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Pakistan-China Economic Partnership stalled
The FTA has been repeatedly been criticised by businessmen in Pakistan, who believe that Pakistan had negotiated poorly.
Commission reports on eleventh negotiation round with five Eastern and Southern African countries to deepen existing Economic Partnership Agreement
The European Commission published the report summarising progress made during the latest negotiation round to deepen the existing Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with five Eastern and Southern African partners.
Europe’s disunity over China deepens
France, Germany and EU institutions are at odds over whether to revive the stalled Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with China.
Brazil hopes for conclusion to EU-Mercosur trade deal this year
Brazil hopes the Mercosur trade deal with the European Union (EU) will be concluded this year, a government official said, ending years of delay and opening the way to increased trade between the two regions.
Digital divide: India-UK FTA faces data flow rift
India’s insistence on data localization is a “major stumbling block" to a planned free trade agreement with the UK, a report tabled in House of Commons said, signalling continuing differences on cross-border data flow issues.
Green light for enforcement of investor-state arbitration award in Australia
The decision recognised and enforced an ICSID arbitration award obtained by a renewable energy investor against the Spanish Government for €101 million.
MPs criticise lack of information and unhelpful responses from Government on India trade negotiations
In the International Trade Committee’s report on UK trade negotiations with India, MPs note that the briefings they have received from Government on the negotiations, designed to inform the Committee’s all-important scrutiny, have been extremely limited in scope.
India-UK free trade agreement to resume from April 24; here’s what to expect as PM Modi, Rishi Sunak plan to expedite progress
Negotiations on the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) are set to resume from April 24 after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi spoke over the phone and agreed to expedite progress on outstanding issues.
Albania moves to establish local arbitration court to replace ICSID
Despite warnings that it could deter investment, Albania is pushing ahead with plans to establish a local commercial court to replace the World Bank-funded international arbitration body.
EU-Mercosur: Banned pesticides found on Brazilian limes in EU
A Greenpeace Germany study of Brazilian limes sold in the EU has found residues of several pesticides, some of them banned for use in Europe.
USTR’s Tai: Indo-Pacific trade talks could see results this year
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Indo-Pacific Economic Framework trade negotiations are progressing "at a very quick pace" and she expects results from the talks as early as by the end of the year.
Trade rep Kachka: Ukraine plans to start talks on joining Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2023
The Government of Ukraine will soon make a decision on Ukraine’s application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Deputy Economy Minister, Trade Representative of Ukraine said.
Russia embarks on a major BRICS offensive to upgrade BIT and complete EAEU FTA agreements
Trade meetings with China, Brazil and India are paving the way for a rapid increase in Russia-BRICS trade and underpinning its strengths
Bangladesh holding free trade talks with 11 countries: PM Hasina
Bangladesh is discussing free trade agreements with 11 countries, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, as the South Asian country seeks new means to promote exports once preferential tariff exemptions expire in three years.
Elizabeth Morgan | OACPS/EU – Post-Cotonou Agreement still in limbo
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 was the third anniversary of the establishment, as a full international organisation, of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
AfCFTA not a silver bullet to increase SA’s agricultural exports in Africa
Does the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) present an opportunity for South Africa (SA) to further expand its agricultural exports into the continent, or is it just a pipe dream?
IFC: AfCFTA is becoming a lot of talk — we need to fix regulations
Makthar Diop, the managing director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), says the Africa Free Trade Continental Agreement (AfCFTA) is becoming a lot of talk, and may not become a reality if laws and regulations are not fixed.
Corporations dominate trade advisory panels
Trade advisers get special access to agreements and can comment on them before they are made public. More than 4 out of 5 advisers represent corporations.
International “digital trade” agreements: the next frontier
International trade agreements, typically negotiated in secret and without public deliberation, could prematurely deter or undercut ongoing efforts to regulate the tech industry.
International preemption by “trade” agreement: Big Tech’s ploy to undermine privacy, AI accountability, and anti-monopoly policies
The bottom-line is that the USMCA and related TPP digital rules that represent the agenda promoted by Big Tech interests must not become the model or starting text for future agreements.