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Epidemic sovereignty? Contesting investment treaty claims arising from coronavirus measures
2-Apr-2020 EJIL:Talk!
Allegedly arbitrary or disproportionate measures, albeit in the public interest, provide regular grist for the mill of investment treaty arbitration.
USMCA won’t go into effect in June
2-Apr-2020 Politico
Officials in the US, Mexico and Canada failed to meet a deadline on Tuesday that was necessary for the NAFTA replacement to take effect by June 1.
India’s opposition to CPEC on shaky ground
2-Apr-2020 Asia Times
Speaking during Raisina Dialogue 2020 in January, Indian Naval Chief Admiral Karambir Singh claimed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor impinges on India’s sovereignty.
The shape of a Japan-UK free trade agreement
2-Apr-2020 The Diplomat
Japan and UK reaffirmed their commitment to build the “new partnership as ambitious, high standard and mutually beneficial as the Japan-EU EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement).
Palm oil politics still threaten EU–Malaysia ties
2-Apr-2020 East Asia Forum
The European Union is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner and is its largest source of foreign direct investment, and Malaysia is a major exporter of raw materials to the European Union. But politics over palm oil threaten their relationship.
Covid-19: Why India doesn’t need to worry about investor-State dispute settlement claims
2-Apr-2020 Hindustan Times
In order to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) and to boost the public health care system and preparedness, India has taken several regulatory steps.
Despite impact of virus, Pak-China trade to improve in second half
2-Apr-2020 The Express Tribune
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China discussed some major developments and plans between the two countries, which included joint cooperation to combat locust plague, effect of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and establishment of a meat cold chain.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Data exclusivity and access to biologics
1-Apr-2020 South Centre
The agreement does not promise that the suspended provision on test data rule concerning biological medicines will remain suspended.
Miner South32 files request for arbitration in Colombia royalty dispute
1-Apr-2020 Reuters
Mining company South32 has filed a request for arbitration at the World Bank over a dispute with Colombia concerning royalty payments from its majority-owned Cerro Matoso ferronickel mine:
Support for Kingdom in Russia FTA
1-Apr-2020 Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday said Russian Ambassador to Cambodia Dmitry Tsvetkov has pledged to support Cambodia as it moves towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with the federation.
Could COVID-19 emergency measures give rise to investment claims? First reflections from Italy
31-Mar-2020 GAR
Emergency measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect the economy could lead to claims under bilateral investment treaties.
African Continental Free Trade Area to suffer setback - Mashakada
31-Mar-2020 Bulawayo24
Economist Tapiwa Mashakada has said the African Continental Free Trade Area is going to suffer a serious setback as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hong Kong-ASEAN free trade agreement, investment agreement to take effect for Philippines in May
31-Mar-2020 Xinhua
On trade in goods under the FTA, the Philippines will progressively eliminate and reduce customs duties on goods originating from Hong Kong. On trade in services, Hong Kong service providers will enjoy better business opportunities.
Boris Johnson told to forget trade deal with EU unless he imposes Irish Sea customs checks
31-Mar-2020 Express
Boris Johnson was warned he risks scuppering a trade deal with Brussels if he refuses to implement customs checks in the Irish Sea.
US senators urge coronavirus delay to June 1 USMCA trade deal start date
31-Mar-2020 Reuters
A bipartisan group of 19 US senators urged the Trump administration to push back the planned June 1 start date for the new US-Mexico-Canada trade pact.
Coronavirus: India urges FTA partners to temporarily allow imports without certificate of origin
31-Mar-2020 The New Indian Express
India has urged the countries, with which it has FTAs, to allow imports of goods without certificate of origin are currently not issuing the document on account of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
EU-Vietnam: Council gives final green light to free trade agreement
30-Mar-2020 European Council
The Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam. This decision clears the path, on the EU side, for the entry into force of the agreement.
Brexit: EU-UK meeting to go ahead via video link
30-Mar-2020 BBC
A post-Brexit meeting between the EU and UK will go ahead as planned next week, despite the coronavirus crisis.
Indonesia risks timber trade with EU after scrapping license rules
30-Mar-2020 Mongabay
The European Union is seeking an explanation for Indonesia’s decision to scrap a highly regarded timber legality verification system, which the bloc uses to ensure it imports only sustainably sourced wood products.
Guatemalan water protectors persist, despite mining company threats
27-Mar-2020 Inequality.org
The hard work of protecting water and land from the long-term harms associated with gold and silver mining takes place daily on the frontlines of tenacious struggles throughout Latin America and around the world.