The UK has an opportunity to lead by example, removing UPOV91 provisions from trade deals and redirecting development assistance toward farmer-led initiatives.
Given that the AfCFTA could lead to a rise in demand for African land from agricultural and other investors, and that climate policies are increasingly looking to land projects to “capture” carbon, the risks for local communities whose livelihoods rely on land will be great.
In order to put an end to free trade agreements, it is essential to continue to link the different struggles for the defence of territories and their natural resources, for the social demands of the people, for life and for peace.
Civil society and non-government organizations in Thailand oppose the provisions proposed by the EU that will have a vast and adverse impact on access to medicines, universal health coverage scheme, agriculture, food sovereignty, consumer protection, and livelihoods of Thai people.
Farmers across Belgium, Poland and France took to the streets of Paris, Brussels and dozens of other cities and expressed their strong opposition to a trade deal between the EU and the “Mercosur” countries: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
During the meeting, Siddiqi expressed gratitude for Singapore’s continued support for Bangladesh and its collaboration with the interim government, particularly on the free trade agreement negotiations that commenced last month.
The UAE finalized an economic agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union aimed at increasing non-oil bilateral trade through the reduction of tariffs and elimination of trade barriers.
Korea and China are working to strengthen their economic partnership. The two countries met to review their existing free trade agreement and discuss expanding it to include services and investment. The goal is to further boost bilateral trade and create a more favorable business environment for both countries.
Japan is aiming to upgrade their existing trade agreement to include provisions on digital trade, sustainable development, and supply chain resilience. The Philippines seeks to bolster its exports, particularly in electronics and semiconductors, and attract more Japanese investment. Both countries are also exploring opportunities in agriculture and food security.
Key elements include a “rebalancing mechanism” to be deployed in disputes where policy impinges on trade, along with a provision that would allow the trade deal to be suspended if one party is found to have violated the Paris climate accord.
The UK and European Union will begin formal talks on a reset of their relationship next year, as Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said she wanted to deepen economic ties with the bloc.