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Yet another step toward intransparent, undemocratic trade
30-Jun-2021 Power Shift
EU Commission will propose to split the already problematic EU-Mexico trade agreement
Decades of trade deals brought only slight benefit to US economy, commission says
30-Jun-2021 Politico
The conclusions of the study, commissioned by Congress, could lead to a dry period for new trade pacts.
Vietnam, Singapore begin negotiations on digital trade agreement
30-Jun-2021 The Diplomat
It is still too early to hail a digital economy agreement between Singapore and Vietnam. And it will be an even longer road before Vietnam can align itself with Singapore’s digital trade standards so that both nations can reap the full benefits of any potential agreement.
Taiwan tells US it hopes to sign free trade deal
30-Jun-2021 Reuters
Taiwan’s chief trade negotiator John Deng said on Wednesday he told the United States he hopes the two can sign a free trade agreement, a deal which would be a strong show of U.S. support in the face of relentless Chinese pressure against the island.
Biden’s fast-track trade authority is set to expire this week
29-Jun-2021 Bloomberg
President Joe Biden is about to lose one of his main tools for getting trade agreements passed in Congress, dimming the outlook for deals already in the works with UK and Kenya.
Prairie makes a claim against Polish government
29-Jun-2021 Mining Weekly
Prairie Mining has filed a £806-million statement of claim for compensation against the Republic of Poland as part of its ongoing international arbitration claims.
Costa Rica says wins arbitration case over open-pit gold mine
29-Jun-2021 Reuters
An international arbitration panel ruled Costa Rica does not owe Canadian miner Infinito Gold compensation after the cancellation of a mining project a decade ago.
Ecuador signs the ICSID Convention
29-Jun-2021 ICSID
Ecuador had denounced the ICSID Convention in 2009. The convention establishes the institutional and legal framework for resolving international investment disputes.
Corporate power and abuse is a root cause of migration
29-Jun-2021 People’s World
To seriously address the roots and causes of migration, it is urgent to dismantle the neoliberal rules which grant excessive privileges to transnational corporations.
Conquering EU courts? Big business lobbies in secret for new legal privileges in the EU
29-Jun-2021 CEO
Business lobby groups started lobbying the European Commission to create a new parallel justice system, similar to the old intra-EU BITs, but compatible with EU law.
Singapore to ink free trade deal with Latin American bloc by end of 2021
29-Jun-2021 The Straits Times
Singapore will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this year with the Pacific Alliance (PA), a trading bloc of four Latin American nations - Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
National Assembly approves ratification of African Continental Free Trade Area, opening door between Seychelles and 1.2 billion customers
29-Jun-2021 Seychelles News Agency
National Assembly of Seychelles approved the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
UK begins talks to join Asia-Pacific CPTPP trade treaty
28-Jun-2021 The Guardian
The UK is beginning negotiations to join a free trade alliance with Asia-Pacific countries, a key part of its attempts to pivot trade away from Europe after Brexit.
Publication of Australia-UK FTA Agreement in Principle and exclusion of ISDS welcome, but still much we don’t know
28-Jun-2021 AFTINET
The agreement in-principle does not give detailed information about the up to 30 chapters which are still being negotiated behind closed doors, and the full text will not be released until after it is signed.
Taiwan, US to resume TIFA talks on June 30
28-Jun-2021 Focus Taiwan
Trade negotiations between Taiwan and the United States under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) mechanism will resume on June 30 after a four-year hiatus, according to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
Trade pact faces day of reckoning
28-Jun-2021 Bangkok Post
Cabinet to mull report on whether to join CPTPP agreement, though critics say it must make out a strong case first.
Reconsidering RCEP’s Impact on Foreign Investment
28-Jun-2021 The Diplomat
Based on our analysis, RCEP does not ensure a new world order for FDI. Countries wanting to attract FDI cannot rest on the laurels of RCEP or its changes in ROOs.
Japan ratfies RCEP, world’s largest FTA including China and Asean
28-Jun-2021 The Star
Japan on Friday evening (June 25) ratified the RCEP, the world’s biggest Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries including China and 10 members of Asean, the Foreign Ministry said.
Singapore and UK start negotiation talks on a digital economy
28-Jun-2021 Marketing Interactive
Singapore and the United Kingdom have negotiation talks on a digital economy agreement, UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement (UKSDEA).
East Africa: Kenya moves to implement trade deal with EU as neighbours lag
25-Jun-2021 All Africa
A communique released after the meeting with EU chiefs indicated Kenya will be allowed to move forward with implementing the agreement, even after EAC member states hold reservations.