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Canada to clinch trade deal with EU in September
Canada and the European Union will release final details of their mammoth trade deal on Sept. 25 in Ottawa, ending a marathon 10 months of bargaining since Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew off to Brussels to sign the initial agreement in principle, according to CBC News.
Fiji fears force deal with EU to save sugar industry
Fears of the collapse of Fiji’s multi-million dollar sugar industry prompted its government late last month to opt for an Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) with the European Union. Islands Business magazine investigated.
The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty
The UK-Colombia Bilateral Investment Treaty that was ratified by the House of Commons on 10 July 2014 poses grave risks to the achievement of human rights and the successful implementation of agreements currently being made in the peace dialogues between the FARC guerrilla and the Colombian Government in Havana.
’Sharing is not a crime’: Why a Colombian student faces prison for posting research online
A South American biologist who found a five-year-old master’s degree thesis online, then shared it with fellow graduate students on a Web page, could spend the next eight years in prison for copyright infringement — thanks to the US-Colombia FTA.
Ombudsman asks Council and Commission to publish more TTIP documents
The European Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, has called on the Council of the European Union to publish the EU negotiating directives for the on-going Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations with the US.
The era of mega-arbitration: International court rules against Russia in $50 billion decision
On 28 July 2014, an international arbitration tribunal announced that Russia must pay $50.02 billion in damages to former shareholders of the now defunct oil giant, Yukos Oil Company. Analysis by Kavaljit Singh.
Colombia, Japan agree to accelerate FTA process
Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos and the prime minister of Japan agreed to expedite the process of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Japan-Iraq BIT (2012)
Japan-Mozambique BIT (2013)
UPA may have left another can of worms in Anand Sharma’s free trade agreements
One of the most serious long-term damages done by any ministry under the UPA — in India — was commerce under Anand Sharma.
Michael Froman sets stage for Africa summit, AGOA debate
US Trade Representative Michael Froman on Tuesday called for a new “compact” to boost trade and investment with sub-Saharan African nations, as President Barack Obama prepares to meet with 50 African leaders next week and Congress looks at renewing a 14-year-old program for the region.
GIs becoming growing cheese trade barrier
The US National Milk Producers Federation and the US Dairy Export Council say that geographical indications established as a direct result of EU FTAs are a new and growing type of trade barrier restricting access to the Korean and other markets for key US cheeses.
EU: Overview of FTA and other trade negotiations
Overview of ongoing EU trade negotiations as of 8 July 2014.
Commission publishes summary state of play in TTIP negotiations – latest version now available
The EU has updated its document summarising the latest state of play in the TTIP negotiations. It now reflects progress made in the sixth round of the talks, which took place between 14 and 18 July in Brussels.
The EU and Cameroon implement an economic partnership agreement
The EU-Central Africa Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for trade and development between the EU and Cameroon will enter into force in the coming days following the recent ratification of the agreement by Cameroon.
Overview of EPAs - state of play
The European Commission has published a "state of play" outlining the current status of Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with ACP countries
EFTA hopes for free trade deal with India by autumn 2014
Negotiations between the European Free Trade Association — which includes Norway, Switzerland and Iceland — and India are expected to open a custom-free market for a country currently at 44% tariffs this year, reports iLaks.no.
Germany insists it hasn’t scuttled CETA: report
The German ministry of the economy has clarified its position on the Canada-EU trade agreement (CETA), saying it will “meticulously” examine the agreement as soon as it’s on the table, Agence France Presse reported Monday.
ASEAN holds out prospect of regional FTA with EU
Foreign ministers from the two regional blocs reaffirmed their commitment to possibly resuming negotiations on an EU-ASEAN FTA, upon realization of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of 2015.
590 Filipinas not covered by FTA came to Japan to work as caregivers
About 590 Filipinas who have come to Japan to work at nursing care facilities are not eligible for public support under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, Kyodo reports.