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BILATERALS.ORG WEEKLY   1-7 JAN 2026
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Call for signatures: We say no to AfCFTA – trade justice for people, not corporations!

Please consider signing the African civil society statement here.

NEWS FROM THE MOVEMENTS
bilaterals.org | 5-Jan-2026

The EU–Morocco agreement is illegal and unjust

The EU-Morocco agreement favours powerful lobbies and actors, marginalises European farmers and the Sahrawi people, and fails to comply with international law.
NEGOTIATIONS
CNBC TV18 | 7-Jan-2026

Gulf Cooperation Council agrees to de-couple investment pact talks from FTA talks with India

India and the GCC have agreed to de-couple BIT talks from FTA discussions, opening the door for faster trade negotiations with the bloc or select members.
Türkiye Today | 7-Jan-2026

Türkiye, UK target major trade expansion with upgraded free trade deal

Türkiye and the United Kingdom are preparing to significantly expand bilateral trade, with expectations that an upgraded free trade agreement could boost total trade volume to $70 billion in the coming years, according to industry representatives.
Politico | 7-Jan-2026

Von der Leyen makes €45B pitch to win Meloni’s support for Mercosur trade deal

To secure Rome’s backing, von der Leyen rolled out some extra budget promises on farm funding.
Jakarta Globe | 7-Jan-2026

Indonesia-US trade deal: analyst warns of retaliation from China, EU

Indonesia’s impending trade deal with the US offers generous concessions to American businesses but risks retaliation from key partners like China and the EU. Analysts warn that the deal’s asymmetry may disrupt trade stability as other nations demand equal treatment or retaliate.
Business Times | 7-Jan-2026

India exporters risk losing US orders without January trade deal

Indian exporters of products ranging from home decor to leather shoes are worried about missing the US summer shopping season if they are unable to lock in orders in January as trade-deal talks drag on between New Delhi and Washington.
CCPA | 6-Jan-2026

The trade war goes digital

Notes on how trade agreements prevent Canada from exercising digital sovereignty.
Politico | 6-Jan-2026

Trump administration fires warning shots over Big Tech regulations

Senior officials are freezing talks and hinting at trade probes amid ongoing discussions with the UK, EU and South Korea.
The Business Times | 6-Jan-2026

Italy plans to back Mercosur, paving way for new EU trade deal

Italy plans to back the Mercosur free trade agreement with a South American bloc of countries, in a vote that will likely be the final major hurdle for the European Union to clinch the accord, which has been in the works for 25 years.
DW | 5-Jan-2026

EU rethinks UAE trade deal over alleged arms sales to Sudan

Members of the European Parliament demand that the EU end talks with the UAE over a trade deal. The UAE is suspected of sending arms to a Sudanese paramilitary accused of war crimes, which the Emirati government denies.
The Jerusalem Post | 5-Jan-2026

United States renews 2004 free trade agreement with Israel for 2026

The 2004 Agreement specifies the quantities of specific Israeli agricultural products that may be imported into the US duty-free, including various dairy products and peanuts.
Mint | 5-Jan-2026

India’s rush to sign a web of bilateral trade agreements: Driven by good economics or smart geopolitics?

India’s flurry of pacts signed with various countries may not boost our trade all that much, but these seem designed to act as an insurance policy against trade fragmentation caused by the policies of US President Donald Trump.
SeeNews | 5-Jan-2026

Serbia, Japan sign investment promotion agreement

Serbia and Japan have signed an agreement for the mutual promotion and protection of investments, Japan’s foreign affairs ministry said.
Gulf Today | 5-Jan-2026

UAE continues to expand its network of economic, investment partnerships

The UAE continues to expand its network of economic and investment partnerships with strategic markets around the world, strengthening investment flows, opening new horizons for trade, and supporting sustainable growth objectives.
Steel Radar | 5-Jan-2026

Türkiye–Hong Kong investment agreement enters into force

The law approving the agreement between Türkiye and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments has been published in the Official Gazette and has entered into force.
The Fiji Times | 5-Jan-2026

PACER-plus fear

On a micro level, joining PACER -Plus could do more damage to Fiji than good, says textile merchant.
AGBI | 5-Jan-2026

Turkey says free-trade talks with GCC are underway

Turkey is pursuing free trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), trade minister Omer Bolat has said.
The Daily Star | 5-Jan-2026

Bangladesh, Japan finalise draft EPA

Bangladesh and Japan have agreed on the draft of a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement, marking the country’s first full-fledged trade deal as it seeks to secure preferential market treatments ahead of its scheduled graduation from the least developed country club.
Euronews | 5-Jan-2026

Polish farmers stage nationwide protests over EU–Mercosur trade agreement

Farmers across Poland held coordinated protests to voice concerns about the planned EU–Mercosur trade deal and its potential impact on domestic agriculture.
Business World | 5-Jan-2026

PHL, UAE economic partnership deal set for signing in January

The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are due to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in January, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.
Andina | 5-Jan-2026

