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EU-Tunisia FTA: EU proposals (July 2018)
As released by the European Commission
Five red flags for food, farming and fair trade under the UK’s new Brexit plan
“Brexit” presents a number of significant risks to the future of sustainable food and agriculture in both the UK and the EU.
Mexico touts progress in NAFTA talks with US, but toughest issues remain
Negotiators for Mexico and the United States have reached agreement on about 20 topics during talks to revamp NAFTA, Mexico’s economy minister said, although he conceded that some of the thorniest issues remained unresolved.
“Trade For All” consultation lacks credibility
“Trade For All” consultation lacks credibility while negotiations on old model continue.
Samoa cautioned in critical trade decisions
PACER-Plus is a highly problematic FTA containing far too many concessions by Forum Island Countries to Australia and New Zealand, reshaping Pacific Island economies.
Expropriation without compensation? Ask the British.
Zimbabwe is still seeking to have annulled two Awards issued by a tribunal of the ICSID. The disputes concern the government’s expropriation of timber plantations which were first established by Rhodes’ BSAC.
One hundred years of expropriation without compensation
On 29 July 1918, the British judiciary proffered the Empire’s most expressly and egregiously racist justification for the land dispossession of indigenous peoples. Today, an ICSID tribunal continues that mission. No matter which way Zimbabwean’s turn at the polls, they’re still paying for their invasion and occupation by Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa company...
“Malik does not know the basics of the Singapore FTA” – Association of IT Professionals
The Association of IT Professionals convened a press briefing in Colombo regarding the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in which they stated it appears Member of Parliament Malik Samarawikrama is not versed on the agreement and that they themselves showed the Minister the clause regarding manpower.
RCEP is intended to prevent government regulation and maximize private profit
Newsclick and Peoples Dispatch discuss the context in which the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is being negotiated.
RCEP talks make small progress in Bangkok, while resistance grows
The 23rd round of the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership talks over 10 days in Bangkok managed to resolve two more chapters, one on customs procedures and trade facilitation and one on government procurement.
Asia’s evolving ‘free’ trade deal may not benefit workers
Labor unions and workers’ rights advocates fear that the secretive RCEP agreement will further erode workers’ rights in the Asian region, while strengthening the hands of investors who may be able to sue governments for changing laws such as setting minimum wages, that would erode their profitability.
ASEAN urges partners to speed up RCEP talks amid US-China trade war
The escalating trade war between the US and China has prompted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to call for accelerated negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade framework involving ASEAN and six partner countries.
International trade community preps for packed autumn agenda, eyeing 2018/2019 deliverables
Upcoming calendar for international trade negotiators, according to ICTSD
Dozens of grassroots groups want changes to ‘secret’ trade pact
While some states in East and Southeast Asia favor the 16-nation RCEP trade deal, many civil society groups say it lacks transparency and public participation.
China wants free-trade talks with Norway to be accelerated
Free-trade talks between China and Norway should be sped up, the Chinese government’s top diplomat told his Norwegian counterpart, as the two countries step up efforts to put a row over the Nobel Peace Prize behind them.
Singapore eyes year-end to conclude world’s biggest free-trade deal
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Southeast Asian countries were "redoubling their efforts to conclude the RCEP … by the end of the year".
Swiss foreign investor claims it suffered US$264 million in damages caused by South Korean government
This is the fourth ISDS dispute this year in which the South Korean government is embroiled.
Concerns over Việt Nam-EU FTA signing
Việt Nam still needs to ratify - or commit to ratify - three conventions among eight core conventions of the International Labour Organisation required for the approval of the EVFTA by the EU
India’s model bilateral investment treaty: Are we too risk averse?
India’s Model BIT is "pro-state with limited rights to foreign investors" according to the US thinktank Brookings
Indian farm product tariffs curbing Australian exports, says Minister
Australia exported A$1.3 billion ($964 million) of agricultural goods to China in 2015/16, according to the latest figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.