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SACU and South America to deepen trade relations
2-Nov-2021 New Era Live
Officials from the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) and the South American-based Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) have reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Gov’t yet to consult with farmers on RCEP
2-Nov-2021 Manila Bulletin
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) urged the Senate to defer the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement pending the conduct of consultations with farmers.
Inside the French push for stronger trade with Kenya
1-Nov-2021 The Star
France-Kenya ties have intensified during the tenures of presidents Kenyatta and Macron. Franck Riester, France Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, is leading a delegation to Kenya for a two-day visit.
India keen to sign pact with Taiwan to secure microprocessor supply
1-Nov-2021 Money Control
India is looking to quickly sign a preferential trade agreement with Taiwan with a special focus on securing a steady supply of microprocessors, electronic components and precision tools, senior officials said.
AfCFTA/China sign MoU on establishing Expert Group on Economic Cooperation
1-Nov-2021 Ghana News Agency
The AfCFTA Secretariat and the Ministry of Commerce of China agreed to establish an Expert Group to collaborate in areas such as experience-sharing on intellectual property rights, digital trade, competition policy, and others.
Prime Minister calls for early review of India-ASEAN FTA
1-Nov-2021 The Hindu Businessline
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for an early review of the ASEAN India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in goods that the country has been insisting on to help Indian businesses gain better market access in the region.
FTAs need to be reworked
1-Nov-2021 The Hindu Businessline
India is currently faced with the challenge of rebalancing its trade strategies because of some significant changes occurring in the global economic environment. Further, India is looking to fast-track its FTA negotiations with countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, the EU, Canada and the UAE.
The Asia-Pacific’s Free Trade Disagreements
1-Nov-2021 The Diplomat
While competition among FTA styles can drive innovation, it does present a key problem for non-super-sized economies: knowing which one to adhere to. For all the new ideas they offer, the various deals available within the Asia-Pacific are often inconsistent and cannot exist comfortably side by side.
Thailand ratifies RCEP pact
1-Nov-2021 Bangkok Post
Thailand has already submitted the ratification for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact and reaffirmed that the world’s biggest free trade deal will come into force on Jan 1 next year as scheduled.
Big Coal tapping obscure treaty could chill green revolution
29-Oct-2021 Bloomberg
Coal plant owners are using this little-known mechanism to try and recoup billions from governments who are forcing them to shut down polluting plants
What EU’s farm-to-fork strategy will mean for SA agriculture
29-Oct-2021 Zawya
The European Union’s (EU) Farm-to-Fork Strategy is set to be implemented in 2022 and will come with an additional layer of regulations.
India-EU trade talks to resume by December
29-Oct-2021 The Hindu
After an eight year hiatus, India and the European Union (EU) are set to resume negotiations for a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) by December, according to a Government official.
France seeks to freeze EU trade talks until after April vote
29-Oct-2021 Bloomberg
New Zealand, Chile talks among those Paris seeks to pause. Trade pacts have been weaponized in previous French elections.
Israel and Australia discuss free trade agreement, boosting trade relations
29-Oct-2021 J-Wire
The two trade ministers agreed on preliminary talks as early as January, with a desire to create new initiatives that will serve as a lever for economic cooperation between the two countries.
Fossil fuel companies claiming 18bn against government climate action in secret courts
28-Oct-2021 Global Justice Now
Courts allow big polluters to sue governments into “a state of climate paralysis”, campaigners say.
Reality check on curbing climate change — trade agreements
28-Oct-2021 The Nelson Daily
Rules accepted under various trade and investment agreements often benefit destructive, extractive industries to the detriment of national and international climate goals and ambitions.
The potential ag trade impact of China’s CPTPP bid
28-Oct-2021 Brownfield
The world’s largest meat importing nation recently submitted a formal application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and it continues to draw a lot of attention.
Ukraine, Israel to hold talks on free trade in services next year - Ambassador Brodsky
28-Oct-2021 Ukrinform
Ukraine and Israel will start negotiations next year on the signing of an agreement on free trade in services, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky has said.
China, Brunei call for RCEP trade agreement’s early entry into force at Asean meeting
28-Oct-2021 Straits Times
Leaders of China and Brunei called for bringing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) into force at an early date.
Thailand starts CPTPP application process driven by fears for inward investment and the economy
27-Oct-2021 Thai Examiner
Just ahead of the ASEAN summit in Brunei came a strong indication that Thailand is taking steps to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.