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EU exports of banned pesticides fuelling death & destruction in Mercosur
11-May-2021 The Left in the European Parliament
The EU has exported 7000 tonnes of deadly pesticides – banned domestically – to Mercosur countries in 2018-2019, a study published by the Left group in the European Parliament has found.
UK-Australia trade deal could mean children and patients eating meat reared in ways illegal in UK, warn experts
11-May-2021 The Independent
‘It would be grossly hypocritical for the government to allow unsustainable meat to be served in schools and hospitals,’ say critics
Taiwan says will work with EU, other democracies on chips
11-May-2021 Reuters
President Tsai reiterated a call for Taiwan and the EU to restart talks for a stalled bilateral investment agreement.
EU, Kazakhstan celebrate strides in bilateral relations
11-May-2021 La Prensa Latina
The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement allows for cooperation in areas such as trade and customs, the environment and the fight against climate change, energy, the rule of law and the judiciary.
Peru, Nicaragua begin free trade agreement negotiations
11-May-2021 Xinhua
Peru and Nicaragua began the first round of negotiations to form a free trade agreement.
US unions lodge first Mexico labor grievance under new NAFTA
10-May-2021 Reuters
The AFL-CIO, the biggest US labor federation, will file the first petition for the US government to bring a labor complaint against Mexico under the USMCA trade deal.
Malaysia eyes fresh free trade talks with EU
10-May-2021 DW
As the EU secures trade deals with Southeast Asian nations, Malaysian industry groups are pushing to restart trade talks. Experts say a free trade agreement would boost post-pandemic recovery in both regions.
Thailand postpones CPTPP signing for 50 more days
10-May-2021 Pattaya Mail
Following the hashtag #NOCPTPP trending due to resistance directed at Thailand’s participation in the CPTPP, it has been explained that the Cabinet has only agreed to grant the Prime Minister another 50 days to consider the issue to ensure thoroughness.
Pakistan seeks more trade with Central Asia in diversity push
10-May-2021 Bloomberg
Pakistan is looking to intensify trade with neighbor Afghanistan and countries in Central Asia, as it looks to diversify commerce beyond the top players, the nation’s trade adviser said.
EU says not seeking escalation with China, working on investment deal
10-May-2021 Reuters
The situation is less dramatic than people seem to think. The EU is still working very closely with China’s Ministry of Commerce, the bloc’s ambassador in Beijing said.
EU may gain from negotiating separate trade and investment pacts with India
10-May-2021 Mint
The decision by India and the EU to recast the stalled trade and investment agreement into three separate deals could favour the latter.
US, Pak discuss COVID-19, agree to continue TIFA Agreement dialogue
10-May-2021 Yahoo
The United States and Pakistan agreed to continue the Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) agreement dialogue and Ambassador Tai expressed desire to build a strong US-Pakistan trade relationship.
Mexico’s America Movil says loses tribunal ruling against Colombia
10-May-2021 Reuters
America Movil said the World Bank’s ICSID tribunal has ruled against the company in its dispute with Colombia and ordered it to pay $2.2 million to cover the costs of the case.
Human rights have no place in Swiss-Chinese trade deal
10-May-2021 DW
The EU and US are currently distancing themselves from China — unlike Switzerland as the country sticks to its free trade agreement with the world’s second-largest economy despite mounting domestic criticism.
EU and India agree to resume free-trade negotiations
10-May-2021 Nikkei Asia
The European Union and India agreed to resume stalled free-trade negotiations and seek closer cooperation to combat climate change at a virtual summit on Saturday.
Botswana launches revised AGOA strategy
7-May-2021 Daily News Botswana
The revised African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) National Response Strategy for Botswana remains one of the mechanisms towards economic diversification and SME sustainable development
MPs want CS Maina summoned over ’secret’ sugar importation deal
7-May-2021 The Star
MPs drawn from the sugar belt region now want Parliament to summon Trade CS Betty Maina over what they term a ’secret’ sugar importation deal with Uganda. They said the importation will kill the local industry.
Local firms not ready for AfCFTA
7-May-2021 Mmegi Online
Business Botswana (BB) is concerned that the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, will not be fully exploited by local businesses.
How can Mauritius take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)?
7-May-2021 Africa Newsroom
AfCFTA provides a platform for Mauritius to contribute significantly to the new African impetus by making available to investors and businessmen an ecosystem that not only makes it easier for them to do business with Africa, but also enhances and safeguards their investments.
US return to Trans-Pacific trade deal would open large can of worms for NZ
7-May-2021 Newsroom
If all the seemingly insurmountable barriers are overcome and the US decides to reactivate the original Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, would there be another groundswell of opposition? You betcha.