US

UK plans to change Brexit rules threaten US trade deal, top Democrats say

9-Sep-2020 The Guardian

Altering terms of withdrawal agreement on Northern Ireland could damage relations under Biden presidency.

Kenya’s tariff dilemma in trade talks with US

8-Sep-2020 Business Daily

Tariffs remain Kenya’s main trade policy instrument while juggling between boosting international trade and cushioning local producers from external competition.

Taiwan opposition pushes pork referendum, could threaten US trade deal

7-Sep-2020 Reuters

Taiwan’s main opposition party began a push for a referendum to block the easing of restrictions on US pork imports, which if passed could threaten a long-mooted free trade deal with the US.

Next round of UK-US trade talks to begin on September 8: UK minister

4-Sep-2020 Reuters

Britain has prioritised striking a trade deal with the United States as it seeks to carve out new business relationships around the world following its exit from the European Union, and with it all EU-negotiated trade deals.

AFL-CIO chief says union to file labor complaint under USMCA this month

4-Sep-2020 Reuters

The AFL-CIO is planning to file labor complaints against Mexico this month under the new US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement’s labor enforcement mechanism, the US union’s president said.

Indo-Pacific guidelines: Germany’s new China plan

3-Sep-2020 Pledge Times

Berlin wants to diversify its relations, position itself more broadly, conclude further free trade agreements – also in order to no longer be so dependent on Beijing.

Farmers impacted by USMCA trade agreement

2-Sep-2020 NBC2

The USMCA trade agreement under President Trump is negatively impacting local farmers, but economists said the agreement assures low priced produce in stores.

US to launch new annual economic dialogue with Taiwan

1-Sep-2020 Focus Taiwan

The United States will hold a new annual senior-level economic dialogue with Taiwan to strengthen bilateral economic ties, after Taiwan pledged last week it would open its market to previously banned categories of American pork and beef.

Big Oil is in trouble. Its plan: flood Africa with plastic.

31-Aug-2020 New York Times

Faced with plunging profits and a climate crisis that threatens fossil fuels, the industry is demanding a trade deal that weakens Kenya’s rules on plastics and on imports of American trash.

Pig farmers protest government move to ease imported pork restrictions

31-Aug-2020 Focus Taiwan

Some 200 pig farmers and workers staged a protest in front of the Yunlin County government building to oppose the central government’s decision to allow imports of US pork containing the controversial veterinary drug ractopamine.

Taiwan paves way for US trade deal by easing pork, beef imports

31-Aug-2020 Reuters

Taiwan paved the way for an eventual free trade deal with the United States by announcing an easing of restrictions on the import of US beef and pork.

Trade secrets: climate breakdown

28-Aug-2020 The Ecologist

New book Trade Secrets is based on a thorough analysis of leaked papers from three years of secretive trade talks, as well as multiple other official documents and sources.

US, China reaffirm commitment to Phase 1 trade deal in phone call

27-Aug-2020 Reuters

Top US and Chinese trade officials reaffirmed their commitment to a Phase 1 trade deal, which has seen China lagging on its obligations to buy American goods.

Bridgestone V. Panama

27-Aug-2020 Global Legal Chronicle

The US subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation lost a $20 million plus arbitration claim against the Republic of Panama filed by under the US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.

US-Kenya trade and tax developments

26-Aug-2020 Bloomberg

The negotiation of a US-Kenya Free Trade Agreement has spurred interest by prospective US investors, exporters, and importers.The final GILTI, FDII, and BEAT regulations provide the US tax framework for US C corporate investors.

US and China hold phone call on phase one trade agreement

25-Aug-2020 CNBC

US and Chinese trade negotiators held a phone call about implementing the phase one agreement between the two countries.

Mining injustice through international arbitration

25-Aug-2020 Earthworks

El Tambor is a controversial gold mining project in Guatemala. After years of local protests and litigation, it was halted in 2016 for lack of prior consultation with Indigenous people.

India should not give concessions in dairy sector to the US: Amul

25-Aug-2020 The Economic Times

India should not give any concessions to the US under any trade deal as subsidised imported milk and other dairy products would kill livelihoods in India especially when the sector is expected to create 11 million jobs in rural households.