Over 120 civil society organizations and trade unions from Indonesia and Europe today call on the Indonesian government and the EU to stop the negotiations for the Indonesia-EU free trade agreement – the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The organizations warn that this agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers, small farmers and fisherfolk.
CSOs in Europe and Indonesia are urging the EU and Indonesia to stop CEPA negotiations. The agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of vulnerable groups, while hindering Indonesia’s ability to develop its own raw materials value chain. The groups also raise concerns about privatization of energy, investor protections, and the inclusion of elements from Indonesia’s "Omnibus Law," which weakens labor protections.
While the Thailand - EFTA agreemnts avoids TRIPS-plus measures that would directly impact medicine access and the universal healthcare system, Thai CSOs group remain concerns regarding border measures and intellectual property enforcement.
The second round of negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement between the European Union and the Philippines will commence today in Manila amidst an unfolding trade war among the major trade powers triggered by Trump’s tariffs.
The French Court’s confirmation comes a week after representatives of the Spanish agricultural sector called on the EU to end tomato imports from Western Sahara.
Almost 40 years ago, the Left was warning about the consequences of tying Canada economically to the US. The election of Donald Trump is showing just how accurate those warnings were.
A free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union Free Trade Agreement is on track for completion next year with significant progress made during a second round of talks in Manila, the Department of Trade and Industry said.
The EU should adopt a pragmatic and open approach, pursuing CTIPs with countries with vast resources of raw materials and minerals, and with countries that present opportunities for cooperation on clean tech, based on a value-chain approach.
The EU seeks lower tariffs as India’s biggest FTA nears finalisation after nine rounds of talks, with the next set for March 10-14, boosting access for textiles, leather, and marine exports.
With the African Growth and Opportunity Act set to expire and Trump a free trade sceptic, what’s the future of US-Africa trade? Some analysts argue that Washington should shift its focus from AGOA towards building a new partnership centred around AfCFTA.