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Articles by language


Two-thirds feel ‘left in the dark’ about impact of post-Brexit trade deals
A quarter of consumers who took part in a poll said they felt the British Government was “not at all open” about the impact of new trade deals.
‘Gap’ noted in ASEAN, European Union views on sustainability amid hopes for trade deal
Differences on sustainability matters and government procurement policies must be resolved as the two blocs seek to revive free trade talks, the EU Ambassador said.
Discovery legal challenge escalates Poland-US media row
Draft law, regulator pose risks to Discovery’s unit in Poland but Polish watchdog says treaty exempts broadcast investments.
In Africa, Biden finds a free trade zone he can embrace
Eager to tap into a promising market while burnishing his administration’s credentials on free trade now that rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership looks as distant as ever, U.S. President Joe Biden appears ready to engage a new free trade zone in Africa.
India will fast track trade deals with six nations: Commerce Secretary
India will fast-track free trade agreements (FTAs) with at least six nations — including the UAE, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU.
Shell will pay $111 million to end Nigerian oil-spill case
Shell didn’t say in its statement if it will withdraw the related arbitration claim.
South Korea/Mercosur round of trade talks at the end of the month
South Korea wants to advance with trade negotiations with Mercosur. Discussions started back in 2018 and at the end of the month, a seventh-round is slated to take place.
Pakistan terminating 23 bilateral investment treaties because of ISDS
Pakistan decided to review the entire BIT situation in 2013, and to develop a new model BIT.
Risks for Mexico in the renegotiation of its FTA with the European Union
To end neoliberalism and defend energy resources, Mexico must step up and avoid at all costs the inclusion of supranational arbitration mechanisms in a renegotiated FTA with the European Union.
UNCITRAL Working Group III: Moving forward towards consensus or loosing balance?
This policy brief highlights the need to allocate sufficient time to deliberate upon the important issues being raised by developing countries.
US reaches deal with Mexican auto parts factory in USMCA labor complaint
Mexican auto parts company Tridonex agreed to ensure worker rights, pay severance and back wages to dismissed employees to settle an early labor rights complaint under the new North American trade deal.
South’s concerns over ISDS reform process need to be addressed
The broad mandate given by UNCITRAL focuses on a limited set of procedural issues that fails to address the substantive concerns over the crisis of legitimacy confronting the international investment regime, and ISDS more specifically.
The Irish Spanish Solar sues Spain in the ICSID for the cut in premiums to renewables
Spanish Solar demands compensation from the Spanish Government for having cut the premiums for the use of energy once the investments have been made.
Deep-sea salvage firm uses NAFTA to fight Mexican environmental rules
A lawsuit filed against the Mexican government for denying a permit for seabed mining has put a spotlight on the lack of international rules for such practices.
Australia and India: A time to refocus on trade talks
In a drastically changed geopolitical scenario, developments in the Indo-Pacific, have brought Australia and India closer together as Comprehensive Strategic Partners.
BoI to sign treaties as per its new template
The Board of Investment (BoI) is all set to sign treaties with foreign countries in line with the new Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) template, which was approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan last week, sources said.
Protecting human and environmental rights in international investment agreements
Human rights experts are particularly concerned about the asymmetric nature of the system and a lack of investors’ human rights obligations. Together with high ISDS costs and arbitral awards, they undermine states’ ability to realise economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.
Thailand and EU resume free trade agreement negotiations
Thailand and the European Union (EU) have agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) seven years after the collapse of negotiations in 2014 after a military coup in Thailand.
XL pipeline absurd $15 billion NAFTA ISDS claim
TC Energy expects to get 15 times more money, coming from taxpayers’ pockets, than the asset losses it experienced from the revocation of a permit, that was already denied twice.
How ‘blood mineral’ traders in Rwanda are helping fund Congo rebels – and undermining global supply chains
New evidence from a UN report and a high-profile investor arbitration case is casting a spotlight on Rwanda’s role in sophisticated smuggling networks that extract gold and coltan from Congolese conflict zones and funnel the strategically important minerals illicitly into global supply chains.