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Drugs costs impact health
Canada’s negotiators extended data protection on biologics without knowing impact on prices.
Indonesia to ratify Pakistan trade deal to protect palm oil exports
The Indonesian government will push ahead and ratify a trade deal with Pakistan to protect $1.5 billion in annual palm oil exports to the South Asia nation, a cabinet minister said.
Special economic zones: engines of development or sites of exploitation?
Many SEZs have been associated with compressions of land, labour and human rights. Investment treaties protect investments against adverse regulatory change, including in SEZs. To date, investors have brought at least 20 arbitrations to challenge diverse aspects of SEZ regimes.
UPOV 91 and trade agreements: Compromising farmers’ right to save and sell seeds
Increased effort to include references to UPOV 91 in EU trade agreements impose intellectual property rights on seeds, which can restrict the farmers’ right to save and re-use seeds and undermine local seed systems
Randgold ready to mediate in Acacia’s Tanzania row before Barrick tie-up
Acacia threatened in October to use a bilateral investment treaty to force direct negotiations with Tanzania after Barrick failed to settle the row that has rumbled on for more than a year and a half.
Malaysia still studying CPTPP, says Tun M
Malaysia is still studying the implications and potential impacts of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before deciding to ratify the free trade agreement, said the Prime Minister
New Zealand to update trade agreement
The agreement should include e-commerce and new business formats. China is also a strategic market for Fonterra, which exports 95 percent of its products.
Australia Indonesia free trade deal to be signed next week
The two countries plan to ink the agreement on November 14, the second day of the ASEAN summit in Singapore.
Can’t fight the moonlight? Actually, you can: ICJ judges to stop acting as arbitrators in investor-state disputes
The “moonlighting” debate echoes another controversial practice: that of “double hatting”, in which individuals wear two “hats” by simultaneously acting as arbitrators and legal counsel in international investment arbitration.
Trade Ministry prepares to impose tariffs on Turkish goods
Jordan-Turkey free trade agreement’s termination comes after months of failed negotiations.
China and Singapore have concluded talks on upgrade of FTA: MTI
Both countries are working towards the signing of the upgrade protocol later this year, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry said.
EU-Japan trade deal clears hurdle on way to 2019 start
The European Parliament’s international trade committee voted 25 in favour to 10 against to clear the deal for a final vote in the parliament’s full chamber set for December 13.
Keynote address by George Kahale, III
Combined with the dispute settlement mechanism of international arbitration, investment treaties have been transformed intol "weapons of legal destruction."
Justice for Roşia Montană!
Roşia Montană voices to be heard in illegal Romanian gold mine litigation
Post-Brexit US trade deal risk to food safety, says ex-environment minister
Lord Deben believes the British public will not accept lower standards of animal welfare.
‘Pakistan-Indonesia PTA could be upgraded to FTA’
Indonesia is expanding trade partnerships with different countries and economic blocs and a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan is a part of the plans, said Indonesia Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita.
Dairy farmers ’very disappointed’ with USMCA
Dairy Farmers of Ontario spokesperson said the agreement by Canada to end the Class 7 pricing on some Canadian-produced milk ingredients, like protein concentrates, skim milk and whole milk powder, is a concern.
India’s refusal to sign mega trade pact this year gains support
India’s refusal to part-conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership this year is getting support from a handful of nations, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
Japan seeking wider coverage of trade agreement
Japan plans to expand the coverage of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement to include the e-commerce sector and more concessions in agriculture.
Miners want ISDS in Indonesia free trade agreement
Businesses in the mining sector and beyond insist protection for Australian investors in Indonesia is required in a free trade deal.