bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


Populist gains to complicate Europe’s free trade ambitions
Growing support for far-right parties has dominated the run-up to next week’s European Parliament elections but a lesser noticed theme is lurking: that protest parties on both right and left will try to scupper EU free trade talks.
Investor-state arbitration system needs ‘complete overhaul’
A prominent international lawyer has launched a scathing critique of the international arbitration system that deals with investor-state disputes, describing the investment treaties that give rise to this system as "weapons of legal destruction"
Doctors warn TPPA takes away our climate protection tools
The New Zealand Climate and Health Council warns that negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) threaten New Zealand’s ability to protect our climate and health.
PHL weighs impact of possible free-trade agreement with EFTA
The Philippines is set to undertake a study on the impact of a free-trade agreement with a European economic bloc as the country is scheduled to sign a declaration of economic cooperation with the European Free-Trade Association ministers this June.
Turkey demands free trade agreement with EU and US
Turkey has to be party to a proposed Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the US, Turkey’s Economic Ministry declared on Monday, stressing that otherwise Turkey should consider renouncing their custom union agreement with the EU.
Stephen Harper’s free trade deals not living up to the political hype
Canada’s Prime Minister may announce the conclusion of marathon trade negotiations with the European Union in Brussels on June 4-5, when he’s in town for a previously scheduled G7 leaders meeting. Then again, he may not.
India: Nokia mulls invoking bilateral investment treaty
Entangled in a protracted tax mess in the country, Nokia has said that it would like to address the issue under the bilateral investment treaty between Finland and India, sources told The Indian Express.
Free trade agreement with the US threatening fruit and vegetable diversity
The seed industry is planning to take advantage of the free trade agreement between the US and the EU (TTIP) to implement its patents in the European market.
Pakistan still pays 9pc duty on leather export to China under FTA regime
Pakistan is not benefiting from Free Trade Agreement with China, as the leather industry is still paying around 9 per cent import duty on its export goods to China owing to non-implementation of zero-duty under FTA regime.
RCEP negotiation in full swing amid challenges as region steps up integration
The fifth round of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks is set to commence in June, barely two months after the last round, a sign that the efforts by 16 Asian countries to create the world’s biggest free trade area are gaining momentum.
US-EU trade agreement will make higher education ‘more commercial’
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would subject higher education “to the commercial rules of trade agreements for the first time”, said David Robinson, consultant to Education International, the global federation of teachers’ associations and unions.
Zambia: State to determine EPA stance
Zambia, as chair of the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) states negotiating with the EU, has commissioned an impact study of the EPA in ESA countries to be ready in July. Then, each ESA state will decide whether to sign or not.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the rights of Mexican workers
The deep integration of the continent makes a continental labour response necessary and possible. However, the prospects of such a response depend on the political evolution in the Mexican working-class on both sides of the border, the political evolution of unions in North America, and more general developments in the politics and economy of each country.
Uruguay’s smoking laws draw tobacco fire
While Uruguay has been celebrated by liberals around the world for its bold steps to regulate cannabis, with new rules taking effect this week, its similarly pioneering attempts to control smoking of another, legal plant – tobacco – has earned it powerful enemies.
Colombia thrilled about Korea FTA
Colombia is set to gain a foothold in East Asia after a free trade agreement is signed with Korea.
Canada EU free trade deal still a long way off due to technicalities
The EU’s De Gucht said "technical problems’’ in 3-4 areas prevented him and Fast from sealing the deal while a senior Canadian official says even if a text is released, the deal is still a long way off because both sides would still need to consult with member states, provinces and lawyers.
Colombian farmers reach deal to end 11-day strike
Colombian farmers agreed on Friday to halt an 11-day strike that had threatened to damage President Juan Manuel Santos’s re-election campaign with just over two weeks left before the election.
Implementation of FTA with Indonesia urged
Emphasising the need for enhanced trade relations between Pakistan and Indonesia, the Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari on Thursday observed that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two needs to be implemented in letter and spirit for mutual growth and prosperity.
‘Thorny’ CETA issues to be tackled in coming weeks: EU trade chief
Besides dealing with final technical issues, the EU Commission is also fighting with member states over who has the competence over the deal.
Canada-EU trade deal: Trojan horse for contested ISDS?
The EU-Canada trade agreement – which may be concluded on May 8 at the Foreign Affairs Council – should not be used as a ‘Trojan horse’ to smuggle in a controversial Investor-to-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) warned the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).