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Ecuador signs free trade agreement with EFTA, launches new tuna brand
2-May-2018 Undercurrent News
The agreement will allow export of shrimp and tuna products to EFTA countries with a zero export tariff.
Parliament ratifies free trade pact
2-May-2018 Ghana Web
Ghanaian Parliament has endorsed the new agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Germany pushes EU trade deal with US in tariffs row as trade war looms
2-May-2018 Daily Express
Germany is pushing a watered-down version of the EU’s Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in a desperate last-ditch attempt to head of a looming trade war between the bloc and Donald Trump’s United States.
Ukraine eyes patent law reform after civil society push on medicines access
2-May-2018 IP Watch
Ukrainian lawmakers are poised to approve sweeping patent reform legislation, driven in large part by a push by patients’ groups for better access to affordable medicines and healthcare.
Charging into UK-US trade pact would be ‘catastrophic error’, warn MPs
2-May-2018 Euractiv
The UK would be making a “catastrophic error” if it charged into talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with the United States without setting out a ‘comprehensive strategy’ for life after the EU, MPs warned in a new report .
US wants 4-year phase-in for higher NAFTA auto content thresholds
2-May-2018 Reuters
The latest US proposal for increasing NAFTA’s regional automotive content would carry a four-year phase-in to meet a higher, 75 percent regional value threshold and new labor content rules requiring substantial work at wages of $16 an hour or higher.
Economics minister in Brazil to boost trade talks
2-May-2018 Swiss Info
Swiss economics minister Johann Schneider-Ammann has arrived in Brazil on a six-day visit to the region aimed at boosting talks on a free trade agreement with the South American economic area Mercosur.
PNG could sign onto Pacific trade pact
2-May-2018 SBS
The PNG government is doing some soul searching over whether to join the Pacer Plus free trade deal and potentially could sign up by the end of the year.
Thailand wants to join TPP ’as soon as possible,’ says deputy PM
2-May-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Thailand wants to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership "as soon as possible," Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told visiting Japanese Economic and Fiscal Policy and Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi who is in charge of negotiations for the pact on Tuesday.
US eager to form trade deal with Japan ’at some point’: USTR
2-May-2018 The Mainichi
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Tuesday expressed eagerness to strike a free trade agreement with Japan "at some point."
Whispers on India joining China’s Belt and Road initiative
1-May-2018 New Indian Express
Did Prime Minister Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping agree at Wuhan that India would quietly join projects linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, while formally opposing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which cuts through PoK?
Investment to top Erdogan’s agenda during South Korea visit
1-May-2018 Hurriyet Daily News
At the top of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s agenda during his upcoming visit to South Korea on May 2-3 will be investments and cooperation in the defense industry, South Korean Ambassador to Turkey Choi Hong-ghi has said.
India must focus on manufacturing turnaround at RCEP talks in Singapore
1-May-2018 LiveMint
The Singapore meeting is significant, for several participants in RCEP are keen to wrap up the negotiations quickly, especially since the negotiations have gone well beyond the original deadline of end-2015.
A new FTA on the anvil between Chile and Brazil
30-Apr-2018 IndraStra
The Chilean President Sebastián Piñera and Brazilian President Michel discussed a proposal for a free trade agreement between Brazil and Chile.
Ukraine, Israel technically initial FTA agreement
30-Apr-2018 Interfax
The agreement foresees the annulment of import duties for 80% of industrial goods from Ukraine to Israel and some agricultural products within quotas.
EU, Mercosur end trade round with little progress, more blaming - Beef volumes ’agreed’
30-Apr-2018 Independent.ie
The European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have made some progress on how to open their markets to cars, but ended free trade talks in Brussels with finger-pointing about who was holding up a deal.
NAFTA officials put top-level talks on hold until May 7 to consult with industry
30-Apr-2018 Reuters
Negotiators trying to hammer out a quick NAFTA deal said they will take a break until May 7, allowing time for consultations with the auto industry in Mexico.
EU upgrades IPR category of PH in terms of protection, enforcement
30-Apr-2018 Manila Bulletin
Despite serious concerns on copyright piracy, the EU has raised the Philippines’ standing from “bad” to “better” in the area of protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Asean leaders deeply concerned about protectionism, say it is urgent to conclude RCEP talks
30-Apr-2018 The Straits Times
Asean leaders last week said they were "deeply concerned" over the rising tide of protectionism and anti-globalisation sentiment, and reiterated their continued support for a multilateral trading system.
BIMSTEC calls for expeditious negotiations on free trade agreement
30-Apr-2018 India Today
The seven-nation bloc BIMSTEC today called for specific steps and greater political commitment to conclude negotiations expeditiously for a free trade agreement.