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Mexico, South Korea move closer to bilateral free trade agreement
22-Jan-2026 Mexico Business News
Mexico and South Korea are advancing talks to finalize a bilateral free trade agreement aimed at lowering tariffs and boosting economic cooperation. The renewed momentum follows a high-level parliamentary exchange, with Mexico pledging to support negotiations and facilitate the process.
EU pulls tariff preferences on 87 pc of Indian exports ahead of FTA
22-Jan-2026 Deccan Chronicle
From January 1, 2026, India faces a significant setback in the European Union market as the EU suspends Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) benefits for 87% of its exports. This move means Indian products must now pay full Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs, eliminating the previous 20% average tariff reduction under GSP.
Egypt, South Korea sign joint statement on comprehensive economic partnership agreement
21-Jan-2026 Ahraminfo
Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib and South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yeo Han-koo signed a joint statement on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries on Sunday.
ECVC celebrates important victory on EU-Mercosur in the European Parliament
21-Jan-2026 European Coordination Via Campesina
ECVC warmly welcomes today’s vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, in which MEPs voted in favour of requesting an opinion from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the compatibility of the proposed EU–Mercosur agreement.
“The scent of fraud”: the door opens for a new corporate assault on Honduras
21-Jan-2026 FPIF
While the fate of current ISDS claims remains to be seen, similar corporate investments and interests imposed under the narcodictatorship (the period 2009-2022) are sure to proceed with fewer barriers under the 2026-2030 Honduran government.
Global civil society statement on Trump’s trade threats
21-Jan-2026 European Trade Justice Coalition
Trump is using tariffs and trade threats to bully other countries in order to maintain US global power. Even though existing trade rules were shaped by US corporations, recently this hasn’t been enough to guarantee US dominance, so Trump is turning to brute force.
Can "geopolitical" tariffs be dealt with through trade deals?
21-Jan-2026 International Economic Law and Policy Blog
A big reason for signing a trade agreement is to get certainty on tariff levels, and if the U.S. can raise tariff levels above the bound rate for geopolitical reasons, that certainty is lost to some degree and the trade agreement is much less valuable.
EU sees Mercosur as a source of critical minerals
21-Jan-2026 BNamericas
The European Union recognizes the key role that the free trade agreement with Mercosur, an economic bloc formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, will have for the supply of critical minerals to the European continent.
Brazil sees ripple effect after Mercosur-EU deal; Canada next in line
21-Jan-2026 Valor
Brazil’s government expects that the signing of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will trigger a ripple effect for similar negotiations between the South American bloc and other countries.
Europe seeks deeper trade ties with UAE, Philippines, says Ursula von der Leyen
21-Jan-2026 Gulf News
The European Union is advancing free trade negotiations with the UAE, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told audiences at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
After years of progress, Indonesia risks ‘tragedy’ of a deforestation spike
21-Jan-2026 Mongabay
Indonesia is facing a deforestation crisis that threatens its global environmental achievements, as the rate of forest loss surged again in 2025—reaching the highest level since 2019. Major projects like the Merauke Food Estate, which plans to clear 2 million hectares of forest in South Papua, are at the center of concerns.
Malaysia-US reciprocal trade pact yet to take effect as Putrajaya seeks written assurances — Anwar
21-Jan-2026 The Edge Malaysia
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim clarified on Tuesday that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Malaysia and the US has yet to come into force, despite having been signed nearly three months ago.
Seoul, Beijing begin follow-up talks on services, investment under FTA
21-Jan-2026 Pulse
South Korea and China will open the 13th round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea-China free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday in Beijing.
Here’s what you need to know about the Canada-China deal on EVs and canola
21-Jan-2026 CBC News
After a decade of strained relations, the Canada and China agreement marks a shift toward realistic, interest-based cooperation. The two countries have essentially agreed to lift or lower tariffs on certain products.
Pakistan, UAE move closer to CEPA as technical talks near conclusion
21-Jan-2026 Dailytimes
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan said that Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving closer to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as technical talks near conclusion.
US-Malaysia trade deal threatens medicines regulation
21-Jan-2026 AFTINET
The recent US trade deal restricts the rights of Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), to conduct its own assessments of safety, efficacy and quality, reflecting national health needs and regulatory priorities.
President Lee Jae-myung frames Fukushima seafood ban as CPTPP agenda
21-Jan-2026 The Chosun Daily
President Lee Jae-myung stated that the issue of lifting the import ban on Fukushima seafood could be addressed as a key agenda item for negotiations on joining the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) ahead of the Korea-Japan summit.
Peru set to take part in DEPA: industry ministry
21-Jan-2026 Yonhap News Agency
Peru is set to become the latest member of the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), opening new opportunities for South Korea and other member nations, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
Next round of Russia trade talks by Feb-end, India to focus on reduction of non-tariff measures
21-Jan-2026 The Print
India’s negotiating team is expected to travel to Russia at the end of February after the Union Budget 2026 for the next round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
EU-Mercosur mobilisations continue as farmers ask MEPs to uphold democracy and vote to seek CJEU opinion on the legality of the agreement
20-Jan-2026 European Coordination Via Campesina
As farmers continue to mobilise against the EU-Mercosur FTA across Europe this week, ECVC and its members are calling on MEPs to take a stand for democracy, legality, and the rule of law in the European Union.