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Brazil fears agriculture protectionism amid pandemic: draft report
5-May-2020 Reuters
The report urges Brazil to go further in signing more trade agreements, to ensure favorable market access for its farm products.
US firms give condition for free trade deal with Kenya
5-May-2020 Business Daily
American firms have asked Kenya to fix its intellectual property laws as one of the conditions for backing the “model trade agreement” being negotiated by the two states.
EU scrutiny of GM food is not negotiable
5-May-2020 Friends of the Earth Europe
74 NGOs have written to the EU Commission to demand that genetically modified crops are not pushed onto Europe’s fields and plates as part of a trade deal with the USA.
US-United Kingdom trade negotiations: Private sector priorities
5-May-2020 US Chamber of Commerce
The US Chamber of Commerce urges negotiators to consider its objectives, as part of the US and UK free trade agreement.
EU-Mexico trade deal prompts French farming backlash
5-May-2020 Euractiv
While the world is busy dealing with the coronavirus health crisis, the European Union and Mexico concluded talks on a new trade pact, provoking strong reactions.
Singapore minister says RCEP trade deal on track for year-end signing
5-May-2020 The New York Times
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal is still on track to be signed by the end of 2020, Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said.
PHL-South Korea FTA moves despite virus
5-May-2020 Business Mirror
The Philippines is pushing on with negotiations to conclude its FTA with South Korea, but the trade deal’s finalization has been moved to November.
e-Commerce free trade agreements, digital chapters and the impact on labour
4-May-2020 ITUC
A comparative analysis of treaty texts and their potential practical implications.
China trade deal turns from key Trump asset to an albatross
4-May-2020 Bloomberg
Trump raised concerns of a resumption of economic hostilities with China, threatening to withdraw from the trade deal if Beijing’s purchase pledges come up short.
Post-Brexit trade deal talks with US to begin this week
4-May-2020 Morning Star
Britain will begin the first round of post-Brexit trade deal talks with the US this week as the government seeks to strike an "ambitious" relationship which "opens up new opportunities" to UK businesses.
’Reckless’ to restart US-UK trade talks in midst of pandemic, campaigners say
4-May-2020 Global Justice Now
Coronavirus has exposed the flaws in the pro-corporate agenda that this trade deal is intended to entrench.
AfCFTA postpones launch date as focus turns to curbing virus
4-May-2020 The East African
However member states have yet to make a formal statement and arrive at a consensus pointing to a postponement.
EU and Mexico announce the finalization of an updated free trade agreement
4-May-2020 JDsupra
The EU and Mexico have agreed to eliminate customs duties on practically all goods, to enhance and facilitate digital trade, and have taken on new obligations on good regulatory practices.
RCEP nations offer India package to return to negotiating table
4-May-2020 The Economic Times
Members of the trade bloc urged India to convey its initial response to the package by May 15 as the Indo-Pacific region braces for a post-Covid-19 economic order.
Relations between Cambodia and China soar to greater heights
4-May-2020 Khmer Times
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia said the second round of FTA negotiation had just taken place through the teleconference and both sides had reached broad consensus.
Singapore in touch with Mercosur bloc on FTA talks after Argentina pullout
4-May-2020 Straits Times
Singapore said that it is in contact with South American bloc Mercosur after a member state pulled out of talks on new free trade agreements (FTAs) that the group is negotiating beyond the region.
EU-Mexico agreement: Serious concerns for European civil society
30-Apr-2020 Global Campaign
European civil society organisations are deeply concerned about the renewal of the European Union-Mexico trade agreement.
EU plans to reform Energy Charter Treaty falling short, activists say
30-Apr-2020 Euractiv
An updated European Commission proposal to reform the Energy Charter Treaty is falling short of what’s needed to reinstate governments’ “right to regulate” in areas like climate change, activists say.
Sustainable regulation and trade agreements for the EU-UK relationship
30-Apr-2020 Trade Justice Movement
The Trade Justice Movement has published model Sustainable Regulation and Trade Agreements for the EU-UK relationship, which have been developed in partnership with trade unions, environmental organisations and justice groups.
Report on the seventh round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand
30-Apr-2020 European Commission
The seventh round of EU-New Zealand trade negotiations was held virtually, but covered all substantial areas.