bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles


Lula pledges to defend SMEs in EU-Mercosur deal
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva insisted that his government’s purchases were “non-negotiable” and promised not to give in because it would entail killing the possibility of growth of small and medium-sized companies.
How colonialism shaped free trade agreements: from colonies to neoliberalism (part 3/3)
Colonial practices are still felt today, as capital-exporting states and their investors shape trade and investment rules while ignoring the populations of capital-importing countries.
CSO letter to the Commerce Minister on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and India joining the trade pillar
On behalf of the Forum for Trade Justice, a CSO letter has been sent to the Indian Commerce Minister. The letter highlights the perils of participating in the IPEF and urges the Commerce Minister to withdraw from the IPEF processes.
British Secretary of State emphasizes progress in GCC-UK free trade agreement negotiations
Kemi Badenoch, the recently appointed British Secretary of State for Business and Trade, has expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations for a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-UK free trade agreement.
Kerala: Rubber farmers hold day-night protest demanding MSP for rubber, withdrawal of rubber bill
The Kerala Karshaka Sangham held a massive march and day-night protest on May 25 and 26 on various demands of the rubber farmers, including withdrawing from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) India - ASEAN.
Empty promises and prospects: The US-led economic agreement is a liability for Fiji
This weekend in Detroit, Trade Ministers from eleven countries will be meeting for the latest round of negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a secretive geopolitical and economic agreement aimed to curtail China.
Civil rights groups warn trade talks may hurt efforts to counter discriminatory algorithms
A coalition of civil rights and consumer protection groups warned in a letter to President Biden that ongoing trade talks risk eroding efforts to mitigate algorithmic discrimination.
What to watch at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial in Detroit
As trade ministers gather for the second ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks, recent developments on the ground in Detroit indicate that politically powerful groups are watching with great anticipation.
NGO’s urge Colombia to sink investor protection treaties
Investment disputes led to $2.4 billion claims in Colombia.
Analysis: UAE steps up pace of solo trade deals in regional economic race
The United Arab Emirates is increasingly pursuing bilateral trade deals outside of the Saudi-headquartered regional Gulf Cooperation Council, as competition with Riyadh intensifies for economic dominance in the oil-rich region.
India-SICA FTA to be implemented in coming months: Guatemalan Ambassador in India
India and Central American Integration System (SICA) are in the final stages of negotiating the free trade agreement (FTA) and it is expected to be implemented in the coming months.
Eurasian economic union meets to speed up proposed FTA with India
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has decided to expedite the proposed free trade agreement with India that would give Indian companies market access to resource-rich Eurasia where China is making deep inroads.
India, Australia free trade pact talks in June, July: FS Vinay Kwatra
Regarding the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations between India and Australia, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that they are planned in the month of June, and July respectively regarding the deadline set for CECA negotiations.
How colonialism shaped free trade agreements: the imposition of Western legal regimes (part 2/3)
Colonialism resulted in the imposition of a legal trade and investment regime favourable to European colonial states and companies, which is still felt today.
NGOs urge EU not to ratify damaging trade agreement with the Mercosur block on back of new deforestation law
50 environmental and human rights groups from around the world expressed grave concern that the EU will use its new deforestation regulation to ratify the trade deal with Mercosur.
Disagreements between US, Asian nations complicate IPEF negotiations
The challenges underscore the scheme’s ambitious nature and ‘great difficulty in reaching agreements among a very heterogeneous group of countries’, say analysts.
Korea to restart FTA revision talks with Chile after two-year hiatus
The negotiations will cover all areas of the two nations’ FTA, including goods, cooperation, trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, gender equality, labor, and the environment.
Dutch bilateral investment treaties: 60 years of protecting multinationals
Nowadays, the Netherlands has 75 bilateral investment treaties with countries all over the world, which mainly give multinationals a powerful instrument that has far-reaching consequences for people and the environment worldwide.
WTO e-commerce moratorium: FTAs as the logical next step?
FTAs are providing a way forward for WTO Members who are adamant about the continued application of the e-commerce moratorium.
Catch-22: Canada’s attempts to phase out fossil fuel might result in it paying the polluters
US$20 billion: That’s how much American investors think Canadian taxpayers should fork over to compensate them for their failed bid to develop a liquefied natural gas facility in Québec.