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EU and GCC officials aim to resume FTA negotiations
European and Gulf officials are holding “informal” efforts to “revive” and even “upgrade” negotiations over a free trade agreement between the two blocks.
Qatar pitches for expediting GCC-EU FTA negotiations
Qatar has called for expediting negotiations on a free trade agreement between the Gulf Co-operation Council or GCC and the European Union.
Kenya urges Africa to embrace special economic zones to spur growth
Kenyan President William Ruto called on African nations to integrate special economic zones (SEZs) into a continental transformation strategy to drive growth.
Ethiopia advancing endeavors towards implementation of AfCFTA: State Minister
Ethiopia is scaling up efforts for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Thai CSOs’ letter to the EU chief negotiator regarding concerns over the ongoing FTA negotiation with Thailand
Civil society and non-government organizations in Thailand oppose the provisions proposed by the EU that will have a vast and adverse impact on access to medicines, universal health coverage scheme, agriculture, food sovereignty, consumer protection, and livelihoods of Thai people.
Venezuela ratifies new bilateral investment treaty with China
This treaty marks a significant step in Venezuela’s recent trend of executing BITs, particularly following its withdrawal from the ICSID Convention in 2012.
French lawmakers reject Mercosur free trade deal as farmers continue protests
France’s Senate has voted to reject the Mercosur free trade agreement between the European Union and South American countries, following a similar vote in the National Assembly, as farmers continue to protest against a deal they say would bring unfair competition.
Costa Rica receives invitation to join Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement
Costa Rica has been invited to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc, which would bring on plans to boost trade with the dozen other member nations involved.
Taiwan and China’s applications to the CPTPP both put on hold
At the annual meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership’s executive committee in Vancouver, Canada, delegates put off making a decision regarding Taiwan and China’s applications.
Japan, UAE hold first round of negotiations on Economic Partnership Agreement
Japan and the UAE had the first round of negotiations for the Japan-United Arab Emirates (UAE) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) from Nov. 26-28 in Tokyo.
New free trade agreement with China still 2025, according to Aeschi
The revised free trade agreement between Switzerland and China is due to come into force in 2025. This is the assumption of Thomas Aeschi, SVP National Councillor from Zug and President of the EU-Efta delegation.
S. Korea strikes economic partnership deal with Georgia
South Korea has struck an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Georgia, while some agricultural products are excluded, the FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade and position South Korea as a gateway to the Caucasus region.
India seeks lower non-tariff barriers, easier mobility; EU wants major duty cuts in potential FTA
Several important issues pertaining to bilateral trade emerged between India and the European Union (EU) in the 10th round of negotiations. Both India and EU are learnt to have expressed reluctance to open up their respective dairy and agricultural sectors for foreign trade owing to local sensitivities.
Sri Lanka – Singapore FTA text (2018)
Saudi Arabia wants bilateral investment treaty with India before proceeding with an FTA: Sources
Saudi Arabia seeks a Bilateral Investment Treaty with India before advancing a Free Trade Agreement. However, differing stances may delay FTA negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Panama agrees $26m payment to settle dispute with US miner
Panama has agreed to pay $26 million to settle a dispute with Dominion Mineral Corp. after losing an arbitration award in 2020 over the US mining company’s copper-gold exploration licences.
Want to do something good for farmers? Stop the EU-Mercosur trade deal
Farmers across Belgium, Poland and France took to the streets of Paris, Brussels and dozens of other cities and expressed their strong opposition to a trade deal between the EU and the “Mercosur” countries: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The EU-Mercosur trade deal must be stopped – NOW!
No more toxic trade deals between the EU and Latin American countries.
Poland, France join forces against EU-Mercosur trade deal
The Polish government and the French National Assembly have passed resolutions opposing the EU’s trade deal with Mercosur, as farmers from both nations have voiced their opposition, which they say will lead to unfair competition for European agriculture.