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RCEP: The other closed-door agreement to compromise users’ rights
A secretive trade agreement currently being negotiated behind closed doors could lay down new, inflexible copyright standards across the Asia-Pacific region. If you are thinking of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, think again—we’re talking about the lesser-known Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). While RCEP doesn’t include the United States, it does include the two biggest Asian giants that the TPP omits—China and India.
Press Release: RCEP Asia’s mega-regional FTA means mega impact for people in India and the region
As the 12th round of trade negotiations for the RCEP commence in Perth (Australia) from 22 April onwards, several civil society organisations in India have raised concerns around transparency and possible negative impacts on several issues ranging from access to medicines, tax policy, investor rights and farmers access to seeds.
Investment Court System put to the test
New EU proposal will perpetuate investors’ attacks on health and environment.
Europe’s regulations at risk
On Friday, April 22, President Barack Obama is joining other world leaders in signing the Paris climate accord. But on the following Monday, April 25, Obama will meet with European leaders to promote the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
Farming risks being used as bargaining chip in EU trade deals
Concern is mounting that agriculture could be used as a bargaining chip in two large free-trade deals currently being negotiated by the EU.
Kelsey claims Government seeking to stymie Waitangi Tribunal report on TPPA
The Government has given the Waitangi Tribunal just three weeks to produce its report on a claim brought by prominent Maori that the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement violates the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Mercosur — the battle gets nasty
The dispute over a planned exchange of market access offers with the South American trade bloc was front and center at a meeting of foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
Government reviews tariff liberalization commitment to RCEP
The government of Philippines is reviewing its tariff liberalization commitments to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
TISA plurilateral accord by year end?
Trade envoys of the United States, the European Union, and Australia among others decided to accelerate negotiations towards a plurilateral deal called the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) by the end of this year.
Mercosur deal could cost EU farmers €7.8bn
A Mercosur trade deal between the European Union and South America could inflict losses of €7.8bn on farmers in the EU’s 28 member states, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.
RCEP negotiations: India likely to take a more aggressive stand
Commerce ministry estimates that signing the agreement will lead to a revenue loss of as much as 1.6% of gross domestic product
Indonesia-EU free trade talks take big step forward
Indonesia and the European Union are one step closer to realising a free trade agreement after talks to discuss the scope of documents outlining the items they want to include in the negotiations.
Neoliberalism – the ideology at the root of all our problems
Where neoliberal policies cannot be imposed domestically, they are imposed internationally, through trade treaties.
Lawmakers pushing financial regs in TTIP
Fifteen House members emphasized to President Barack Obama that they want to see TTIP cover financial services regulations.
Colombia: there’s no place for clean water under ’free trade’
The latest country to be hooked under ’free trade’ agreements is Colombia sued for tens of billions of dollars for valuing its national parks and the high-altitude Andean wetlands that provide 70% of the nation’s water above the profits of foreign corporations.
Canadian miners face uphill battle to collect on arbitration wins
Crystallex International Corp. completed the easy part: It won an arbitration award against Venezuela worth nearly US$1.4 billion. Now comes the hard part: actually collecting that money.
Perth public forum: TPP & RCEP trade deals
A round of negotiations towards the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will take place in Perth at the end of April, and the TPP is under review by a parliamentary committee. AFTINET and UnionsWA invite to attend a public forum on the TPP and RCEP, Thursday the 28th of April, 2016.
RCEP: Round twelve and beyond. call for coordinated action in Asia Pacific by Forum against FTAs
Forum against FTAs (India) is calling for action against the next round of negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) amongst 16 Asian countries, that will be held as a five-day meeting in Perth, Australia starting from April 22, 2016.
The future of Europe lies in preserving its agricultural and other key sectors
Europe has all the assets needed to build a solid future for itself. However, to do so, it must take steps to defend and promote them.
Obama’s economic omens in Argentina
Obama’s visit to our country has left behind a host of controversies. Set out below, are the omens he made on economic affairs.