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Coup d’etat to trade seen in billionaire toxic lead fight
28-May-2013 Bloomberg
Most of La Oroya’s children suffer elevated lead levels, according to the Peruvian government. Parents say some have symptoms — consistent with lead poisoning — that include anemia, convulsions, stunted growth, mental retardation.
Regional consolidation, cross-regional tie-ups, or multilateralization of East Asian FTAs?
27-May-2013 Vox EU
So far, research on the impacts of free trade agreements in east Asia assume the full utilisation of preferences. This column argues that newer evidence suggests that this assumption is made in error: estimated uptake is particularly low in east Asia. If we assume a more realistic utilisation rate in estimating impacts, results suggest that actual utilisation rates significantly diminish the benefits from preferential liberalisation, but in a non-linear way. In the absence of Doha, the multilateralisation of preferences, even without reciprocity, is the practical route that is most likely to deliver the greatest benefits to WTO members.
LA social movements map solidarity with ALBA alliance
27-May-2013 GLW
An important summit of global significance, held in Brazil May 16-20, has largely passed below the radar of most media outlets, including many left and progressive sources.
Would TPP be good or bad to Vietnam’s agriculture?
27-May-2013 VietNamNet
Analysts have warned that Vietnam’s agriculture, which has been protected with the high import tariffs, would suffer from TPP once the import tariffs are removed
CARICOM-US to sign trade accord
27-May-2013 Jamaica Observer
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries will sign a trade investment framework agreement with the United States during the visit of Vice President Joe Biden to Trinidad and Tobago next week.
EU trade chief to seek investment pact with China
27-May-2013 SMCP
The European Commission will seek the support of EU governments to launch talks with China on an investment pact that could be a precursor to a free-trade deal if Brussels and Beijing can overcome growing tensions.
UAE and India to conclude Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement soon
27-May-2013 Gulf News
The UAE and India have agreed in principle to start negotiation on Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement and conclude it at the earliest during Indian Finance Minister P.Chidamabaram’s official UAE visit yesterday, a top Indian diplomat told Gulf News yesterday.
At trade talks, US, EU ready for fight on genetically modified crops
26-May-2013 Washington Post
Opposition to US agricultural practices is threatening to become a major battle in discussions starting next month that could sweep away trade barriers between the United States and Europe.
Turkey fears being left out in the cold by EU free trade deals
26-May-2013
Frustrated with the slow progress of its bid to join the EU, the rash of free trade pacts Brussels is negotiating that leave Turkey out in the cold has Ankara threatening to tear up its customs union agreement.
Unfair, unsustainable, and under the radar
26-May-2013 Democracy Center
A new paper from the Democracy Center sheds an urgent public light on the system of international investment rules and arbitration tribunals that is being used by corporations to undermine citizen and government action on a range of urgent social and environmental issues.
Japan to join KL’s TPP talks in July
25-May-2013
Negotiators working on a trade agreement among 11 Asia-Pacific nations have completed a 17th round of talks in Peru for the so-called Trans-Pacific Partnership, and say Japan will join the talks when they reconvene in Malaysia in July.
Conclusion of FTA talks creates vast space for deepening Sino-Swiss ties: Premier Li
25-May-2013
The conclusion of talks over a free trade agreement (FTA) between China and Switzerland will create a vast space for further development of bilateral ties and is also conducive to the development of China-Europe relations, visiting Chinese Premier Li keqiang said here Friday.
EU, Africa Economic Partnership Agreements imbalanced - Mkapa
25-May-2013
Retired President Benjamin William Mkapa has argued Inter Action Council European members to press on their governments to ensure that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) they are negotiating with African countries do not threaten the development aspirations of Africa.
China, Switzerland sign MOU on concluding FTA talks
25-May-2013
China and Switzerland here on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on concluding negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
GDP growth may drop by 1 point by joining TPP: opposing researchers
23-May-2013 Japan Times
Growth in gross domestic product could be pushed down by 1.0 percentage point, or ¥4.8 trillion, if Japan joins the envisaged Trans-Pacific Partnership, a group of researchers said Wednesday.
US, Myanmar sign trade, investment framework deal
23-May-2013 KUNA
The US and Myanmar signed Tuesday a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), creating a platform for "ongoing dialogue and cooperation" on trade and investment issues between the two countries.
Costa Rican lawmakers approve association agreement with European Union
23-May-2013 Tico Times
The regional agreement, already approved by Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala and El Salvador, will enter into effect on Aug. 1.
Costa Rica and Colombia sign free trade deal
23-May-2013 AFP
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla on Wednesday evening penned a bilateral free trade agreement that will help pave the way for Costa Rica to become a full member of the Pacific Alliance, a Latin American trade bloc launched in 2012.
Chevron calls for strong investor rights chapter in US-EU trade deal
22-May-2013 rabble.ca
US energy giant Chevron is encouraging the United States to pursue a strong investment chapter and investor-state dispute settlement process in the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union.
Big trading blocs moving at breakneck pace to raise free trade standards
22-May-2013 IP Watch
The pace to negotiate bilateral or plurilateral free trade agreements has been accelerating rapidly over the last month as the big trading blocs seem eager to position themselves in the race for market access and standards. Special report for Intellectual Property Watch.