bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

PHL, UAE economic partnership deal set for signing in January
5-Jan-2026 Business World
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are due to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in January, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
Peru expects to reach a Free Trade Agreement with India in 2026
5-Jan-2026 Andina
Peru Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stated that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is expected to be achieved in 2026, and emphasized that the Indian authorities are very interested in completing the negotiations in order to get the treaty.
Australia ‘disappointed’ with China’s 55% beef tariffs, as US$667 million in trade at risk
5-Jan-2026 South China Morning Post
Australia’s government is “disappointed” with China’s decision to impose new beef import tariffs, with one industry group warning the move could damage trade worth over A$1 billion (US$667 million) between the two countries.
Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases
5-Jan-2026 Reuters
US President Trump warned he may raise tariffs on India if it doesn’t reduce Russian oil purchases. Despite 50% tariffs last year, India’s exports to the US have grown, and India remains firm on trade demands. Ongoing talks between Modi and Trump seek resolution, with India aiming to lower Russian oil imports while pursuing a US trade deal.
France tightens checks on food imports amid farmers’ Mercosur opposition
5-Jan-2026 Reuters
The French government said it was tightening checks on several food imports in a bid to ease concerns of farmers who have been protesting at what they say is unfair competition from countries with looser regulations.
Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact
5-Jan-2026 South China Morning Post
Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US opens its market to American poultry and other goods, sparking concerns over food quality, halal standards, and national sovereignty. While the agreement offers tariff benefits for Malaysian exports, critics argue it’s lopsided and may undermine local businesses and regulatory autonomy.
Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels for final FTA talks ahead of India-EU Summit
5-Jan-2026 Financial Express
With India-EU free trade agreement negotiations in final stages, Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels this week for what could be the last set of meetings between the trade leadership of both sides on the talks before the India-EU Summit later this month.
Korea, Egypt agree to swiftly launch negotiations for comprehensive economic partnership
26-Dec-2025 The Korea Times
Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and his Egyptian counterpart agreed Monday to swiftly commence negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries to expand bilateral ties, Yeo’s office said.
Eastern Africa moves to harmonize inland waterway transport policies for seamless multimodal trade
26-Dec-2025 United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Regional Experts convened in Kampala for a Validation Workshop on Inland Waterway Transport Policy Harmonization, aimed at unlocking the potential of Eastern Africa’s vast network of lakes and rivers to support sustainable trade and regional integration.
India inks Oman FTA, gains duty-free boost
22-Dec-2025 Hindustan Times
India and Oman signed a free trade agreement that allows duty-free access of almost all Indian goods in the West Asian country, a comprehensive services package spanning 127 sectors, and a liberalised mobility framework for Indian professionals.
Indonesia signs trade deal with Russia’s Eurasian bloc amid US tariffs
22-Dec-2025 Jakarta Globe
Indonesia and the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have just signed a free trade pact, a document that is expected to act as a cushion against rising US protectionism.
New Zealand concludes FTA with India with aim to double trade
22-Dec-2025 Reuters
New Zealand and India said on Monday they had concluded talks on a free trade deal that would help to double bilateral trade over the next five years.
Trump’s deals with Latin American countries advance Big Tech’s global agenda
22-Dec-2025 Public Citizen
Continuing the spree of trade agreements being negotiated by the Trump administration, November saw the announcement of four more agreements — with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
AfCFTA member states and stakeholders endorse agri-food trade action plan: To unlock Africa’s agricultural potential
22-Dec-2025 BFT online
The AfCFTA Secretariat concluded two days of Joint Agriculture and Trade Stakeholders Consultations in Addis Ababa, with participants validating a comprehensive Agri-Food Trade Action Plan designed to transform Africa’s agricultural sector into a driver of continental integration.
Academic open letter on ISDS and UK climate policy
22-Dec-2025 Trade Justice Movement
A group of 56 UK-affiliated academics has written to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP, warning that Investor-State Dispute Settlement poses a serious risk to the UK’s ability to take effective climate action.
European Commission eyes 12 January signing for Mercosur trade deal after delay
22-Dec-2025 Belga
The European Commission is aiming to sign the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries on 12 January in Paraguay, European sources said.
EU delays massive free-trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur
19-Dec-2025 AP
The European Union is delaying a massive free-trade deal with South American countries after fiery protests by farmers and last-minute opposition by France and Italy threatened to derail the pact.
Big Tech presses for expanded giveaways in upcoming USMCA review
19-Dec-2025 Public Citizen
New analysis of public comments by lobbyists for the tech industry shows that Big Tech is aggressively pushing for even more deregulatory giveaways, despite the agreement already tilting heavily in their favor.
Canada and the US to launch formal talks to review their free trade agreement in mid-January
19-Dec-2025 The Boston Globe
Canada and the US will launch formal discussions to review their free trade agreement in mid-January, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest EU-Mercosur free-trade deal
19-Dec-2025 Euronews
Proponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing’s export controls and Washington’s tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU’s agricultural sector.