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Ethiopia Officially Launches First Trade Under African Free Trade Area
Ethiopia marked a historic milestone today with the official launch of its first trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a move expected to boost the country’s regional trade integration and export potential
SADC Strengthens Trade Capacity in Eswatini Through AfCFTA Rules of Origin Training
The SADC Secretariat, in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), conducted a five-day training workshop on the AfCFTA Rules of Origin in Eswatini. the training was supported under the European Union–WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ CESARE Programme.
Mozambique and UAE move closer to signing CEPA trade agreement
Representing the President of Mozambique, Daniel Francisco Chapo, the Minister of Economy, Basílio Muhate, recently took part in the Africa Debate Conference in the United Arab Emirates, where he held a bilateral meeting with the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Nigeria, others seek AfCFTA digital trade protocol implementation
As part of efforts towards forging a viable and practical path for implementing the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, Nigeria has held the maiden digital trade market access roundtable, welcoming regulators from Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
MEPs shocked by Commission’s Western Sahara bypass
In a hearing at the European Parliament earlier this week, lawmakers expressed outrage at how the Commission sidestepped them to push through a new agreement covering occupied Western Sahara, in violation of EU Court rulings.
EU-Indonesia FTA text (Oct 2025)
Thailand looking for trade accord with S.Korea by year’s end
Thailand hopes to complete free trade agreement talks with South Korea by the end of this year, according to Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun.
EU, Ukraine move forward with new trade agreement, deepening ties
The European Council has agreed to reduce and eliminate duties on a range of Ukrainian agricultural products, paving the way for the first significant update to tariffs under an EU-Ukraine trade agreement since it was adopted in 2016.
Togo Launches Review of AfCFTA Strategy to Boost Trade Benefits
Togo began revising its national strategy for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on October 6. The Ministry of Trade, Handicrafts, and Local Consumption organized a three-day workshop in Lomé to update the framework.
India, US to hold trade talks as New Delhi seeks higher energy imports
India and the United States are set to hold trade talks this week, with New Delhi pledging to import US energy and gas as it aims to address Washington’s concerns over its Russian oil purchases, an official said.
EU and India move into final stages of trade talks with continuous contact
India and the EU are intensifying their talks on a free-trade deal and will meet nonstop after making progress during a round of negotiations last week, the European Commission said.
ETJC statement on Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs)
These fast track trade deals risk serving the business interests of transnational corporations instead of contributing to more sustainable trading relationships.
India, New Zealand to resume FTA talks in Delhi: What’s on the agenda and why is dairy a sticking point?
Dairy has become a key sticking point in the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiations due to the conflicting interests of both countries.
Korean SMEs struggle from influx of cheap Chinese goods following FTA
South Korean companies are suffering increasing damage following the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement as low-cost Chinese products are flooding into the domestic market, an analysis showed.
Mercosur, Canada resume FTA talks
Canada and the Southern Common Market further explored on Friday a possible free trade agreement during a meeting in Brasilia between chief negotiators and technical teams.
Switzerland hopes to seal updated trade deal with China early next year
Switzerland hopes to seal an updated free trade agreement with China in early 2026, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said, following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
European Parliament lawmakers vote against the Mercosur deal
Inserted into a parliamentary resolution, a few lines welcoming the Mercosur agreement were rejected by a majority of European lawmaker.
Deputy Economy Minister holds talks with GCC on free trade agreement prospects
The parties discussed strengthening trade and economic ties between Georgia and Gulf Cooperation Council member states, with particular attention to the possibility of launching free trade agreement negotiations.
Malaysian small-scale farmers worry about rights under proposed seed law changes
Malaysia is preparing to amend its Protection of New Plant Varieties Act to join the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) by 2026 - a key criterion for Malaysia to join a trans-Pacific free trade agreement.
Free trade agreements pushing UPOV as of 2025
GRAIN has updated its dataset on free trade agreements that push harsh new standards for intellectual property rights over biodiversity, going beyond the international standards set by the World Trade Organisation.