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EPP Mercosur fast-track bid collapses at plenary
26-Nov-2025 Euractiv
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) beat a hasty retreat from its own gamble to ram through safeguard clauses of the EU-Mercosur deal.
ISDS exposed as a barrier to climate action and Australia to chair but not host 2026 climate negotiations
26-Nov-2025 AFTINET
As the UN climate conference began in Belem, Brazil last week, an official UN report explicitly called out Investor-State Dispute Settlement in trade agreements as a systemic barrier to financing climate action in developing countries.
COP30 shows why dismantling ISDS is essential for real climate action
26-Nov-2025 Both Ends
COP30 showed once again that climate policy cannot succeed while outdated investment treaties give corporations the power to punish ambition.
Sri Lanka eyes entry into world’s largest trade bloc – RCEP
26-Nov-2025 News 1st
Sri Lanka is accelerating its efforts to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest free trade agreement, as the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to complete and submit the initial questionnaire required for accession.
European Commission registers citizens’ initiative demanding suspension of EU-Israel Association Agreement
26-Nov-2025 Anadolu
The European Commission registered a European Citizens’ Initiative, demanding that the Commission fully suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement over Israeli violations of international law.
Philippines, Canada may launch FTA talks in early 2026
26-Nov-2025 Philstar Global
The Philippines and Canada are aiming to launch negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in the first quarter of 2026, with plans to complete the talks by the end of that year.
India-EU push to close FTA talks by year-end as Brussels meetings set new strategic tone
26-Nov-2025 Business Today
India and the European Union have pushed their long-running free trade talks back to the centre of their partnership, reaffirming a shared goal to conclude negotiations on the FTA by the end of this year. The joint statement reaffirmed ambitions to finalize the FTA, accelerate negotiations on an Investment Protection Agreement, and conclude a Geographical Indications agreement.
Korea asks Lone Star to reimburse legal costs after winning annulment in investor dispute
25-Nov-2025 The Korea Times
The justice ministry has sent a letter to Lone Star requesting the private equity fund to reimburse legal costs incurred during an investor-state dispute settlement over the 2012 sale of a local bank.
US demands ’balanced’ EU digital rules before it cuts steel tariffs
25-Nov-2025 Reuters
The United States demanded that the European Union make its regulation of the tech sector more "balanced" in exchange for a reduction of US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the bloc.
Activists protest EU-Mercosur trade deal with ‘toxic’ demonstration
25-Nov-2025 AnewZ
Activists staged a dramatic protest outside the European Commission in Brussels on Monday (24 November), targeting the controversial European Union-Mercosur trade deal.
Indonesia, Tunisia to ink Preferential Trade Agreement in January
25-Nov-2025 Jakarta Globe
Indonesia is set to finalize a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Tunisia in January 2026, negotiated since 2018, will see Tunisia reduce tariffs on these products, while Indonesia will lower or eliminate duties on Tunisian goods including crustaceans, dates, and other agricultural products.
Iran, Pakistan move to fast-track free trade agreement
25-Nov-2025 Tehran Times
Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran said Tehran and Islamabad are accelerating implementation of their planned free trade agreement, adding that a barter mechanism between the two neighbors will become operational soon.
TEPA: A $100 billion carrot
24-Nov-2025 The Pioneer
A close reading of the India-EFTA trade deal’s investment chapter shows that the $100 billion investment commitment is largely symbolic, a political gesture designed to justify the market-access concessions India granted to EFTA’s exporters.
Between national engine and corporate plunder: the drift of Argentina´s Fiscal Oilfields YPF
24-Nov-2025 ISDS impacts
The YPF case exposes the inconsistencies of the international investment protection system, which enables large corporations to engage in predatory practices, creating severe macroeconomic problems for Argentina.
Farmers to mobilise in Strasbourg to request CJEU opinion on EU-Mercosur: European democracy and role of European Parliament must be respected
24-Nov-2025 European Coordination Via Campesina
European farmers will mobilise on 24 November in Strasbourg from 11am in support of an MEP initiative to request a CJEU opinion on the EU-Mercosur FTA.
FTA with Israel in two phases, focus on low-hanging fruit
24-Nov-2025 Financial Express
India and Israel have agreed to pursue their Free Trade Agreement in two phases, prioritizing "low-hanging fruit" to ensure early benefits for their business communities, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
CPTPP trade pact hopes to add Costa Rica by year’s end, begin Uruguay talks
24-Nov-2025 Kyodo
Australian Trade Minister announced "substantial progress" on Costa Rica’s membership application and that negotiations on Uruguay’s accession would commence.
Canada, India agree to restart trade talks, says Indian government
24-Nov-2025 Reuters
Canada and India have agreed to restart stalled talks for a new trade deal, the Indian government said, after discussions between the two countries paused following a diplomatic spat two years ago.
US-Thai trade deal falters amid geopolitical dispute
24-Nov-2025 The Nation
US-Thai trade negotiations have stalled after the US linked the deal to a geopolitical dispute involving the Thai-Cambodia Peace Declaration.
Thailand accelerates FTA talks with EFTA, EU and South Korea to cut reliance on US exports
24-Nov-2025 The Nation
Thailand is fast-tracking FTAs with EFTA, the EU and South Korea to reduce dependence on US exports after tariff hikes, aiming to expand new markets and boost GDP