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We demand trade justice reject RCEP and corporate trade deals
4-Nov-2019 Focus on the Global South
Trade Justice Pilipinas have come out on the streets over the last few weeks to lead various protest actions across the region against the RCEP—touted as the biggest regional free trade and investment deal.
Joint leaders’ statement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
4-Nov-2019 ASEAN Secretariat
The Heads of State/Government of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand released a statement on the RCEP
No RCEP is better than a bad deal for India
4-Nov-2019 Forum For Trade Justice
The Forum for Trade Justice is of the opinion that the Government of India should not agree to the RCEP as it will be a bad deal for democracy, for farmers, workers.
NZ-China FTA upgrade negotiations conclude
4-Nov-2019 Scoop Parliament
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker have announced the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade New Zealand’s existing free trade agreement with China.
Congress to stage protests against RCEP across State
3-Nov-2019 The Hindu
The Congress has decided to hold protests across the State against the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement that is expected to be signed by India soon.
RCEP to commit to signing free trade deal in 2020: source
3-Nov-2019 Kyodo News
Leaders from 16 Asia-Pacific nations including Japan, China and India are likely to declare early next week their intent to give up achieving their goal of finalizing a free trade deal by the end of this year.
Unions call on government of India to withdraw from mega economic treaty RCEP
3-Nov-2019 Trade Justice Unions
Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have called on the Government to withdraw from the RCEP negotiations due to concerns over its possible negative impacts on workers and the economy.
RCEP ministers fail to reach agreement
3-Nov-2019 Bangkok Post
Ministers from 16 Asia-Pacific nations failed to reach an agreement on creating the world’s largest free trade area at their meeting, a Thai negotiator suggested, but some are optimistic about the chances of a deal by year-end.
AfCFTA phase 1 negotiations: Issues and challenges for Eastern Africa
1-Nov-2019 TWN Africa
This study identifies issues and challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a focus on East Africa.
RCEP deal: Japan tries to convince China to relax demands on India
30-Oct-2019 The Hindu Business Line
Sections of Indian industry, farmers and dairy sector have expressed concerns over the mega trade deal.
Why Australia and India haven’t settled an FTA yet
30-Oct-2019 The Diplomat
It has been more than eight years since Australia and India began negotiations on a free trade deal, but the two countries have yet to reach a settlement that both New Delhi and Canberra feel comfortable with.
RCEP trade agreement will be a third ‘Jolt’ to Indian economy, says Congress
30-Oct-2019 Bloomberg Quint
The Congress has claimed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, likely to be signed by India next month, would be a “jolt” to the country’s economy.
New AFTINET fact sheet: The impact of trade and investment rules on public health
30-Oct-2019 AFTINET
Trading away our health: How trade and investment rules put corporate rights ahead of public health.
EU-Mercosur FTA: Tariff schedule (Oct 2019)
30-Oct-2019 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina
As released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Argentina
It’s time to scrap the Energy Charter Treaty
30-Oct-2019 Euractiv
The EU taxpayer is the main loser from the continuation of the Energy Charter Treaty which locks Europe into carbon and energy injustice at a high cost to taxpayers.
Trade agreements pre-empt sissent: An interview with AFTINET’s Dr Patricia Ranald
30-Oct-2019 Sydney Criminal Lawyers
Interview with AFTINET convenor Dr Patricia Ranald about how the ISDS regime developed, the reasons why these mechanisms are so detrimental, and the impact the TPP-11 agreement could have on Australia.
House Dems after meeting with Richard Trumka: No vote on Trump’s NAFTA if worker concerns go unaddressed
30-Oct-2019 The Intercept
AFL-CIO President met with House Speaker and Ways and Means Chairman to hash out labor’s concerns in ongoing discussions over President Donald Trump’s renegotiated NAFTA deal.
Michel Barnier tells UK: ignore EU regulatory standards at your peril
30-Oct-2019 The Guardian
EU Brexit negotiator links free-trade deal with the UK to workers’ rights and environmental protection.
Activists demand Trade Democracy at the site of Peterloo
30-Oct-2019 Trade Action Blog
200 years ago, democracy activists died in Manchester, while peacefully campaigning for the vote. On the bicentennial of the massacre, activists protested against the threat to democracy from the corporate court system.
New Delhi keen for early conclusion of India-European Union free trade agreement
29-Oct-2019 DNA India
Modi, while speaking to the European MPs, called for "early conclusion of a fair and balanced BTIA" which he had termed a "priority for the government."