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Mercosur leaders look to close EU deal despite Macron’s resistance
2-Jul-2020 Reuters
Mercosur ministers reported progress on the final text of a trade agreement with the European Union on the eve of a summit meeting overshadowed by French President’s latest comments against the deal.
How CPEC left behind the people of Gwadar
2-Jul-2020 The Diplomat
The locals of Gwadar have little to show from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – except for broken promises.
Thailand prepares to sign RCEP pact minus India
2-Jul-2020 The Star
Fifteen Asia-Pacific countries will sign the RCEP trade pact by the end of 2020 but India will not be among them.
New NAFTA trade deal deepens oil and gas dependency during climate crisis
1-Jul-2020 Desmog
The deal provides loopholes for oil, gas, and mining companies to operate across borders, and paves the way for US companies to export even more fracked natural gas across the border into Mexico.
Putting sombreros on par with Champagne
1-Jul-2020 Politico
The European Union mulls protecting handicrafts in the same way as gourmet food amid a push from Latin American countries.
EU-Vietnam free trade deal to take effect 1 August
1-Jul-2020 Seafood Source
The free trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam, known as EVFTA, will come into force on 1 August, according to a Vietnamese government statement on 18 June.
Africa free-trade vision clouded by virus and pace of talks
1-Jul-2020 Yahoo
A historic deal to smash down tariff barriers within Africa is being braked by the coronavirus pandemic and a thicket of negotiating problems.
Switzerland — UK to negotiate a bilateral financial services agreement
1-Jul-2020 MENAFN
Cross-border financial services trade between the UK and Switzerland is set to become easier, thanks to a commitment signed June 30.
New North American trade deal launches under growing threat of disputes
1-Jul-2020 Reuters
The revamped trade pact between the United States, Canada and Mexico taking effect on Wednesday was meant to create a kind of fortress North America, boosting the region’s competitiveness - but cracks are already starting to show in the foundation.
Timeline: The long bumpy road from NAFTA to USMCA
1-Jul-2020 Reuters
After an long, arduous road the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement replaced its predecessor, the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Following are key moments in the history of the deal since 1990.
Morocco’s new model BIT: Innovative features and policy considerations
1-Jul-2020 IISD
In the face of the increasing number of claims brought by investors against host states on the basis of BITs and the exorbitant amounts awarded to investors, Morocco has undertaken a review of its model BIT using a flexible and rational approach.
China-Taiwan trade pact fails to deliver 10 years on
30-Jun-2020 Nikkei Asian Review
A decade on from the signing of what amounts to a free trade agreement between Taiwan and China, the economic integration it was meant to accelerate remains a long way off.
UK-US trade: New body to advise on welfare and competition in farming
30-Jun-2020 BBC
Farmers have welcomed plans for a new body to advise ministers on welfare standards and fair competition in trade deals with the US and other nations.
UK sets September deadline for EU trade deal
30-Jun-2020 Euractiv
The UK has earmarked September as its deadline for agreeing on a new trade deal with the EU after negotiators held their first face-to-face meetings since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
China delivers further tariff slap to Aussie grains sector
30-Jun-2020 Queensland Country Life
The China - Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has not been enough to protect Australia’s grains industry from China raising import tariffs on barley and sorghum.
S. Korea, Russia hold 5th round of FTA talks on service, investment
30-Jun-2020 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea and Russia started another round of negotiations to clinch a free trade agreement (FTA) in the service and investment sectors.
Brexit: Face-to-face trade talks between UK and EU begin in Brussels
29-Jun-2020 BBC
Face-to-face negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU have begun in Brussels, after the teams pledged to "intensify" talks.
Time to rethink – Stop the EU-Mercosur agreement!
29-Jun-2020 S2B Network
265 civil society organisations call on the Federal Governments and the EU Commission and EU-Parliament to reject this agreement!
Planned EU trade deal with Mercosur threatens climate, environmental protection and human rights
29-Jun-2020 CIDSE
The agreement could have serious ecological and human rights repercussions, new study warns.
Kenya eyes e-commerce investments in US pact
29-Jun-2020 Business Daily
Kenya plans to gradually relax its regulations of the digital market to ease entry of US firms and products.