bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


’New economic chapter’ as Indonesia free-trade agreement begins
Australia’s new free-trade agreement with Indonesia, the world’s fourth largest country, officially began on Sunday.
BD plans signing FTAs with African countries
The government has planned to sign free trade agreements, or FTAs,with some African countries, including Morocco, to boost the country’s export earnings, officials said.
Civil society groups sound alarm over COVID-19 claims in ’corporate courts’
Countries could be facing a wave of cases from transnational corporations suing governments over actions taken to respond to the Covid pandemic using a system known as investor-state dispute settlement, or ISDS. Some 630 organisations from across the world, representing hundreds of millions of people, are calling on governments in an open letter to urgently take action to shut down this threat.
Swiss ‘Stop Palm Oil’ plea ready for referendum consideration
Activists in Switzerland are calling for a ‘Stop Palm Oil’ referendum opposing the Swiss free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia. They submitted thousands of signed petitions to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Monday.
Niue ratifies regional PACER Plus trade agreement
Niue has ratified the regional trade agreement PACER Plus, pushing it closer to implementation.
Brexit: Serious differences over trade deal, say UK and EU
The UK and EU have said serious differences remain over a post-Brexit trade deal, following the latest negotiations in Brussels.
EU-Mercosur deal will have devastating impact on climate, NGOs warn
While the agreement still has to be approved by the European Parliament and Council, farmers and environmental NGOs remain disappointed.
Countries serious about climate change should leave the Energy Charter Treaty, says former ECT official
Interview with Yamina Saheb, former head of unit in the Energy Charter Treaty Secretariat .
Japan and Britain aim for trade deal by end-July
Japan and Britain aim to clinch a trade deal by the end of July and Tokyo wants to secure at least the same automobile tariffs as it has in its existing European Union trade pact,
Prairie Mining secures litigation funding to sue Poland
The claims had arisen out of certain measures taken by Poland, allegedly in breach of the Energy Charter Treaty and the Australia-Poland Bilateral Investment Treaty.
First annulment of investment arbitration award by Supreme Court
In a recently published decision, the Supreme Court – for the first time – partially annulled an arbitral award issued in an investment arbitration brought by Clorox España SL against Venezuela.
Mercosur leaders look to close EU deal despite Macron’s resistance
Mercosur ministers reported progress on the final text of a trade agreement with the European Union on the eve of a summit meeting overshadowed by French President’s latest comments against the deal.
How CPEC left behind the people of Gwadar
The locals of Gwadar have little to show from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – except for broken promises.
Thailand prepares to sign RCEP pact minus India
Fifteen Asia-Pacific countries will sign the RCEP trade pact by the end of 2020 but India will not be among them.
New NAFTA trade deal deepens oil and gas dependency during climate crisis
The deal provides loopholes for oil, gas, and mining companies to operate across borders, and paves the way for US companies to export even more fracked natural gas across the border into Mexico.
Putting sombreros on par with Champagne
The European Union mulls protecting handicrafts in the same way as gourmet food amid a push from Latin American countries.
EU-Vietnam free trade deal to take effect 1 August
The free trade agreement between the European Union and Vietnam, known as EVFTA, will come into force on 1 August, according to a Vietnamese government statement on 18 June.
Africa free-trade vision clouded by virus and pace of talks
A historic deal to smash down tariff barriers within Africa is being braked by the coronavirus pandemic and a thicket of negotiating problems.
Switzerland — UK to negotiate a bilateral financial services agreement
Cross-border financial services trade between the UK and Switzerland is set to become easier, thanks to a commitment signed June 30.
New North American trade deal launches under growing threat of disputes
The revamped trade pact between the United States, Canada and Mexico taking effect on Wednesday was meant to create a kind of fortress North America, boosting the region’s competitiveness - but cracks are already starting to show in the foundation.