11-May-2026
The Daily Star
The US Supreme Court’s decision did not end U.S. trade pressure—it merely reshaped it. What was once a patchwork of negotiated exclusivity has been replaced by a universal, unrelenting tariff regime. Asian nations now face a new reality: no deal is safe, no concession is final, and strategic certainty remains out of reach. The US isn’t just reducing tariffs—it’s reengineering Asia’s economic integration into a strategic tool.
11-May-2026
The National News
Regional conflict has not derailed efforts to forge closer trade ties but has in fact signalled the need to accelerate a free-trade agreement. EU–UAE free-trade talks have accelerated, with hopes to conclude the bloc’s first Gulf agreement after six negotiation rounds in one year.
11-May-2026
The Economic Times
India and Canada will hold the next round of free trade agreement negotiations in Ottawa in July. Both nations are committed to a balanced and ambitious pact to boost bilateral trade. Key issues like goods, services, and intellectual property will be discussed. The goal is to increase trade to $50 billion by 2030.
11-May-2026
Philstar Global
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines will tackle chapters on agriculture and government procurement in the next round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks.
7-May-2026
Focus on the Global South
The unilateral actions by Trump in the US have exposed a highly skewed system where powerful economies essentially flex their muscles and weaponize trade instruments like tariffs to suit their own economic and political agendas.
7-May-2026
The Daily Star
The signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at the end of the interim government’s tenure has sparked much debate, with concerns that this agreement could put the country’s sovereignty, agriculture and food systems, traditional knowledge, economy, and intellectual property rights at risk.
7-May-2026
Free Malaysia Today
The European Union (EU) wants to expedite negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia to make its energy supply chain more resilient amidst the West Asia crisis.
7-May-2026
Transnational Institute
The ASEAN-Canada FTA is one of the agreements currently being negotiated that includes an investment protection chapter with an ISDS mechanism. This briefing note summarizes the October 2025 webinar, “Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (external link)
”, which examined the impact of ISDS and highlighted Canadian mining practices through emblematic ISDS cases.
7-May-2026
The Economic Times
India and South Korea will meet on May 25 to review their economic partnership agreement. India has proposed negotiating a new bilateral trade agreement. This aims to address the widening trade deficit. The two nations seek to double their commerce by 2030. They also want a more balanced trade relationship.
7-May-2026
The Nation Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said Thailand and the United States have agreed to move forward with talks on a reciprocal trade agreement after discussions with senior US trade officials.
