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Protecting human and environmental rights in international investment agreements
9-Aug-2021 East Asia Forum
Human rights experts are particularly concerned about the asymmetric nature of the system and a lack of investors’ human rights obligations. Together with high ISDS costs and arbitral awards, they undermine states’ ability to realise economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.
Thailand and EU resume free trade agreement negotiations
9-Aug-2021 Illinois News Today
Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) seven years after the collapse of negotiations in 2014 after a military coup in Thailand.
XL pipeline absurd $15 billion NAFTA ISDS claim
7-Aug-2021 Public Citizen
TC Energy expects to get 15 times more money, coming from taxpayers’ pockets, than the asset losses it experienced from the revocation of a permit, that was already denied twice.
How ‘blood mineral’ traders in Rwanda are helping fund Congo rebels – and undermining global supply chains
6-Aug-2021 The Globe and Mail
New evidence from a UN report and a high-profile investor arbitration case is casting a spotlight on Rwanda’s role in sophisticated smuggling networks that extract gold and coltan from Congolese conflict zones and funnel the strategically important minerals illicitly into global supply chains.
Pathways to just, equitable and sustainable trade and investment regimes
6-Aug-2021 SSRN
The paper suggests ten principles that fair trade movements could use when they think about their approach to international trade and investments.
Ecuador awaits Mexico’s response to negotiate the FTA, says minister
6-Aug-2021 Market Research Telecast
Ecuador is waiting for a response from Mexico to return to the negotiating table for a free trade agreement between the two that opens the long-awaited path to the Pacific Alliance.
Income tax bill fails to address international arbitration, will continue fight: Devas
6-Aug-2021 The Week
An arbitration tribunal in 2020 awarded Devas more than $111 million plus interest in retro tax case.
Australia makes fresh push for free trade deal, sends former PM Abbott to talk to Modi govt
6-Aug-2021 The Print
Australia is keen to deepen our trade and investment links with India, and take the economic relationship to the next level.
Switzerland and Thailand seek to boost business ties
6-Aug-2021 Swiss Info
Switzerland and Thailand have expressed interest in starting negotiations for a free trade deal, according to his office, with technical talks underway at the level of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
India to scrap retrospective tax law in olive branch to global firms
6-Aug-2021 Reuters
India proposed scrapping a controversial law that taxed companies retrospectively, a move that could potentially settle its multi-billion-dollar tax cases with Cairn Energy and Vodafone.
Thailand, Australia mull economic deal
6-Aug-2021 Bangkok Post
Thailand and Australia have agreed to pursue a strategic economic partnership to boost bilateral trade and investment, with the deal expected to be signed next year.
Negotiations on Canada–Ukraine Free Trade Agreement expansion nearing completion
5-Aug-2021 Ukrinform
Ukraine and Canada are in the final stages of negotiations to expand the Free Trade Agreement to cover services and investment.
Pakistan to terminate 23 bilateral investment treaties
5-Aug-2021 The Express Tribune
Decision aimed at avoiding international arbitration with foreign firms .
Vicat takes dispute with Egyptian state to international arbitration
4-Aug-2021 Global Cement
France-based Vicat raised a case against the Egyptian government with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in late June 2021. It concerns its cement production business.
Experts seek AfCFTA dispute resolution mechanism for non-state parties
3-Aug-2021 The Guardian
Ahead of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) implementation in Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and other stakeholders are seeking dispute resolution mechanisms that will address concerns of non-state entities.
Brexit: Western Sahara indy campaign takes UK Government to court
3-Aug-2021 The National
A CAMPAIGN group backing independence in Western Sahara is to take the UK Government to court over a post-Brexit trade agreement with Morocco.
Biden administration launches initiative to build US-Africa trade
3-Aug-2021 Voa
The administration of US President Joe Biden has kicked off the Prosper Africa Build Together initiative by requesting $80 million from Congress to build trade and investment between the US and Africa.
’We want an Aussie-style agreement’
3-Aug-2021 Dairy News
What happens in the next six weeks will be critical for New Zealand to secure a free trade agreement with the UK, according to the executive director of the Dairy Companies Association.
Corporate courts vs the environment
3-Aug-2021 Al Jazeera
Corporate courts were invented to protect the West’s control of the world against decolonisation. They are now undermining attempts to halt climate change.
DEPA lacks added value
3-Aug-2021 East Asia Forum
There is minimal value added by DEPA, even as a pathfinder for e-commerce proponents in the WTO and APEC. For critics of the TPP and CPTPP’s one-sided rules, DEPA reflects a wasted opportunity.