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Indonesia’s response to coronavirus threatens to increase illegal logging
29-Apr-2020 Fern
It is critical that the EU, which is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with Indonesia, uses these negotiations to ask how Indonesia will protect forests, mitigate climate change and respect community tenure rights.
EU, Mexico conclude talks to update free trade deal
29-Apr-2020 Reuters
The European Union and Mexico finalised a major upgrade to their free trade deal after the two sides agreed to grant reciprocal market access to each other’s tenders for public contracts.
ASA, USSEC submit comments to USTR on US-Kenya trade agreement
29-Apr-2020 American Soybeans Association
US Soybean Export Council and the American Soybeans Association wants the inclusion of provisions on agricultural biotech in the US-Kenya agreement.
China eyes further Northeast Asian economic integration in RCEP
29-Apr-2020 China Business Review
Stepping into the role that the United States could have had at the helm of TPP, Beijing has offered a deal that puts it firmly in a leadership role. Through RCEP, the future of the broader Asia-Pacific economy has a diminished role for the United States.
EVFTA to be submitted to 9th National Assembly session for approval
29-Apr-2020 Vietnam Plus
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee has agreed that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will be submitted to the upcoming 9th NA session for approval.
Thailand shelves Asia-Pacific trade pact membership decision
29-Apr-2020 Free Malaysia Today
Thailand’s cabinet will not consider on Tuesday whether Thailand will seek membership of an Asia-Pacific trade agreement due to widespread opposition.
UK ready for US trade talks
28-Apr-2020 Politico
The UK is “actively discussing” with USTR and the Commerce Department how to move quickly on bilateral trade talks, the UK’s new ambassador to the US said.
Divided and running out of time: Why the EU-UK trade talks have stalled, again
28-Apr-2020 Euractiv
UK officials insist that “constructive discussion” took place between the two sides, but their basic lines remain unchanged: it will not agree to alignment with EU law and to jurisdiction of the ECJ.
Free-trade talks continue despite the pandemic
28-Apr-2020 Khmer Times
Cambodia is closer to inking trade deals with developed economies despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
US should avoid phased approach in trade talks with Kenya: Chamber of Commerce
27-Apr-2020 Reuters
The United States should work to achieve a single, comprehensive agreement with Kenya that removes barriers to trade and investment, instead of pursuing a phased approach, the US Chamber of Commerce said.
Mexico says auto factories to reopen with virus safeguards
27-Apr-2020 New York Times
The announcement came three days after the US government launched a campaign to get Mexico to reopen plants, suggesting the supply chain of the North American free trade zone could be permanently affected.
Africa’s free trade agreement gets locked down for the year
27-Apr-2020 Daily Maverick
The AfCFTA has been put on ice until the coronavirus has been defeated, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA secretariat says.
Argentina to exit Mercosur trade talks to focus on problems at home
27-Apr-2020 Financial Post
Argentina has decided to withdraw from ongoing trade negotiations with regional bloc Mercosur as it turns its focus on the growing economic crisis at home.
UN tribunal rules against Canada’s Edgewater in legal battle with Spain
27-Apr-2020 Mining.com
An arbitration tribunal ruled against Canadian company Edgewater Exploration in its long-standing legal battle with Spain related to the Corcoesto gold project in the northwestern region of Galicia.
New N. America trade deal to take effect July 1: US
27-Apr-2020 RFI
The new free trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada will enter into force on July 1, the office of the US trade representative said.
Second round of post-Brexit trade talks makes limited progress
27-Apr-2020 Outlook India
The first week of talks on a permanent post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom ended with "limited progress" and vast differences remained.
India skips another round of RCEP trade talks
27-Apr-2020 The Mainichi
India sat out the latest round of negotiations for an envisioned 16-nation regional free trade agreement.
Cabinet to mull joining Pacific trade pact
27-Apr-2020 Bangkok Post
The Commerce Ministry is pushing for cabinet approval for Thailand’s bid to join the (CPTPP) amid fierce opposition from civil groups which have argued the move will have an adverse impact on food security and access to medicines.
Why China – not the US – remains key to Asia’s trade and economic recovery after Covid-19
27-Apr-2020 South China Morning Post
China’s economy is expected to grow this year, it is capable of generating the jobs and trade needed for recovery, and looks ready to lead. In contrast, the US economy is shrinking and champions of free trade and investment are lacking.
Thailand loses US free trade benefits worth billions of baht
27-Apr-2020 The Thaiger
Thailand loses duty free access for 42.2 billion baht in exports to the US market from today, unless the kingdom committed to labour rights reforms.