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Fresh push for states to ratify the tripartite FTA as deadline draws near
The deadline set by the Tripartite Council of Ministers for member States of three regional economic blocs to sign and ratify the tripartite free trade area lapses this month.
ACP-EU countries conclude second round of talks on a new ambitious partnership
This new phase of the negotiations will ultimately lead to the creation of tailor-made pillars with each region, which are among the novelties to be introduced in the future ACP-EU Agreement.
Uzbekistan, South Korea to conclude free trade agreement
Uzbekistan and South Korea will work on the conclusion of a free trade agreement to expand bilateral economic and trade relations.
Independence and impartiality of arbitrators in investor-state arbitration: perceived problems and possible solutions
The principle that adjudicators must be independent and impartial is at the core of any adjudicatory mechanism. It plays an important role in Investor-State arbitration, where arbitrators typically sit for a short amount of time and are not career judges.
2019: USTR takes aim at European countries over pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies
In its latest report on foreign trade barriers, the USTR, prompted by the pharmaceutical industry, takes aim at the pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies in the European Union.
Negative list makes debut in FTA talks
China used the negative list system for the first time to conduct negotiations on service trade and investment during the second phase of China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement talks.
China’s construction binge spreads to Americas, rattles US
China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders since the 19th century have seen as off-limits to other powers.
CETA: Demande de transparence en matière de coopération réglementaire votée à l’unanimité
Le Parlement de Wallonie a adopté une proposition de résolution amendée relative à la transparence en matière de coopération réglementaire dans le traité de libre-échange entre l’Union européenne et le Canada, le fameux CETA.
Indonesia blocks imports, EU scrambles
In a dramatic escalation in the war over palm oil, Indonesia has upped the stakes and this week tightened imports of European spirits as a direct response to the Renewable Energy Directive Delegated Act.
Pak-Iran FTA draft likely to be signed this month
Pakistan and Iran are most likely to finalise the draft for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the two-day talks on April 22-23 to be held in Islamabad.
S. Korea to resume talks with Indonesia on FTA
South Korea will hold its first negotiations with Indonesia in five years to forge a bilateral free trade deal later this month.
Xinhua headlines: New Zealand PM’s China visit to promote ties, boost cooperation under BRI
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying New Zealand welcomes investment from Chinese enterprises and pledging to create a favorable business environment without discrimination against any enterprise from any country.
Myitsone dam is now a sovereignty issue
Public opposition to the controversial Myitsone Dam project is gaining momentum ahead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s upcoming visit to China.
UN special procedures mandate holders’ letter to UNCITRAL WG III on ISDS reform
We wish to express our overarching concerns that international investment agreements and their ISDS mechanism have often proved to be incompatible with international human rights law and the rule of law.
Call for mobilization to defend our alternatives against the G7
France is the host country of the next G7 meeting to be held in Biarritz from 24 to 26 August 2019. Actions are planned during the week preceding this summit, from 19 to 23 August.
Top House Democrat cites labor, enforcement concerns on new NAFTA
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers could not take up the replacement for NAFTA unless Mexico passes legislation protecting workers’ rights. She also cited concerns over enforcement provisions, among other issues.
Sweden hopes to increase commercial relationship with Ecuador
The parties expressed their interest in exploring the possibility of initiating negotiations of a bilateral investment agreement.
PBO report shows that new NAFTA provisions threaten Pharmacare, says Council of Canadians
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) revealed that new intellectual property provisions in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement would cost Canadians as much as $169 million more per year for pharmaceutical drugs
Implementation of AfCFTA in Nigeria will increase unemployment among farmers – NANTS warns
The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has warned that the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in Nigeria would increase unemployment among farmers, and farm workers in the country.
Africa’s free trade deal reaches required minimum ratifications
The Gambia became the 22nd country to ratify the agreement effectively helping meet the minimum threshold.