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India-EU talks on free trade agreement expected soon
India, EU negotiators met informally for one round of talks on the free trade agreement in November and expert-level contacts were on, EU’s ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said.
Shifting trade winds: US bilateralism & Asia-Pacific economic integration
Certain long-standing provisions of trade agreements, specifically ISDS, are worthy of reconsideration.
Belt and Road and the battle for global investment standards
A new battle is taking shape on the world scene. It sees China and the West compete in affirming their respective investment standards around the globe.
Will Labour let Waitangi Tribunal complete TPPA inquiry
Labour promised at Waitangi that it will be accountable to Maori. That promise faces a major test next week, as the Crown responds in the Waitangi Tribunal’s inquiry on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
Nafta in play-the state of play following the sixth round of negotiations
The sixth round of the NAFTA 2.0 negotiations concluded on January 29 in Montreal. Some of the key areas covered in this round are summarized.
NAFTA will undermine health unless Canada resists monopolies on medicines
Time and again, Canadians reaffirm their belief in the basic principle of equitable access to health care for all. But the spirit of this very Canadian principle remains in peril as NAFTA negotiations forge ahead.
Forcing another free trade deal could result in a more divided Europe
As trade officials desperately try to move the long-delayed EU-Mercosur agreement forward, we must stop and consider that this deal is likely to go far beyond the balance of trade, and increase economic, social and political divisions within both continents.
Mozambique joins the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Southern African States
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) became the first regional EPA in Africa to be fully operational after its implementation by Mozambique.
RCEP talks: India ‘unhappy’ with revised service offers, too
India will register its unhappiness with the “inadequate’’ fresh offers in services made by partner countries negotiating the mega regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) as members converge in Indonesia this week for a crucial round of talks.
Include egg exports from India in proposed FTA with Oman: Livestock farmer
Livestock farmers have requested the Centre to include egg exports from India in the free trade bilateral agreement with Oman, which is expected during the visit of Prime Minister to Oman this month.
EU seeking to establish separate arrangements with ACP countries
The European Union is seeking to establish separate arrangements with members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group, as it prepares to enter into a new partnership agreement with these countries.
Free trade fantasies: Canada must reject both NAFTA and TPP
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has boasted of his commitment to progressive economic, environmental and social policies. At the same time, has been a passionate warrior in his pursuit and defence of so-called ‘free trade’ agreements.
Changed acronyms, same neoliberal ruse: The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Transpacific Partnership
The struggle to stop the Transpacific Partnership Agreement continues amid efforts to revive the zombie free trade deal.
Businessman sues SA too
A Johannesburg businessman, trying to sue the Mozambique government for over $91 million (R1 billion), has taken the SA government to court after officials allegedly sided with the neighbouring country in the dispute.
EU, Morocco sign trade deal, seemingly ignore Western Sahara
The document ignores the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) of Dec. 21 2016, which stated that Western Sahara is a “separate and distinct” territory from Morocco.
Sri Lanka eyeing longer talks with China on FTA
Sri Lanka wants a longer-time period to negotiate a free trade agreement with China as it is concerned about the economic impact of a rushed deal on their small country, the Sri Lankan ambassador said on Sunday.
Pakistan-China trade talks to begin in Beijing on Wednesday
place in Beijing on Wednesday. The government is preparing for the FTA dialogue with an aim to explore huge market of China ,” said an official of the ministry of commerce. China had recently offered to re-initiate the stalled talks on free trade agreement-II, which is likely to resolve the pending issues.
RCEP talks in Indonesia focus on concessions, crafting of sensitive list
As the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) made significant headway in January, negotiating countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are pressured to conclude the trade deal, and they try to make progress in the ongoing talks in Indonesia.
Delhi’s RCEP talks on intellectual property shouldn’t forget India’s role as ‘Pharmacy of the World’
India must resist pressure from Japan and South Korea in RCEP for the elevated levels of intellectual property provisions and make sure the deal doesn’t limit the production of life-saving generic drugs in India and for many other developing countries of the world.