bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

Mexico, Canada stress common front in NAFTA talks
26-Jul-2018 AP
Mexican and Canadian officials said that talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement will remain a three-way negotiation, despite suggestions by US President that he might pursue separate trade deals with both countries.
RCEP: People’s movements resist free trade agreement
26-Jul-2018 Peoples Dispatch
Organizations across the Asia Pacific region have come together to oppose the secrecy surrounding the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
African free trade agreement splits private sector groups
26-Jul-2018 Vanguard
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria urges the government not to bow to pressure into signing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement without addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders.
Trump relents on EU car tariffs, as US-China fight derails Qualcomm deal
26-Jul-2018 Reuters
US-EU talks would seek to eliminate trade barriers for non-automotive industrial goods, and transatlantic trade in services, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical products. Europe agreed to increase purchases of US liquefied natural gas and soybeans.
Public hearings on CPTPP to run nationwide from August
25-Jul-2018 Bangkok Post
Public hearings will be held in all regions throughout Thailand to gather feedback from all stakeholders on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Oral Statement: Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) for the 23rd round RCEP negotiation, Bangkok, Thailand, July 23rd, 2018
25-Jul-2018 IGJ
Redlines for investment provision in RCEP negotiation
Africa free trade not for Nigeria now
25-Jul-2018 Punch
Because Nigeria does not quite have the infrastructure and capacity to efficiently manufacture most of its consumer needs, AfCFTA may stunt Nigeria’s quest to migrate from perpetually exporting primary goods and importing manufactured products, for which labour suffers the most assault.
Small–scale farmers of Africa and Denmark reject free trade agreements
25-Jul-2018 La Via Campesina
Free trade agreements on farm products benefits primarily transnational corporations and furthers the industrialisation of agriculture. All at the expense of local food production.
RCEP negotiation must stop, demands Assembly of the Poor, Thailand
25-Jul-2018 La Via Campesina
Free trade negotiation never benefits the poor. But it gives opportunities for the capitalist transnational corporations to control and dictate the food and agriculture systems absolutely.
EU fisheries deal with Morocco sparks criticism over inclusion of Western Sahara waters
25-Jul-2018 Forbes
A fresh legal row may be brewing over the EU’s trade links with Morocco, after the two sides finalised a controversial new fisheries agreement, following almost three months of negotiations.
Freeland calls for NAFTA review of “unfair and illegal” US solar panel tariff
24-Jul-2018 iPolitics
Canadian Foreign affairs minister is asking for a NAFTA review into what she calls “unfair and illegal” 30 per cent American tariffs imposed on Canada’s solar panel manufacturers.
Pacific Alliance, Mercosur explore trade ties
24-Jul-2018 Latin Finance
The heads of state from Mercosur’s member nations will attend high-level talks with the Pacific Alliance trade bloc.
EU tones down hopes of Mercosur deal by September
24-Jul-2018 Euractiv
Despite EU and Mercosur countries remaining committed to reaching a trade agreement, the European Commission did not endorse the South American bloc’s target to reach an agreement by September.
Merkel hopes for trade deal amid Trump’s tariffs threat
24-Jul-2018 Axios
Angela Merkel badly wants a trade deal to prevent Trump from carrying out his threat to put 25% tariffs on car imports into the US.
Mexican leftist appeals to ’anti-establishment’ Trump, seeks NAFTA deal
24-Jul-2018 Reuters
Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sent US President Donald Trump a letter urging a swift end to NAFTA negotiations
RCEP has human rights concerns: Women’s groups
24-Jul-2018 APWLD
The women’s groups strongly reject RCEP as it reinforces a destructive development model that the existing free trade agreements and the policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation have inflicted upon the world’s poor and particularly poor women.
Singapore, South America customs union Mercosur launch free trade negotiations
24-Jul-2018 The Straits Times
Singapore and the South American customs union Mercosur have started negotiations for a free trade agreement.
RCEP agreement puts future of Thai people at risk
24-Jul-2018 Bangkok Post
The Thai government is about to enter a trade deal that could seriously harm the reform agenda and deprive communities of the ability to make decisions for fear of violating investors’ rights.
US courts allies with free trade offers at G20, France resists
23-Jul-2018 Reuters
The United States sought to woo Europe and Japan with free trade deals to gain leverage in an escalating tariff war with China but its overtures faced stiff resistance from France at a G20 finance ministers meeting.
Top Japanese official has no interest in trade deal with just the US
23-Jul-2018 Bloomberg
Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga says US should return to TPP.