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Manila targets June conclusion for EU free trade deal
26-May-2026 Manila Bulletin
The Philippines will hold the next round of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union next month, taking one step closer towards the conclusion of a historic deal that would grant wider market access to the country’s exports.
Textile companies look to tap into prospects offered by FTAs
26-May-2026 The Times of India
Free trade agreements offer the Indian textile industry a significant opportunity to expand its share in the EU, UK, and other markets, as they boost competitiveness.
India, South Korea begin next round of negotiations on upgrading trade pact
26-May-2026 Devdiscourse
India and South Korea have begun the 12th round of negotiations to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, amid concerns over India’s widening trade deficit with the country.
Written notification of withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty
26-May-2026 Energy Charter
Romania deposited with the Energy Charter Secretariat a written notification of its decision to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty.
EU, Mexico sign revamped trade deal amid Trump tensions
26-May-2026 Euractiv
The EU and Mexico signed a revamped trade agreement at a summit in Mexico City, attended by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council António Costa.
India’s Goyal to visit Canada with 150 business leaders to boost trade ties
26-May-2026 Reuters
India expects to sign ​a free trade agreement with Canada covering sectors such as energy and critical minerals, while creating opportunities for Indian textile and ​leather companies, India’s Trade Minister said.
US hopes to clinch trade deal soon but India wants tariff clarity
26-May-2026 The Hindu Businessline
The US is angling for an early interim trade deal with India, aiming to push negotiations towards a final conclusion during the visit of a high-powered American trade delegation to New Delhi in the coming weeks.
Japan, Mercosur to start EPA trade talks, Kyodo says
26-May-2026 Reuters
Japan will start economic partnership agreement ​talks with the South ‌American trade bloc Mercosur, the Kyodo news agency reported.
Shell and the creation of international investment law, 1957–1968
22-May-2026 European Journal of International Law
This article explores the role that Shell – in particular, through its legal department – played in shaping international investment law from 1957 to 1968.
UAW urges tougher labor rules in US-Canada-Mexico trade talks
22-May-2026 Reuters
United Auto Workers leaders called for stronger pay standards and mandates that carmakers build where they sell, ​ahead of Washington’s upcoming talks on a new trade ‌deal with Canada and Mexico.
NGO urges DTI to omit plant protection item in trade talks with EU
22-May-2026 Inquirer.net
A nongovernmental organization is urging the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to exclude a provision on protecting new plant varieties in the ongoing trade negotiations between the European Union and the Philippines.
Stop the “modernised” global and free trade agreement between the European Union and Mexico
21-May-2026 European Trade Justice Coalition
We, the civil society organisations who have signed this letter, are writing to the political leaders of Mexico and the European Union to urge them not to ratify either the “modernised” Free Trade Agreement.
Ukraine is set to conclude a free trade agreement with Serbia
21-May-2026 The Odessa Journal
In addition to the EU, Ukraine is working on integration and the conclusion of free trade agreements with the countries of the Western Balkans. In particular, a free trade agreement with Serbia is planned to be concluded in the coming months.
UK trade deal with Gulf turns a blind eye to human rights abuses, say campaigners
21-May-2026 Trade Justice Movement
The deal locks the UK into deeper commercial ties with some of the most repressive governments in the world, for economic gains so marginal they barely register.
UK strikes £3.7bn trade deal with six Gulf states
21-May-2026 The Guardian
The UK has struck a trade deal with six Gulf states in what he described as a huge win for British business, ending four years of talks led by four different prime ministers.
Russian government submits investment promotion agreement with Congo to State Duma for ratification
21-May-2026 African Initiative
The Russian government has submitted to the State Duma a bill on the ratification of an intergovernmental agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments with the Republic of the Congo.
The rise of ICSID claims against Sub-Saharan African states
21-May-2026 Kluwer Arbitration Blog
February 2026, ICSID published its report on cases registered in 2025. This report revealed that a record number of cases were filed against states in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICSID’s statistics indicate that 15 cases were registered against these states, constituting almost a quarter of all ICSID cases registered in 2025.
Ghana plans pilot digital trade corridor to support AfCFTA
21-May-2026 Ecofin Agency
Ghana plans pilot digital trade corridor supporting AfCFTA cross-border transactions. Rwanda and Zambia join interoperability tests for payments, IDs, and invoicing. Initiative targets costly delays hindering Africa’s growing digital trade market.
India may not sign FTAs, to opt for deeper ties with customs unions in Africa, say officials
21-May-2026 The Hindu
Google Preferred Source India will not attempt signing free trade agreements (FTA) with the African continent ‘as of now’, and will instead prioritise commercial ties with the trading blocs and customs unions in the continent, said officials here on Saturday (May 9, 2026).
AfCFTA Secretariat deepens Canada ties in high-level Ottawa talks
21-May-2026 BFT online
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has taken a significant step toward strengthening global partnerships following a high-level engagement in Ottawa with senior officials of Global Affairs Canada (GAC).