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Trade deal talks with Qatar from next week
Indian commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal will visit Doha next week to kick off talks for a bilateral trade agreement.
Clive Palmer’s multibillion-dollar claims make a mockery of a tribunal that allows foreign investors to challenge court decisions
The billionaire’s last three cases are part of a growing global list from fossil fuel companies against government decisions to reduce carbon emissions.
AFTINET webinar: ISDS - Fossil fuel companies’ secret weapon against climate action and Clive Palmer case outcome
With COP30 in Brazil around the corner and with the prospect of Australia co-hosting COP31 next year, a major threat to effective climate action continues to fly under the radar: Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms in trade and investment agreements.
EU scrambles to save Morocco deal with controversial Western Sahara clause
After the EU’s top court ruled that the deal breached the principle of self-determination, Brussels was given 12 months to comply.
Ethiopia to begin AfCFTA trade next week ater initial schedule slip
Ethiopia is set to start trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Thursday, 3 October 2025.
US supports one-year renewal of Africa trade pact
The Trump administration has signalled support for a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Nigeria-Singapore and Côte d’Ivoire-Singapore bilateral investment treaties enter into force
The Nigeria-Singapore BIT and the Côte d’Ivoire-Singapore BIT have both entered into force. They establish rules on how Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire should treat investments from Singapore, and vice versa. With these treaties, Singapore companies operating will enjoy enhanced protection of their investments
Thai civil society’s open letter to the European Commission ahead of the next round of FTA negotiations: “trade must advance, not undermine, human rights”
As longstanding advocates of human rights and democracy, the EU can leverage the FTA to spotlight abuses and ensure the respect of rule of law, democracy, and human rights, and ensuring that they remain central to the agreement.
Will Canadian companies respond to widescale public dissent by threatening to sue?
Tens of thousands of people took to the street in a nationwide strike opposing various Canadian-owned mining projects while the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement could be tabled any day now.
India-EFTA trade pact set to become operational on Oct 1
The India-European Free Trade Association’s Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement will officially become operational on October 1, with the four-nation bloc comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
UAE trade agreement to come into effect
The Albanese Government is delivering on its trade diversification agenda through the entry into force of the landmark free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates on 1 October.
RSF and 16 NGOs press Germany, Italy and Czechia to back suspending EU-Israel Association Agreement over abuses of journalists
The EU must send a clear message to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which continues to flout its international human rights commitments and to massacre journalists in Gaza.
Commission pushes EU-Morocco trade deal, ignoring democratic processes and saharawi rights
WSRW can today reveal a leaked EU document showing plans to continue trading with products from occupied Western Sahara, in direct violation of earlier rulings by the EU Court of Justice. A vote will take place this Wednesday.
Kenya takes lead in Africa’s digital trade push under AfCFTA
Kenya is positioning itself as a regional hub for digital trade and payments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a role highlighted during the 2025 World Trade Organization (WTO) forum in Geneva.
Understanding digital services taxes
The US has raised a dispute about the imposition of this tax under “nondiscrimination” provisions of the US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, alleging that these taxes are targeted at US companies.
Singapore inks pact with four European states to boost digital trade
A new agreement between Singapore and the European Free Trade Association is set to boost cross-border data flows for key sectors such as financial services.
Bhutan keen on free trade deal with Bangladesh
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed interest in signing a free trade agreement with Bangladesh and in linking the special economic zones of the two countries.
India-Oman free trade deal yet to clear last hurdle of ‘Omanisation’
Last-mile negotiations are going on over India’s demand for relaxations in the Gulf country’s Omanisation policy which prioritises employment of Omani nationals in the private sector, sources said.
Clive Palmer ordered to pay $13m after claim of being ‘foreign investor’ in Australian mining project thrown out
Attorney general says mining magnate is ‘not a foreign investor’ and is ‘not entitled to any benefits under Australia’s free trade and investment agreements’
French farmers protest against EU-South America trade deal
French farmers staged a protest today outside the Palace of Versailles against the free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trading bloc Mercosur.