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Client alert: What are the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for States and investors under the Energy Charter Treaty
22-May-2020 Lexology
The COVID-19 pandemic has led States to adopt various public health measures that adversely affect foreign investors and exacerbate broader economic issues. In this climate, there is significant potential for disputes under the ECT.
Termination of intra-EU bilateral investment treaties – What’s next for investor claims?
22-May-2020 Sidley Austin LLP
Investors nonetheless may be well advised to consider restructuring intra-EU investments through third countries to ensure treaty protection for the future.
Coal generator uses investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phaseout
22-May-2020 Climate Change News
Uniper is using a controversial investor dispute system to claim up to €1 billion compensation for being forced to close a coal power station early.
Phase One US-China trade deal fails in energy and beyond
22-May-2020 Forbes
The Phase One trade deal had China committing to $30 billion in energy purchases. But US energy exports to China actually shrank by 33% in Q1.
Argentina reaffirms commitment to Mercosur but remains cautious about EU accord
22-May-2020 MercoPress
The Mercosur agreement with the EU will be subject to Parliament approval while Argentina is not interested in the South Korea deal, says Argentine Foreign Minister.
Farmers urge UK government to protect food standards in post-Brexit trade bill
22-May-2020 The Guardian
Union and consumer groups warn post-Brexit trade policy must hold food imports to same standards as UK.
Virus-fueled protectionist mode derails RCEP
21-May-2020 Business Mirror
It might be difficult to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of this year as planned, as parties are moving toward the direction of protecting their supply chains to the detriment of free trade.
Negotiations for PTA and FTA with South American nations through video conferencing
21-May-2020 Financial Express
Trade negotiations with South American nations – Chile & Peru will be now through video conferencing, as airports of these countries remain closed due to the global pandemic COVID-19.
US, UK talks off to a good start
20-May-2020 Politico
Officials from the US and United Kingdom made progress on a number of areas over the past two weeks of negotiations and are moving forward at an “accelerated pace,” UK’s international trade secretary said.
UK publishes draft EU free trade agreement in bid to break Brexit negotiations deadlock
20-May-2020 Evening Standard
Move comes ahead of fourth round of UK-EU negotiations scheduled for June 1.
How capitalism and other viruses are ravaging the Global South
19-May-2020 Jacobin
The economic hegemony exerted by the trade regime — and related financial structures — mirrors and extends old colonial patterns of exploitation and dispossession. Its policies represent our “normal.”
Cashing in on the pandemic: How lawyers are preparing to sue states over COVID-19 measures
19-May-2020 TNI
As governments take action to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent economic collapse, they could face multi-million dollar lawsuits.
EU-UK FTA: UK draft text (May 2020)
19-May-2020 UK Government
Exclusive: Countries to face a ‘wave’ of corporate lawsuits challenging emergency COVID-19 measures
19-May-2020 Open Democracy
Research claims top law firms are preparing to ‘cash in’ on the pandemic by helping corporations sue states for measures that have impaired profits.
Trade deals are a handbrake on New Zealand’s post-Covid recovery
19-May-2020 The Spinoff
The ‘spend local’ mantra should apply to our biggest infrastructure projects too. Yet trade and investment agreements curb the government’s freedom to use procurement for a range of economic and social objectives.
China will welcome India back to negotiations on RCEP: Wang Shouwen
19-May-2020 Big News Network
China will welcome India back to negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at an appropriate time.
Import substitution and the need for well negotiated trade agreements
18-May-2020 Nile Post
The Ministry of Trade should ensure that eventual agreements promote Uganda’s aspiration for industrialisation and provide the policy space for government to be able to use a range of trade policy instruments.
Ukraine, Turkey continue preparing free trade agreement despite COVID-19
18-May-2020 Ukrinform
The global coronavirus pandemic has not stopped the negotiation process for the signing of Ukraine-Turkey Free Trade Agreement.
Free trade and Mercosur on the agenda for the German EU Presidency
18-May-2020 Euractiv
The resumption of negotiations on the controversial Mercosur agreement and trade policy with the United States are among the priorities of the German EU Council Presidency.
Yukos shareholders seize Russian vodka assets in the Netherlands
18-May-2020 Reuters
Shareholders in the now defunct Russian oil giant Yukos have seized Netherlands-based assets of two well-known vodka brands controlled by the Russian state in their most recent legal move to obtain $57 billion in damages from Moscow.