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‘Obsolete’ Energy Charter Treaty must be reformed or ditched, lawmakers say
8-Sep-2020 Euractiv
The 1991 Energy Charter Treaty must be profoundly overhauled in order to remove all “obsolete” provisions protecting fossil fuel investments and hindering climate action, lawmakers from across Europe said.
Japan blocks green reform of major energy investment treaty
8-Sep-2020 Climate Change News
The Japanese government is blocking reform of a treaty that allows energy companies to sue nation states when climate policies affect their profits.
Japan wants to reach broad agreement on trade with UK this week: government official
8-Sep-2020 Reuters
Japan wants to reach broad consensus with the United Kingdom on trade this week, a Japanese government official said, signalling Tokyo’s desire to make progress on the bilateral trade deal before a change in government.
UK-Canada trade deal back in focus as talks restart
8-Sep-2020 City AM
Hopes of securing a post-Brexit free trade deal with Canada were given a boost after trade secretary Liz Truss announced the UK had kickstarted discussions.
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.
Rights activists want Swiss-Chinese trade deal to be overhauled
8-Sep-2020 Swiss Info
Campaigners are urging the Swiss government to renegotiate a six-year-old free trade agreement with China to try to improve human rights and labour conditions for its Uighur Muslim minority.
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.
How the little-known Energy Charter Treaty is holding environmental policy hostage
7-Sep-2020 Equal Times
Is it possible to take urgently needed action on climate change while simultaneously protecting the fossil fuel industry, the very cause of climate imbalance?
Brexit: Boris Johnson to override EU withdrawal agreement
7-Sep-2020 The Guardian
Johnson will put an ultimatum to negotiators this week, saying the UK and Europe must agree a post-Brexit trade deal by 15 October or Britain will walk away for good.
China to import agricultural products from Pakistan under FTA
7-Sep-2020 Global Village Space
In meeting with the foreign minister, Chinese envoy says the country will collaborate with Pakistan in setting up Agriculture Technology Centers, Joint Research Centre for Plant Pest and Disease Control
Chile seeks to resume FTA negotiations with South Korea
7-Sep-2020 Fresh Plaza
Chile’s official recently visited South Korea, with the intention of resuming the negotiations to update the FTA between both countries that were interrupted by the pandemic.
It’s time to transform. It’s time to globalize solidarity, localize agriculture!
6-Sep-2020 La Via Campesina
Time has come for us to take back control of our food systems and promote local production of our food systems.
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.
Investor-state claims in era of COVID-19 pandemic
4-Sep-2020 International Law Office
With state measures in response to COVID-19 being compounded by an already difficult economic environment for investors, they may have little choice but to challenge those measures.
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.
Cambodia, South Korea wrap up second round of FTA Talks
4-Sep-2020 Khmer Times
Cambodia and South Korea ended the second round of their negotiations on free trade agreement (FTA) today with progress on finished the chapter of trade cooperation and market access and other chapters of the agreement.
Mining companies dominate ISDS treaty-shopping claims from Australian companies
3-Sep-2020 AFTINET
Australia, with its many Bilateral Investment Treaties and FTAs, contributes to a system of treaty shopping by mining companies looking to sue governments over unfavourable decisions.
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.
Post-Cotonou deal edges closer to the finish line
3-Sep-2020 Euractiv
The long-delayed successor to the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) community appears to be approaching the finish line with a ‘99%’ chance of success this year, according to both sides.
Australian government to review its Bilateral Investment Treaties
3-Sep-2020 Lexology
The Australian Federal Government has announced it is reviewing the bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to which Australia is a party.