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Stop the “modernised” global and free trade agreement between the European Union and Mexico
21-May-2026 European Trade Justice Coalition
We, the civil society organisations who have signed this letter, are writing to the political leaders of Mexico and the European Union to urge them not to ratify either the “modernised” Free Trade Agreement.
Ukraine is set to conclude a free trade agreement with Serbia
21-May-2026 The Odessa Journal
In addition to the EU, Ukraine is working on integration and the conclusion of free trade agreements with the countries of the Western Balkans. In particular, a free trade agreement with Serbia is planned to be concluded in the coming months.
UK trade deal with Gulf turns a blind eye to human rights abuses, say campaigners
21-May-2026 Trade Justice Movement
The deal locks the UK into deeper commercial ties with some of the most repressive governments in the world, for economic gains so marginal they barely register.
UK strikes £3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states
21-May-2026 The Guardian
The UK has struck a trade deal with six Gulf states in what he described as a huge win for British business, ending four years of talks led by four different prime ministers.
Russian government submits investment promotion agreement with Congo to State Duma for ratification
21-May-2026 African Initiative
The Russian government has submitted to the State Duma a bill on the ratification of an intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments with the Republic of the Congo.
The rise of ICSID claims against Sub-Saharan African states
21-May-2026 Kluwer Arbitration Blog
February 2026, ICSID published its report on cases registered in 2025. This report revealed that a record number of cases were filed against states in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICSID’s statistics indicate that 15 cases were registered against these states, constituting almost a quarter of all ICSID cases registered in 2025.
Ghana plans pilot digital trade corridor to support AfCFTA
21-May-2026 Ecofin Agency
Ghana plans pilot digital trade corridor supporting AfCFTA cross-border transactions. Rwanda and Zambia join interoperability tests for payments, IDs, and invoicing. Initiative targets costly delays hindering Africa’s growing digital trade market.
India may not sign FTAs, to opt for deeper ties with customs unions in Africa, say officials
21-May-2026 The Hindu
Google Preferred Source India will not attempt signing free trade agreements (FTA) with the African continent ‘as of now’, and will instead prioritise commercial ties with the trading blocs and customs unions in the continent, said officials here on Saturday (May 9, 2026).
AfCFTA Secretariat deepens Canada ties in high-level Ottawa talks
21-May-2026 BFT online
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has taken a significant step toward strengthening global partnerships following a high-level engagement in Ottawa with senior officials of Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
China again flags tariff cuts for US agricultural trade after Trump-Xi meeting, but still no details
20-May-2026 Reuters
China and the U.S. have agreed to cut tariffs on agricultural trade as part of a broader ​trade deal, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement ‌that left several questions about implementation unanswered.
UK fancies copying EU’s Mercosur trade deal
20-May-2026 Euractiv
British trade minister hinted at a copycat Mercosur deal – but stopped short of confirming plans.
Ranked: Top 12 countries with digital trade agreements
20-May-2026 Visual Capitalist
Digital trade now powers a growing share of the global economy. It covers cross-border data flows, e-commerce, digital services, and online payments. As digital commerce expands, governments are moving quickly to set the rules that govern how it operates.
PH, UAE discuss AI, trade cooperation under Cepa
20-May-2026 Sun Star
Philippines and the UAE plan to strengthen strategic cooperation under the recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) and align artificial intelligence initiatives tied to the US-led Pax Silica program.
EU strikes deal on Trump trade pact
20-May-2026 Politico
Negotiators said the compromise will give European manufacturers more certainty, even though Brussels can’t guarantee Washington will stick to the deal.
EU’s tech sovereignty plan risks trade deal, warns US ambassador
19-May-2026 Euractiv
The US ambassador to the EU has warned the bloc against introducing “protectionist” rules ahead of incoming cloud and semiconductor laws – suggesting a planned tech sovereignty package could threaten the EU-US trade agreement.
Panama defeats Banesco ICSID investment treaty claim over public works bonds
19-May-2026 Global Legal Post
Panama won an investment treaty claim brought by disgruntled Spanish investors alleging that state entities breached a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in their handling of bonds linked to public works contracts.
EU races to lock in Mexico deal with Washington looming
19-May-2026 Euractiv
The EU is set to sign its revamped trade agreement with Mexico next week, as Brussels moves to lock in the deal amid growing uncertainty over parallel trade talks with Washington.
Big Tech’s digital trade agenda is a danger for farmers and food systems
18-May-2026 GRAIN
Criticism against Big Tech’s digital crusade is growing, along with demands for greater regulation. Yet, through underhand tactics such as trade deals, tech companies are blocking reform.
How companies continue to obstruct climate action - and why Santa Marta didn’t stop it
18-May-2026 Triodos Bank
One of the delaying issues, Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), came through clearly in the scientific discussions. In theory, ISDS protects investors against unfair treatment. In practice, it has often been used by fossil fuel companies to resist climate action.
New Zealand assures post-LDC trade access for Bangladesh
18-May-2026 The Daily Star
Both countries also showed interest in exploring the possibility of signing a trade deal, such as a free trade agreement, to boost investment and bilateral trade, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.