South Korea will meet on May 25 to review their economic partnership agreement. India has proposed negotiating a new bilateral trade agreement. This aims to address the widening trade deficit. The two nations seek to double their commerce by 2030. They also want a more balanced trade relationship.
Thailand, US move ahead on reciprocal trade deal, says Suphajee
7-May-2026 The Nation Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand and the United States have agreed to move forward with talks on a reciprocal trade agreement after discussions with senior US trade officials.
India, Canada kick off second round of free trade talks
7-May-2026 Gulf News
India, Canada eye deeper energy, minerals cooperation alongside CEPA talks. India’s major imports from Canada include pulses, fertilisers, mineral fuels, wood pulp, gems and precious stones, aircraft parts, machinery parts, and iron and aluminium scrap. India’s IT sector is the main contributor to services exports to Canada.
Armenian government approves draft law ratifying free trade agreement between Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia
7-May-2026 Arka
Armenian government approves draft law ratifying free trade agreement between Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia.
India-UK FTA may come into force mid-May
7-May-2026 Financial Express
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CETA) is likely to come into force from the second week of May as the ratification process and completion of other legal requirements enter into the final stage, according to an official.