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Mexico trade official hits Dems for opposition to new NAFTA
6-May-2019 The Hill
Mexico’s top trade negotiator said he hopes congressional Democrats can “appreciate” what Mexico’s reforms mean for labor rights throughout the continent.
Trade pact with Europe could be hurt by climate action infighting: McKenna
6-May-2019 Chronicle Journal
Canadian dithering about climate action could put France’s support for the Canada-Europe free trade agreement at risk, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says.
Continental free trade pact comes into effect June
6-May-2019 Business Daily
Supporting instruments to facilitate the launch of the operational phase of the AfCFTA need to be finalised, including rules of origin, schedules of tariff concessions on trade in goods.
Indonesia, South Korea target to complete IK-CEPA talks this year
6-May-2019 The Jakarta Post
Indonesia and South Korea aim to complete negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) this year to boost bilateral trade and other economic relations.
Turkey, Bosnia sign revised free trade agreement
3-May-2019 AA
Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday signed a revised free trade agreement and a memorandum of understanding on the Sarajevo-Belgrade Highway Project.
New report exposes mining companies suing Latin American countries where communities defend land and environment
2-May-2019 Mining Watch
We analyzed 38 multi-million dollar claims brought by the mining industry using ISDS and other investment protection laws; in over half, communities are fighting to protect Indigenous territory, water, and more.
Interview with Ken Ukaoha
2-May-2019 bilaterals.org
Ken Ukaoha is the president of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and shares his view on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Belarus to help advance EAEU-Serbia free trade zone negotiations
2-May-2019 Belta
Belarus supports the idea of creating a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Serbia and will help advance these negotiations.
Canadian mining companies are behaving badly in the Global South—and Wall Street is profiting from it
2-May-2019 Behind the Numbers
Canadian investors have frequently used the ISDS system to pursue their commercial interests abroad—too often to challenge responsible government policies taken in the public interest in developing countries.
Women’s rights vs corporate rights
2-May-2019 Indybay
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, known as ’RCEP,’ is a huge free trade agreement with potentially dire consequences for millions of women around the world.
Deal or no deal? US and Chinese sides resume trade talks
2-May-2019 USA Today
US and China are locked in a standoff over the Trump administration’s charges that Beijing steals technology and forces foreign companies operating in China to hand over trade secrets
India, Iran may hold next round of negotiations for trade agreement in May
2-May-2019 The Economic Times
Senior officials of India and Iran are likely to hold fifth round of negotiations for a bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA).
Japan-US trade deal: three factors complicate an FTA
2-May-2019 Forbes
As President Trump prepares his push for a bilateral trade agreement with Japan, the path forward is complicated by at least three factors.
Compatibility with EU law is not real issue with ISDS
30-Apr-2019 EU Observer
But legality should not be our main concern here. There are much better approaches to international investment and we should be considering them.
EU top Court misses opportunity to protect democracy in EU-Canada trade ruling
30-Apr-2019 Client Earth
In a disappointing judgment, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has ruled today that the investment court system in the Canadian EU trade agreement (CETA) is compatible with EU law.
The ECJ verdict changes nothing – ISDS may not be illegal but it is immoral
30-Apr-2019 Stop ISDS
The judgement is disappointing but The case against ISDS (or its rebranded version ICS) has never been primarily a legal one. It is a moral one.
Mexican Senate passes labor bill, key to approving new NAFTA
30-Apr-2019 Reuters
The bill enshrines the right of Mexican workers to organize and gives them more control over their contracts.
Africa Continental Free Trade Area to enter into force in July
30-Apr-2019 CGTN
The African Continental Free Trade Area will officially enter into force during the next Extra-Ordinary Heads of State and Government summit slated for 7th July 2019 in Niamey, Niger.
Meet the new NAFTA — same as the old NAFTA
30-Apr-2019 The Hill
The USMCA simply follows the failed model of prior free-trade agreements adopted over the past 25 years, which facilitate corporate offshoring to low-wage countries while undermining democratic power.
Pakistan for early convening of next TIFA round
30-Apr-2019 Business Recorder
Pakistan has sought an intensified engagement with the US in the economic and trade cooperation, emphasising the need for early convening of next round of Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).