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PM: Vietnam backs negotiations on future Vietnam-UK FTA
The two sides should continue technical discussions to define the framework and issues need to be negotiated, thereby creating favourable conditions for the later negotiation process, Vietnamese Prime Minister said.
NZ first country to ratify PACER Plus trade deal
New Zealand has become the first country to ratify a Pacific free trade deal.
USTR to hold hearing in Dec. on trade talks with Japan
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer suggested President Donald Trump’s administration will push Japan to address tariff and nontariff barriers in sectors such as automobiles, agriculture and services.
Malaysian renewable energy investor initiates ICSID arbitration against Sri Lanka
KLS Energy Lanka, the local subsidiary of Malaysian renewable energy producer Energy Sdn Bhd of Malaysia has initiated ICSID arbitration under the Sri Lanka-Malaysia BIT
Joint ITUC-Africa/ETUC/ITUC statement on the EU-Africa EPAs and EU-Africa trade relations
Trade unions from Africa and Europe have followed with grave concern the negotiation and conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the EU and regional groupings in Africa.
EU-Vietnam trade and investment agreements (Aug 2018)
As published by the European Commission
As if the USMCA dairy concessions were not bad enough…
It is deeply concerning, though not surprising, that the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has at least three chapters that formally entrench corporate influence on government decision-making.
International investment law and sustainable development: Key cases from the 2010s
The selection of 10 key cases for this book has been made based on investment disputes that have implications for sustainable development, in its three dimensions: economic development, social development and environmental protection.
NAFTA 2.0 and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)
US-Canada ISDS is terminated; expansive investor rights eliminated and new review procedures mostly replace ISDS between US and Mexico.
How to make investment agreements more progressive: stop signing them
Unverified rumours circulated in early 2018 that Canada was willing to abandon NAFTA’s provisions entitling foreign investors to sue for damages under what is called investor-state dispute settlement, or ISDS.
Australia abandoned plans for Taiwanese free trade agreement after warning from China
Australia walked away from plans for a free trade agreement with Taiwan after China warned any deal would hurt relations between Beijing and Canberra.
How the lobbies used the threat of ISDS to neuter the Hulot Act
The documents highlight for the first time the pressure placed on the French parliament by a foreign company’s threat to use the ISDS mechanism.
"Deal" or "Secret Deal" – the EU-UK trade deal looks even more secretive than TTIP
While the media focus on the withdrawal deal, City lobbyists are working to set the agenda of the future EU-UK trade deal, whilst the public is kept in the dark.
Trade strategy hui attracts 17,000 online viewers
The hui on What an Alternative and Progressive Trade Strategy Should Look Like at Auckland University’s Fale Pasifika attracted a remarkable 16,831 pageviews over the two days of live-streaming.
Labor urged to back Peru trade deal
The federal government has urged Labor to support the Peru trade deal amid concerns the opposition’s new trade policy will blow up an agreement that has ­already been signed.
World chambers in Nairobi for free trade pact forum
Nairobi will from Tuesday host an African Chambers forum to help fast track realisation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as well as prepare businesses for the block.
TPP-11 may take effect by year-end: Japanese minister
The 11-country free trade agreement formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership may take effect by the end of this year, Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s minister in charge of negotiations, revealed Friday.
Termination of bilateral investment treaties: Alternatives for Least Developed Countries
The goal of this study is to outline the choices LDCs have at their disposal for terminating their BITs and the legal questions arising from termination.
It’s time to stop giving more rights to global corporations
The UN Conference on Trade and Development new research shows that increased market power of global corporations is driving global income inequality. It recommends a review of existing regulation and trade agreements to develop “measures to curb abusive business practices.”
NZ red meat sector reacts to CPTPP ratification
The New Zealand red meat sector is urging other member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to complete their ratifications so the treaty can come into force.