Peru expects to reach a Free Trade Agreement with India in 2026

Peru Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stated that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India is expected to be achieved in 2026, and emphasized that the Indian authorities are very interested in completing the negotiations in order to get the treaty.
South China Morning Post | 5-Jan-2026

Australia ‘disappointed’ with China’s 55% beef tariffs, as US$667 million in trade at risk

Australia’s government is “disappointed” with China’s decision to impose new beef import tariffs, with one industry group warning the move could damage trade worth over A$1 billion (US$667 million) between the two countries.
Reuters | 5-Jan-2026

Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

US President Trump warned he may raise tariffs on India if it doesn’t reduce Russian oil purchases. Despite 50% tariffs last year, India’s exports to the US have grown, and India remains firm on trade demands. Ongoing talks between Modi and Trump seek resolution, with India aiming to lower Russian oil imports while pursuing a US trade deal.
Reuters | 5-Jan-2026

France tightens checks on food imports amid farmers’ Mercosur opposition

The French government said it was tightening checks on several food imports in a bid to ease concerns of farmers who have been protesting at what they say is unfair competition from countries with looser regulations.
South China Morning Post | 5-Jan-2026

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US opens its market to American poultry and other goods, sparking concerns over food quality, halal standards, and national sovereignty. While the agreement offers tariff benefits for Malaysian exports, critics argue it’s lopsided and may undermine local businesses and regulatory autonomy.
Financial Express | 5-Jan-2026

Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels for final FTA talks ahead of India-EU Summit

With India-EU free trade agreement negotiations in final stages, Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels this week for what could be the last set of meetings between the trade leadership of both sides on the talks before the India-EU Summit later this month.
KEY ISSUES
Ulpiano | 7-Jan-2026

The sound and fury of Venezuela’s ICSID denunciation

If the Venezuela experience is any indication, denouncing the ICSID Convention by itself will not provide much satisfaction.
Jacobin | 7-Jan-2026

Corporations are ready to cash in on Venezuela

Before Donald Trump’s capture of Nicolás Maduro, corporations filed lawsuits against Venezuela seeking damages tied to state nationalization, international sanctions, and political instability. A Trump-installed government could tilt the courts in their favor.
Naked Capitalism | 7-Jan-2026

Halliburton files ISDS suit against Venezuela for damages resulting from… US sanctions on Venezuela

The US oilfield services company Halliburton quietly filed a suit against Venezuela at the World Bank’s international arbitration court, ICSID.
 
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NOVEDADES DE LOS MOVIMIENTOS
Resistencia Pacífica La Puya | 5-Jan-2026

Comunicado: La Resistencia Pacífica La Puya, a la comunidad guatemalteca e internacional, ante la decisión del tribunal internacional de arbitraje (CIADI), en el caso KCA vrs Guatemala

En este sistema de arbitraje injusto, que es una cancha unilateral en donde solamente las empresas transnacionales pueden demandar a los Estados y no al revés, efectivamente el Estado no gana, simplemente no pierde. Guatemala está en un momento propicio en que puede revisar los compromisos que ha asumido en los tratados de inversión y decidir si le conviene mantenerse o no en este sistema ponderando los costos y beneficios.
Negociaciones
Nueva Revolución | 7-Jan-2026

Bloqueos de agricultores franceses contra el acuerdo de libre comercio UE-Mercosur y la PAC

En las primeras semanas de 2026, Francia se ha convertido en un polvorín agrícola. Miles de agricultores han tomado las carreteras, en una oleada de protestas que amenaza con paralizar el país entero. Estas movilizaciones llegan tras años de frustración ante políticas que están asfixiando al sector primario, con la Unión Europea (UE) como principal culpable.
MSN | 6-Jan-2026

UE reporta avances para aprobar el acuerdo de libre comercio con el Mercosur

El órgano ejecutivo de la Unión Europea mencionó el lunes “avances” entre los Estados miembros del bloque para aprobar el acuerdo comercial con los países sudamericanos del Mercosur y espera firmarlo “pronto”, pese al descontento de los agricultores.
La Tribuna | 6-Jan-2026

Designada afirma que Asfura no avalará un TLC con China si no demuestra beneficios

El presidente electo Nasry Asfura analizará los 16 convenios suscritos por la actual administración con China, al considerar que la mayoría de estos acuerdos son poco conocidos por la población e incluso cuestionados por funcionarios del propio gobierno saliente, informó la futura designada presidencial María Antonieta Mejía.
Opportimes | 6-Jan-2026

Reino Unido negocia TLC con Corea del Sur, Suiza y Turquía

Reino Unido negocia TLC con Corea del Sur, Suiza y Turquía por separado para ampliar su comercio de productos y servicios con esas tres naciones. El gobierno británico busca nuevos compromisos comerciales digitales enfocados en facilitar, agilizar y abaratar el comercio para las empresas de Reino Unido y Corea del Sur.
Diario El Pueblo | 5-Jan-2026

