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EU sees new US trade demands hollowing out deal struck by Trump
The US has been seeking an opening to discuss the bloc’s legislation, including digital and technology rules as well as corporate compliance and climate-related regulations.
No going back to former free trade system, Lutnick says
North America is not going back to the free-trade regime that existed for decades, and the United States is no longer interested in buying Canadian-made cars, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said.
Powerful anti-climate legal instrument could cost the UK billions
In August 2025, for the second time in its history, the UK government was sued by a foreign investor under investor-state dispute settlement provisions, through the 1975 UK-Singapore bilateral investment treaty.
EXPLAINING Why the safeguard clause in the Mercosur agreement fails to protect the EU poultry meat sector
The EU-Mercosur agreement foresees an additional safeguard clause meant to protect European farmers if imports surge and threaten the EU industry. However, the safeguard is designed in such a way that it will never realistically be triggered for poultry meat.
European farmers to get extra protection from EU-Mercosur trade deal
The European Commission has proposed additional measures to reassure European farmers that they will not suffer from the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The Indonesia-EU Free Trade Agreement, explained
The EU and Indonesia have finalized a comprehensive trade agreement that eliminates tariffs on key EU exports such as vehicles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and agri-food products (dairy, meat, processed foods), protects Indonesia’s strategic agricultural products like rice and sugar, implements mutual recognition of regulations (e.g., EU-certified vehicles accepted without re-testing), and opens sectors including finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, and mining to EU investment—reaching $3.6 billion in 2024, primarily from the Netherlands.
First FTA that aims to narrow the gender gap
In a first for India, its free trade pact with the UK includes a chapter supporting women’s participation in supply chains. The countries agreed to set up a working group to ensure women are prioritised in procurement, digital trade, and innovation initiatives.
EU and Morocco conclude trade deal on Western Sahara
The European Union and Morocco have reached an agreement to extend trade benefits to products originating from Western Sahara, according to the European Commission on Monday.
From trade deal to corporate takeover: threats of lawsuit abuse in RCEP
This episode unpacks the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, world’s largest free trade agreement, and the dangerous push to insert the Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism into its investment chapter.
AfCFTA risks failure without labor protections, union leader warns
The African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) promise of transformative economic integration could remain unfulfilled unless governments design industrial policies that prioritize workers’ welfare alongside trade liberalization, according to a prominent labor economist.
Parliament trade chief calls Commission’s handling of Morocco deal ‘outrageous’
“Despite having just improved our framework with the Commission to prevent this kind of situation ... they’ve gone ahead and done exactly that,” Bernd Lange, who chairs Parliament’s trade committee, said
Spanish farmers turn to legal action against recent EU-Morocco agreement
The Coordinating Body of Farmers and Livestock Breeders Organizations in Spain (COAG) has announced plans to pursue legal action against the trade agreement between the European Commission and Morocco.
How a dead US trade deal is pushing Africa further into China’s orbit
Lapse of African Growth and Opportunity Act deals tariff blow to continent and ‘creates fertile ground’ for Beijing to expand its clout.
India, Qatar target mid-2026 for Free Trade Agreement signing: Piyush Goyal
India and Qatar are on track to finalise a Free Trade Agreement by mid-2026, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced during a business delegation visit aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment.
India–EU FTA: 14th round of trade talks to resume in Brussels today
India and the EU resume the 14th round of Free Trade Agreement talks in Brussels, aiming for a December 2025 conclusion.
Talks on proposed trade pacts with Chile, Peru in Oct, Nov
India is set to resume free trade agreement negotiations with Peru in November and will hold a second round of talks with Chile under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in late October.
Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?
While US officials express expectations of meaningful progress in the next round of trade talks, analysts suggest soybeans are poised to become a key bargaining chip for China in upcoming negotiations, and a comprehensive deal may not be easily signed.
PH seeks to update trade deal with Japan
The Philippines is looking to revive discussions to update the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, in a bid to widen market access for local agricultural products.
China to speed up zero-tariff trade pact with Kenya
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, said the two countries will work together to ensure Kenyans start benefiting as soon as possible from the deal. In 2023, China was Kenya’s largest source of imports, valued at approximately Sh459 billion.