bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language

English
Tagalog
Independence and impartiality of arbitrators in investor-state arbitration: perceived problems and possible solutions
4-Apr-2019 EJIL: Talk!
The principle that adjudicators must be independent and impartial is at the core of any adjudicatory mechanism. It plays an important role in Investor-State arbitration, where arbitrators typically sit for a short amount of time and are not career judges.
2019: USTR takes aim at European countries over pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies
4-Apr-2019 KEI
In its latest report on foreign trade barriers, the USTR, prompted by the pharmaceutical industry, takes aim at the pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies in the European Union.
Negative list makes debut in FTA talks
4-Apr-2019 China Daily
China used the negative list system for the first time to conduct negotiations on service trade and investment during the second phase of China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement talks.
China’s construction binge spreads to Americas, rattles US
4-Apr-2019 AP
China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders since the 19th century have seen as off-limits to other powers.
CETA: Demande de transparence en matière de coopération réglementaire votée à l’unanimité
4-Apr-2019 RTL
Le Parlement de Wallonie a adopté une proposition de résolution amendée relative à la transparence en matière de coopération réglementaire dans le traité de libre-échange entre l’Union européenne et le Canada, le fameux CETA.
Indonesia blocks imports, EU scrambles
4-Apr-2019 Palm Oil Monitor
In a dramatic escalation in the war over palm oil, Indonesia has upped the stakes and this week tightened imports of European spirits as a direct response to the Renewable Energy Directive Delegated Act.
Pak-Iran FTA draft likely to be signed this month
4-Apr-2019 The News International
Pakistan and Iran are most likely to finalise the draft for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the two-day talks on April 22-23 to be held in Islamabad.
S. Korea to resume talks with Indonesia on FTA
4-Apr-2019 Yonhap News
South Korea will hold its first negotiations with Indonesia in five years to forge a bilateral free trade deal later this month.
Xinhua headlines: New Zealand PM’s China visit to promote ties, boost cooperation under BRI
4-Apr-2019 Xinhua Net
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying New Zealand welcomes investment from Chinese enterprises and pledging to create a favorable business environment without discrimination against any enterprise from any country.
Myitsone dam is now a sovereignty issue
4-Apr-2019 The Irrawaddy
Public opposition to the controversial Myitsone Dam project is gaining momentum ahead of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s upcoming visit to China.
UN special procedures mandate holders’ letter to UNCITRAL WG III on ISDS reform
3-Apr-2019 UNCITRAL
We wish to express our overarching concerns that international investment agreements and their ISDS mechanism have often proved to be incompatible with international human rights law and the rule of law.
Call for mobilization to defend our alternatives against the G7
3-Apr-2019 Alternatives G7
France is the host country of the next G7 meeting to be held in Biarritz from 24 to 26 August 2019. Actions are planned during the week preceding this summit, from 19 to 23 August.
Top House Democrat cites labor, enforcement concerns on new NAFTA
3-Apr-2019 Reuters
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said lawmakers could not take up the replacement for NAFTA unless Mexico passes legislation protecting workers’ rights. She also cited concerns over enforcement provisions, among other issues.
Sweden hopes to increase commercial relationship with Ecuador
3-Apr-2019 Fresh Plaza
The parties expressed their interest in exploring the possibility of initiating negotiations of a bilateral investment agreement.
PBO report shows that new NAFTA provisions threaten Pharmacare, says Council of Canadians
3-Apr-2019 Council of Canadians
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) revealed that new intellectual property provisions in the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement would cost Canadians as much as $169 million more per year for pharmaceutical drugs
Implementation of AfCFTA in Nigeria will increase unemployment among farmers – NANTS warns
3-Apr-2019 Independent.ng
The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has warned that the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in Nigeria would increase unemployment among farmers, and farm workers in the country.
Africa’s free trade deal reaches required minimum ratifications
3-Apr-2019 The New Times
The Gambia became the 22nd country to ratify the agreement effectively helping meet the minimum threshold.
US and China are reportedly drawing closer to a final trade agreement
3-Apr-2019 CNBC
American and Chinese officials negotiating a trade deal have resolved most of the outstanding issues but are still haggling over how to implement and enforce such an agreement.
China FTA safeguard sting
2-Apr-2019 Queensland Country Life
If safeguard is triggered, tariff reverts to the lesser of WTO most-favoured-nation (MFN) applied rate of customs duty in effect on the date the safeguard measure is applied or the original base rate of the tariff reduction schedule.
Reforming investment dispute settlement: A stocktaking
1-Apr-2019 UNCTAD
Investor-State dispute settlement continues to be controversial, spurring debate in the investment and development community and the public at large. States are responding to challenges and concerns surrounding ISDS through different avenues.