Perú espera concretar Tratado de Libre Comercio con la India durante el 2026

El canciller Hugo de Zela anunció que el Perú espera concretar durante el 2026 la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con la India, un acuerdo largamente esperado que busca fortalecer la relación económica y comercial entre ambos países.
La Gaceta | 5-Jan-2026

Milei busca un acuerdo comercial con el Reino Unido sin ceder en el reclamo por Malvinas

El presidente Javier Milei reafirmó que la soberanía de las Islas Malvinas es un punto "no negociable" para su gestión. Sin embargo, aclaró que la vía para recuperarlas será exclusivamente diplomática. En paralelo, el Gobierno argentino comenzó a tender puentes con Londres para alcanzar un acuerdo comercial que rompa con el estancamiento de las negociaciones entre el Mercosur y la Unión Europea.
Prensa Mercosur | 5-Jan-2026

Canadá y Mercosur buscan acuerdo de libre comercio para 2026 en respuesta al proteccionismo de Trump

En un contexto global marcado por tensiones comerciales y el resurgimiento del proteccionismo, Canadá y los países del Mercosur han decidido reactivar las negociaciones para alcanzar un acuerdo de libre comercio antes de que finalice el año 2026. Este esfuerzo se produce como respuesta directa a las políticas comerciales proteccionistas adoptadas por Estados Unidos.
CUESTIONES CLAVES
Prensa Comunitaria | 5-Jan-2026

Guatemala gana arbitraje tras años de resistencia pacífica en La Puya

La empresa minera Kappes, Cassidy & Associates (KCA), demandó a Guatemala por USD 499 millones ante un tribunal internacional, luego de que su proyecto minero El Tambor fuera suspendido por resoluciones judiciales tras la resistencia pacífica de comunidades organizadas en defensa de su territorio. El caso fue resuelto a favor del país, en un fallo que marca un precedente en materia de defensa territorial.
El Litoral | 5-Jan-2026

TBI y CIADI: el andamiaje legal del despojo

En una nota anterior abordamos el problema de la deuda “eterna”. Esta vez corresponde correr otro velo: el de un vaciamiento sistemático, disfrazado de legalidad internacional, que terminó costándole a la Argentina decenas de miles de millones de dólares. No se trata de un error técnico ni de una fatalidad histórica, sino de una construcción jurídica precisa, sostenida sobre los Tratados Bilaterales de Inversión (TBI) y el CIADI.
Infobae | 5-Jan-2026

EEUU declara en default a Perú por el impago de US$91 millones a Kuntur Wasi: el país queda al borde del embargo

Un tribunal federal de Estados Unidos declaró al Estado peruano en situación de default debido al incumplimiento del pago de 91 millones de dólares, por la cancelación unilateral del contrato para la construcción del Aeropuerto Internacional de Chinchero, en Cusco. El caso se basa en el Tratado Bilateral de Inversiones entre Perú y Argentina de 1994.
 
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A signer: Non à la ZLECAf, oui à un commerce pour les peuples, pas pour les multinationales

Nous vous invitons à signer ici la déclaration d’organisations de la société civile africaines.

Négociations
BFM | 7-Jan-2026

Bruxelles leur promettait 300 milliards d’euros d’aides, ce sera finalement 45 milliards de plus: pour faire passer la pilule de l’accord Mercosur aux agriculteurs, l’UE annonce une rallonge budgétaire

Bruxelles propose de débloquer de façon anticipée 45 milliards d’euros dès 2028 pour soutenir le secteur agricole, alors que la Commission européenne s’apprête à signer un accord commercial avec les pays latino-américains du Mercosur.
BFM | 6-Jan-2026

L’Italie prévoit de soutenir l’accord avec le Mercosur, la France ne serait donc plus en mesure de le bloquer à Bruxelles

La Commission européenne évoque des "progrès" dans les discussions entre Européens, malgré la colère des agriculteurs.
Business AM | 5-Jan-2026

La Turquie mise sur de nouveaux accords commerciaux pour renforcer son économie

La Turquie cherche activement à conclure des accords de libre-échange avec des pays du monde entier afin de renforcer son économie et ses partenariats internationaux.
Anadolu | 5-Jan-2026

Le Japon et le Bangladesh parviennent à un accord de principe sur le partenariat économique

Le Japon et le Bangladesh ont conclu un accord de principe de partenariat économique, a annoncé le ministère japonais des Affaires étrangères dans un communiqué.
Euronews | 5-Jan-2026

Des agriculteurs polonais manifestent dans tout le pays contre l’accord commercial UE-Mercosur

Partout en Pologne, des agriculteurs ont mené des protestations coordonnées contre le projet d’accord UE-Mercosur, craignant son impact sur l’agriculture polonaise.
Le Figaro | 5-Jan-2026

Mercosur : le gouvernement va interdire l’importation de produits d’Amérique du Sud «contenant des résidus de substances interdites en Europe»

Le premier ministre et la ministre de l’Agriculture annoncent qu’un arrêté sera pris pour bloquer l’importation de denrées venues d’Amérique du Sud. La France devra toutefois obtenir le feu vert de la Commission européenne.
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