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EU okays exemption of Japanese railway firms from procurement accord
26-Jun-2014 Bernama
The European Union has agreed to accept a request for exempting three Japanese railway operators from obligations under a global government procurement pact, Japan’s Jiji Press news agency reports.
Free trade agreement threatens PBS
26-Jun-2014 SBS
The threat of the Transpacific Partnership Agreement to Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is so real that Michael Moore, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia, has said “It will cost Australian lives".
Curtailing ties to have repercussions on the EU too, FTI warns
26-Jun-2014 The Nation
Thai industries yesterday warned the European Union that its decision to curtail diplomatic ties with Thailand after the military coup could result in mutual repercussions.
EU to sign Association Agreements with Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine this week
25-Jun-2014 RT
On Friday, the European Union will sign Association Agreements with Georgia and Moldova and complete the signature process with Ukraine, each providing for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
Investment treaty with China a top priority, US ambassador says
25-Jun-2014 WSJ
The US’s incoming ambassador to China said Thursday that hammering out a new investment treaty between the two countries would be among his priorities.
De Gucht downplays corporate dominance in TTIP talks
25-Jun-2014 EurActiv
Multinational companies will not be given too much power by a trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, the EU’s trade chief said on Tuesday (24 June), seeking to reassure consumer and environmental groups opposed to the pact.
Ukraine to sign EU deal that sparked revolution
25-Jun-2014 AP
On Friday, Ukraine will sign a sweeping economic and trade agreement with the European Union, a 1,200-page telephone book of a document crammed with rules on everything from turkeys to tulips, cheese to machinery.
Yes to a sustainable trade policy – no to the TTIP
25-Jun-2014 Brot für die Welt
This short publication highlights some of the potential risks that the EU-US free trade agreement represents to the developing and emerging countries.
Economic Partnership Agreements and agriculture: the challenges for Africa
25-Jun-2014 GRET
African countries that are not LDCs (Least Developed Countries) are now threatened with withdrawal of free access to the European market if they do not ratify an interim agreement with the EU before 1 October 2014
Finance ministry to move Cabinet for clearing new BIPA text
24-Jun-2014 TOI
Ignoring protests from India’s department of industrial policy and promotion, the department of economic affairs is planning to approach the Union Cabinet for a go-ahead for the new model text for bilateral investment protection agreements (BIPAs).
Canada targets South Africa as priority market in Africa
24-Jun-2014 Globe and Mail
Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast said he will continue to lobby South African leaders about the benefits of bilateral investment treaties, despite their rejection of the idea. Canada signed a BIT with Burkina Faso this month and Fast announced this week that Madagascar is moving toward a similar deal with Canada.
Norway ratified free trade agreement with Costa Rica and Panama
24-Jun-2014 FIS
Free trade agreement with Costa Rica and Panama has been ratified by the Norwegian Parliament, granting Norwegian fish exporters the same terms and conditions as their competitors in the region, which implies they will operate on equal footing with countries such as Chile.
Australia says China free trade deal likely by end of year
24-Jun-2014 Reuters
China and Australia, which have been trying to set up a bilateral free trade agreement for years, are determined to sign a deal by the end of this year, Australia’s trade chief said on Tuesday after talks with Chinese leaders.
European Citizens’ Initiative against TTIP and CETA to start soon
24-Jun-2014 Mehr Demokratie
Organisations from all across Europe are currently gearing up for a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) with the aim of repealing the European Union’s negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade Investor Partnership (TTIP) and not concluding the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
West Africa and Europe trade: Who will benefit more?
23-Jun-2014 Al Jazeera
ECOWAS leaders agreed in principle to the trade agreement but put it off until concerns raised by the regional heavyweight, Nigeria, were addressed before a final decision can be taken. Analysis from TWN Africa’s Sylvester Bagooro.
Free trade agreements and environmental destruction
23-Jun-2014 Counter Punch
Washington’s “free-trade agreements” throughout Central and South America are products of the West’s "culture of waste", and must count among their achievements the destruction of huge swathes of the region’s forests, the poisoning of its waters, and the ruin of scores of its indigenous communities.
Obama says hopes for Pacific trade pact in November
23-Jun-2014 Reuters
Pacific trading partners hope to have a free trade agreement ready to present to the public and stakeholders in November, US President Barack Obama said on Friday.
Civil society red-flags FTAs in letter to Commerce Minister
23-Jun-2014 Hindu Business Line
About 75 civil society organisations have written to India’s Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman conveying their concern on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
A plan only banksters will love: WikiLeaks reveals trade deal pushing global financial deregulation
22-Jun-2014 Democracy Now!
Democracy Now! discuss the leaked text with Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch and author of "The Rise and Fall of Fast Track Trade Authority."
WikiLeaks reveals global trade deal kept more secret than the Trans-Pacific Partnership
20-Jun-2014 Truthout
Embattled WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange announced Wednesday from London the publication of a secret draft text of the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA), a controversial global trade agreement said to make it easier for corporations to make profits and operate with impunity across borders.