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European Parliament gripes against a France Insoumise MEP
12-Sep-2018 Euractiv
The attempt by the European Parliament administration to exert pressure on a tweet on the EU-Japan trade agreement shocked MEP Younous Omarjeee, who condemned this as an attack on freedom of expression.
Canada ready to allow US dairy access in NAFTA talks: sources
12-Sep-2018 Reuters
Canada is ready to offer the United States limited access to the Canadian dairy market as a concession in negotiations to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement.
’Moving into the heart of negotiations’ for Africa’s free trade agreement
12-Sep-2018 RFI
Some general concerns centre on the potential impact a continental free market could have on particular sectors of national economies.
Extended monopolies on biologic drugs – A warning to developing countries
12-Sep-2018 IP Watch
The United States has throughout history been the principal demandeur of maximalist intellectual property, backed by a powerful pharmaceutical lobby.
EU’s Juncker eyes Africa free trade pact
12-Sep-2018 Reuters
The European Union could one day look to take advantage of African efforts to forge a free trade area within the continent to work toward a comprehensive continent-to-continent free trade agreement.
The real problem with free trade
11-Sep-2018 Project Syndicate
Free trade has enabled a few companies to secure monopolies or near-monopolies, which has given rise to massive inequalities.
Mexico adds rule of origin exception into Colombia FTA
11-Sep-2018 Just Style
Mexico has implemented a temporary exception to the rules of origin for textiles and apparel in its free trade agreement with Colombia.
Labor drops opposition to Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal
11-Sep-2018 The Guardian
Caucus and shadow cabinet agree to pass TPP, but also change the way Australia negotiates on trade.
Talks over trade deal with South Americans continue amid opposition from EU farmers
11-Sep-2018 Independent.ie
EU Commission officials are in Montevideo in Uruguay to reconvene the trade talks with the Mercosur trading bloc.
Freeland to head back to Washington Tuesday for high-level NAFTA negotiations
11-Sep-2018 The Globe and Mail
The two sides have so far been unable to break an impasse over, among other issues, US access to the Canadian dairy market, a cultural exemption for Canada and the Chapter 19 dispute resolution mechanism.
US, EU aim to ease some trade barriers by November
11-Sep-2018 AP
US trade officials say they hope to reach an agreement with the European Union on lifting some technical barriers to trade between the two powers by November.
ISDS reforms shove human rights under corporate red carpet
11-Sep-2018 APWLD
“We call on our governments to either address the real reasons why ISDS is fundamentally flawed or to abandon its ‘reform’ agenda that is designed to reinforce and re-legitimise a self-serving investment dispute system.”
Singapore, Indonesia agree to conclude talks on investment treaty before October leaders’ retreat
10-Sep-2018 The Straits Times
Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to conclude talks on a bilateral investment treaty between their countries before their leaders hold a retreat next month.
Joint feasibility study on FTA with Bangladesh
10-Sep-2018 Daily FT
Next round of negotiations on Thai FTA in two weeks. Joint feasibility study on FTA with Bangladesh to be implemented soon.
S. Korea, Mercosur to hold first trade talks in Uruguay
10-Sep-2018 Yonhap
South Korea and the South American trade block Mercosur will launch their formal trade negotiations in Uruguay.
Ecuadorian trade minister hopes to have EPA with Japan
10-Sep-2018 Japan News
Ecuadorian Foreign Trade and Investments Minister Pablo Campana expressed his intention to have an economic partnership agreement with Japan
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rules against Ecuador, favors Chevron
10-Sep-2018 TeleSur
Ecuador will be forced to pay economic reparations to the oil giant. The over 30,000 affected people in the Amazon haven’t received any compensation.
NAFTA end game: the predictable and perilous trade-offs facing Canada
10-Sep-2018 Behind the Numbers
Canada has been under intense pressure to make irreversible concessions affecting a broad range of issues.
RCEP countries open to easing investment rules, agree to ease ISDS clauses
10-Sep-2018 Business Standard
In a bid to fast-track the deal, most nations have agreed to ease the investor-state-dispute settlement (ISDS) clauses.
Letter of solidarity with the victims of Chevron
10-Sep-2018 CDES
The signatories of this letter wish to express their rejection of this decision and their support for the people of Ecuador and the organizations that have defended the communities affected by Chevron Texaco.