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EU-US FTA (TTIP) - EU negotiating mandate (draft May 2013)
31-May-2013 netzpolitik.org
The draft mandate dated 21 May 2013 is expected to be passed during a one-day session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council of Ministers on 14 June 2013.
Latest EU mandate for EU-US FTA shows priorities
31-May-2013 IP Watch
The draft mandate dated 21 May, expected to be passed during a dedicated one-day session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council of Ministers on 14 June, was leaked by German activist blog “netzpolitik.org”.
India, Thailand want FTA ’at the earliest’
31-May-2013 IANS
The prime ministers of both countries have directed their respective commerce ministers to work out the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) "at the earliest".
Better mad cow disease rating could boost US trade talks
31-May-2013 The Hill
American officials and beef producers are reveling in a new safety designation for US cattle and see the change as particularly relevant to ongoing Transpacific trade negotiations.
Witnesses at US trade hearing offer opinions (and warnings) on intellectual property in upcoming negotiations with the EU
31-May-2013 Infojustice
Today the Obama Administration’s inter-agency Trade Policy Staff Committee held the first day of its two-day hearing on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Do you want a US food safety standard with that chicken?
31-May-2013 IATP
To export agricultural goods, the US also exports food safety standards. The US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative will soon see if the member governments of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations will accept the way US chicken processors butcher the bird.
Slovak assets seized in dispute between state and Achmea
30-May-2013 Slovak Spectator
A Luxembourg court has ordered the sequestration of €29.5 million of assets owned by the Slovak Republic as part of a legal action brought against Slovakia by the Dutch company Achmea.
Consumer groups worry US-EU trade pact will weaken health, privacy regulations
30-May-2013 Euronews
US consumer groups raised concerns on Wednesday about the proposed free trade agreement between the US and the EU, which they said could weaken government health, environmental and food safety regulations and undermine privacy on the Internet.
China to study joining TPP
30-May-2013 Bangkok Post
China said it’s studying the possibility of joining the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, a move that comes about a month after the existing 11 members allowed Japan to join the negotiations.
EU, Canada’s differences over financial services holding up free trade pact: documents
30-May-2013 Canadian Press
Canada wants to keep a so-called “prudential carve-out” that would give Canadian regulators leeway to impose demands on European banks in the name of financial stability.
Framework for free-trade by this year: India
30-May-2013 PTI
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, on a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra to outline the framework of a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and elevate bilateral ties into a "strategic partnership".
Venezuela claims ICSID arbitration victory over Panama’s OPIC Karimun Oil Company
30-May-2013 Latin American Herald Tribune
Venezuela reported a triumph at the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in a case brought by Panama’s OPIC Karimun Corporation on compensation for losses it sustained when Venezuela nationalized oil fields in 2007.
Fisheries talks raise alarm
30-May-2013 The Telegram
Opposition politicians in Newfoundland and in Ottawa are expressing concern about potential fisheries industry giveaways at the negotiating table on Canada-Europe free trade talks, but the province’s fisheries union said Tuesday that fewer trade barriers would be a good thing.
Companies weigh in ahead of talks on free trade agreement
30-May-2013 Irish Independent
Lobbying by EU and US companies is accelerating as the two continents prepare to negotiate on an agreement that will form the world’s largest free trade union.
Colombia, Panama work toward free trade agreement
30-May-2013 AFP
Colombia and Panama started the seventh round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on May 28 and talks will last for four days, according to Panama’s Trade and Industry Ministry.
Food culture clash: EU, US conflicting concepts for GIs; both covet Asian market
30-May-2013 IP Watch
A US trade association is raising concerns about the US and EU imposing their own approaches to GIs through FTAs, partiuclarly in Asia
EU-Cameroon trade deal a threat to central African development
30-May-2013 Euractiv
Citing concerns over development and integration in Central Africa, GUE/NGL MEPs today voted against the ratification of an interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Cameroon in Brussels.
China-Norway free trade talks nearing agreement
28-May-2013 SCMP
China and Norway are close to the "final stage" of negotiations for a free-trade agreement, after talks were suspended for about two years following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to dissident Liu Xiaobo.
South American Silver lands international arbitration funding agreement
28-May-2013 Mining Weekly
Vancouver-based South American Silver (SAS), which early in May filed for arbitration against the Bolivian government over the cancellation of mineral tenements in 2012, has entered into a privileged arbitration funding agreement with an international investment fund specialising in such proceedings.
Ministry hails ’remarkable’ gains from FTA with Switzerland
28-May-2013 China Daily
Up to 99.7 percent of Chinese exports to Switzerland will receive zero tariffs after the FTA becomes effective, Assistant Minister of Commerce Yu Jianhua said