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Trade agreements risk undermining consumers’ right to repair, warns TACD Report
17-Dec-2025 TACD
The report details how digital trade rules, such as so-called “source code protection” provisions threaten to override ambitious right to repair laws now advancing in both the United States and European Union.
Korea to push for service sector FTA with China, CPTPP affiliation for export momentum
17-Dec-2025 Korea JoongAng Daily
Korea aims to strengthen its export-driven economy by pursuing a service-sector Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China and joining the Japan-led Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
EU Parliament votes to harden Mercosur safeguards before crunch talks with capitals
17-Dec-2025 Politico
The European Parliament voted to tighten additional protections on the EU’s trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, opening the way for talks with member countries that will need to find a rapid compromise to finally get the deal done.
India, Oman to sign free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat
17-Dec-2025 Business Standard
India and Oman will sign a free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat with an aim to boost economic ties between the two countries.
ISDS tribunal publishes decision in first Clive Palmer ISDS case more than a year after hearings
17-Dec-2025 AFTINET
The tribunal in the first Clive Palmer ISDS case, which claimed $300 billion from the Australian government, has published its decision 10 weeks after it was announced by the government and more than a year after the original hearings.
Korea, UK seal upgraded free trade deal easing auto export rules
16-Dec-2025 The Korea Herald
The agreement eases the rules of origin for Korean automobiles and consumer goods exports to the UK, while expanding market access for Korean firms in Britain’s high-speed rail and services sectors.
UK and South Korea strike trade deal
16-Dec-2025 BBC
British industries including pharmaceuticals, car manufacturing, alcohol and financial services are expected to benefit from an extension to the current tariff-free trade on most goods and services.
Cambodia applies to join trans-Pacific trade pact: Report
16-Dec-2025 Anadolu
Cambodia has applied to join the trans-Pacific free trade pact, officials from member countries.
France and Italy want Mercosur trade deal vote delayed, say sources
16-Dec-2025 Reuters
Italy and France want a final European Union vote on the Mercosur trade deal to be delayed, two sources familiar with the discussions said, a move which risks derailing an accord that has taken 25 years to negotiate.
Cameroon-China trade pact opens door to tariff‑free push for Cameroon exports
16-Dec-2025 Business in Cameroon
Cameroon and China have launched a new phase in their economic partnership with the signing of a framework agreement marking the first step towards the China-Africa Shared Development Economic Partnership Agreement (APECA).
Africa – Afreximbank : Start of construction of the African trade centre
15-Dec-2025 Africa 24
In Cairo, Afreximbank laid the first stone of its African Trade Centre, a strategic project aimed at strengthening intra-African trade and supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
NAFTA legacy case dropped
15-Dec-2025 CCPA
The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes has declined jurisdiction over a NAFTA legacy claim filed under CUSMA’s legacy annex by Access Business Group (Amway) against Mexico and ordered the claimant to pay $1.3M USD.
Canada launches public consultations ahead of FTA talks with India
15-Dec-2025 Hindustan Times
Canada initiates public consultations for a free trade agreement with India, aiming to boost trade and create jobs, with discussions ending January 27.
China, ROK to speed up second-phase FTA negotiations
15-Dec-2025 CGTN
Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan in Beijing on Saturday, with both sides agreeing to accelerate the second-phase negotiations of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement.
France calls to delay vote on EU-Mercosur trade deal
15-Dec-2025 Al Jazeera
France has urged the European Union to postpone a vote on a trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur, saying conditions are not yet in place for an agreement.
US-UK trade deal hits stumbling block
15-Dec-2025 The New York Times
The US government has paused a tech-focused trade pledge with Britain over broader disagreements about Britain’s digital regulations and food safety rules.
A comprehensive free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria may no longer be a fanciful idea!
15-Dec-2025 AfricanManager
Talks of a full free trade agreement between the two nations have frequently surfaced, seen as increasingly necessary and strongly recommended by their major partner, the European Union.
Malaysia–US Trade pact does not automatically open services without safeguards
15-Dec-2025 The Vibes
The Malaysian government has clarified that provisions in the Malaysia–United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement do not grant unchecked access to Malaysian services markets
Thailand looks to sign free trade deal with Bangladesh
15-Dec-2025 The Financial Express
Thailand has expressed strong interest in opening negotiations on a bilateral free-trade agreement with Bangladesh, a move that could significantly expand trade and encourage Thai investment, as Dhaka intensifies efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic engagement with South-east Asia.
China urges Gulf nations to seal free trade agreement
15-Dec-2025 The Business Standard
China’s foreign minister has pressed the Gulf Cooperation Council to conclude long-running talks on a free trade agreement with China, attributing the urgency to rising protectionism and unilateralism as free trade comes "under attack".