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Uganda denounces US plan to exclude it from duty-free trade programme
Uganda on Wednesday criticised a U.S. move to eject it and other African countries from accessing a tariff-free trade programme, saying the action was to punish African countries that are resisting the imposition of the West’s cultural values.
New Serbia-China trade deal violates EU accession rules, but is celebrated anyway
The free trade agreement Serbia signed with China, which is being hailed by Serbian politicians – along with all other agreements signed that day – will cease to apply on the day Serbia becomes a member of the EU.
India works on free trade deal with Gulf countries
After a delay of several months, India and the Gulf Co-operation Council have begun discussing the contours of a free trade agreement.
EU-Mercosur deal killed animal welfare law
The pending trade deal between the EU and South America’s Mercosur countries was the ’nail in the coffin’ of European plans to improve farm animal welfare.
It’s time to exit ISDS: 200+ labor, environment, and other civil society groups urge Biden to eliminate extreme corporate powers from existing trade pacts
The groups argue that removing ISDS — which has prioritized corporate rights over those of governments, people, and the planet — is needed to protect policies necessary for a clean energy transition.
Unions call for laws to ensure trade pact transparency
Unions are pushing for new laws to ensure workers’ rights and Australian jobs are considered when negotiating trade agreements.
An India-UK investment treaty might soon be clinched
India and UK seem to have moved towards common ground on dispute settlement, which was the most controversial part of the bilateral investment treaty.
US senators oppose Indonesia FTA that paves way for nickel subsidies
US lawmakers have expressed concern about signing a limited free trade agreement with Indonesia, as the country’s mining and refining industry is dominated by companies from China.
Canada backs Ukraine’s entry to CPTPP, trade minister says
Canadian trade minister Mary Ng reiterated Ottawa’s support for Ukraine’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, stressing the need to maintain high open market standards for the framework.
DTEK energy company claims $ 267 million victory in The Hague against Russia over Crimea assets
DTEK Group prevails in The Hague case, securing a $267 million award from Russia for the confiscation of assets in occupied Crimea.
Blow to Putin as Russia faces UK trial over $60bn Yukos oil battle
The Russian state will go on trial for failing to pay $60bn (£49bn) to former shareholders of defunct oil behemoth Yukos, after a British judge blocked the country’s bid for immunity.
Even rich nations now worried about ISDS
Governments the world over are worried about investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) rules. These allow foreign investors to sue them for billions over new laws or policies reducing their profits.
AGOA trade deal talks: South Africa will need to carefully manage relations with the US and China
South Africa must tread carefully in its economic relationships to avoid being caught in the escalating tension between east and west, and more specifically China and the US.
In the 1960s, the World Bank created a mechanism that allows corporations to sue states
The investor-state dispute settlement is a system that empowers foreign investors to sue a sovereign government. It was instituted in the 1960s against the votes of most Latin American countries — and continues to wreak havoc today.
India, UK see free-trade deal possibly in December after poll results
India and the UK don’t expect a free trade agreement to be announced until after state elections in the South Asian nation are completed in December.
EU/Mercosur trade agreement expected to be signed next semester, with Belgium presiding EU Council
Spain’s acting Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism has anticipated that the signature of the accord will be delayed until the next semester.
Paris court upholds Air Canada’s $21mn claim from Venezuela
The Paris Appeal Court has found in favour of Air Canada in its long-standing dispute with Venezuela over the payment of about USD21 million in compensation for airline ticket revenues withheld by the South American country.
S. Korea, EU to launch talks for digital trade agreement
South Korea’s trade ministry agreed with the European Union to launch negotiations for a digital trade agreement in line with efforts to seek broader partnerships in online commerce and data industries.
CEPA set to drive UAE-Turkiye’s trade
The UAE-Turkiye CEPA entered into force on September 1, 2023.
Saudi Arabia intends to sign more free trade agreements – report
Trade talks will be negotiated through the six-nation GCC bloc, says economy minister.