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Japan-EU to hold dialogue on free trade
Japan and the European Union will discuss enhanced economic cooperation based on international trade rules in late October. It will be the first ministerial-level meeting under an economic partnership agreement.
EU-US engagement on regulatory issues
Leaked from the European Commission
New briefing note – agricultural investments under international investment law
The number of known investment treaty claims concerning agricultural investments has grown rapidly in recent years. This new briefing note from IIED, IISD and CCSI helps policy makers navigate the challenges.
Singapore, Indonesia ink pact to offer protection, global arbitration access to investors
Singapore and Indonesia signed an agreement to promote and protect investments, with the treaty promising Singapore companies operating in Indonesia protection and access to international arbitration in the event of investment disputes.
Philippines and US aim to announce free trade talks in November
The talks are part of US President Donald Trump’s strategy to pursue bilateral rather than multilateral trade agreements to let Washington secure the best possible deal.
COMESA welcomes SA’s ratification of the Tripartite FTA
South Africa has ratified the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, becoming the fourth country to do so after Egypt, Uganda and Kenya. 10 more ratifications are now needed for the Agreement to enter into force.
NZ plays down threat to European agri interests in FTA talks
New Zealand trade negotiators are trying to get their European counterparts to recognise that the nation’s agricultural exports are small-fry in comparison to the regional bloc’s farming sector.
China-Norway FTA may come next year, ambassador says
In the 12th round of China-Norway FTA negotiations, the two nations discussed goods and service trades and investment, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property, ecommerce, other matters.
Panama and China start FTA third negotiation round
The third negotiation round will aim to advance in barriers and the facilitation of trade, customs procedures, intellectual property and electronic trade.
Trade and patent changes could increase healthcare costs by $100bn, CPHI annual report warns
Patients may need to wait an extra five or 10 years to access generic medicines, which could raise healthcare costs by as $100 billion over the next five years, according to the latest CPhI annual report
Inclusion of Paris Agreement in CETA at risk
France wants to make compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate a precondition to signing European trade agreements. However, this is an issue where France is struggling to get the other 27 EU members to agree.
Lessons for the Left from NAFTA Mark-II
The choice is not between the unilateralism of a populist autocrat, captive of the world’s most powerful corporations, on one hand, and the failed neoliberal model, polished in the TPPA on the other. A few clip-on statements on gender and small and medium enterprises is not a progressive alternative.
EU ready to offer UK ‘super-charged’ free-trade deal
The European Union is set to offer the UK a free-trade deal deeper than any agreement that’s gone before.
US may push Japan, EU not to strike trade deals with China: Ross
The "poison pill" provision to deter trade deals with China in the new US trade agreement with Canada and Mexico may be replicated in future US trade pacts, such as those with Japan and the European Union.
Brazil keen to sign FTA with Bangladesh
The signing of FTA will open a new avenue for Bangladeshi goods in the Latin American country.
US farm chief wants ‘TPP-plus trade deal’
US Agriculture Secretary indicated his desire to demand Japan open its markets more than the extent agreed under the Trans-Pacific Partnership and its economic partnership agreement with the European Union.
Vietnam to approve TPP-11 by November, prime minister says
Hanoi’s ratification would be fourth of six needed for trade deal to take effect.
NAFTA by any other name is still NAFTA
Is USMCA “brand new”? Or is it simply Reagan/Bush/Clinton’s NAFTA with a heavy dose of President Obama’s TPP thrown in the mix, just a rose by another name?
Tanzania ends investment treaty with Netherlands
Tanzania has terminated its Bilateral Investment Agreement with the Netherlands that East African and Dutch civil society had said was biased against the country.
Canada ’caved’ on intellectual property provisions in USMCA trade deal, experts say
Experts are fuming, saying USMCA will hamper Canada’s innovation economy and hike costs to the health care system over patented drugs.