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ASEAN and Canada accelerate FTA talks, aim to conclude by late 2025
20-Jan-2025 The Nation Thailand
The 11th round of ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) negotiations took place in Bangkok from January 15-17. Discussions focused on various sectors, including sanitary measures, trade barriers, services, investment, and intellectual property.
FTA with European Free Trade Association to be signed at WEF meet
20-Jan-2025 The Nation Thailand
Thailand will sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The agreement, approved by the Thai Cabinet, covers trade with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Changes sought by Oman after FTA talks minimal: Official
20-Jan-2025 Financial Express
Oman has requested a review of some concessions made during free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with India, causing a delay in the pact’s signing. While negotiations concluded in March 2024, Oman’s request, focusing on areas like cigarettes and liquor (of minimal interest to India), has prompted further discussions.
India, EU lay roadmap to strengthen trade and investment
20-Jan-2025 Live Mint
Indian Commerce Minister and European Trade Commissioner met to discuss expediting the India-EU FTA, signals a renewed push to advance negotiations on the India-EU FTA, a pact that has faced hurdles over the years due to differences on issues such as market access, tariff reductions and regulatory alignment.
Sri Lanka and China agree to fast track delayed FTA negotiations
20-Jan-2025 Economy Next
Sri Lanka and China have agreed to resume efforts to finalize a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) after a six-year delay due to disagreements over tariff timelines, the percentage of tariff lines, and review periods.
PH-EU trade talks to resume February
20-Jan-2025 Manila Times
The European Union (EU) and the Philippines will resume free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in Manila next month, following an initial round in October 2024. Negotiations, paused in 2017 due to EU concerns over human rights, are targeted for completion by 2026.
EU and Mexico seal updated trade deal
18-Jan-2025 Euractiv
The EU has concluded negotiations with Mexico on an updated trade agreement, the European Commission announced in a press release.
Neocolonial EU-MERCOSUR trade deal is a blow to the climate, human rights
17-Jan-2025 Green Left
The deal reinforces the same pattern seen since the initial colonisation of Latin America, which is the pillaging of primary resources by mostly foreign interests that are then converted into higher-value industrial products to be sold for a monumental profit.
Taiwan president wants economic partnership agreement with Japan
17-Jan-2025 NHK
Taiwanese President called on representatives of Japanese companies to urge the Japanese government to sign an EPA with Taiwan as soon as possible.
Colombia and the US sign an agreement to balance investments in the FTA
17-Jan-2025 América Economía
The new interpretative note on the investment chapter of the FTA seeks to avoid legal abuses and protect the sovereignty of both countries without affecting incentives for foreign investment.
US-Colombia FTA: Interpretations of the investment chapter (Jan 2025)
17-Jan-2025 USTR
Senators demand US trade chief Tai halt late talks on investor protections
16-Jan-2025 Reuters
A bipartisan group of US senators called on US Trade Representative to stop negotiations with Mexico, Canada and Colombia that they say would weaken investor protections in some US free trade deals during the Biden administration’s final days.
15th round of India-UK FTA talks to begin in February
16-Jan-2025 Financial Express
The negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the UK are expected to resume in early February, after months of pause due to the general election in the UK, a senior official said.
Can UAE deal make Kenya Dubai of Africa?
16-Jan-2025 The Standard
The recent signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates heralds a significant shift in economic relations that could position Kenya as a central player in Africa’s trade landscape.
Korea, China hold 10th round of FTA talks on investment, service
16-Jan-2025 Korea Times
South Korea and China have resumed talks to expand their existing free trade agreement. The focus of the 10th round of negotiations is to include the service and investment sectors, building upon the initial FTA implemented in 2015.
China has signed 23 FTAs with partners on five continents: MOFCOM
16-Jan-2025 Global Times
China has expanded its network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to 23 with 30 countries/regions. Recent agreements feature broader scope, including negative lists for services and investment, and provisions for the digital economy.
USTR releases model negotiating texts
15-Jan-2025 USTR
The Office of the United States Trade Representative released model negotiating texts in furtherance of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of building a more resilient global trading system.
New AFTINET explainer: why ISDS is a threat to climate action
15-Jan-2025 AFTINET
This explainer sheds light on how Clive Palmer is using Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements to claim up to $420 billion from the Australian government.
Kenya, UAE ink historic economic partnership deal
15-Jan-2025 The Star
Kenya and the UAE have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a historic deal aimed at easing market access for Kenyan products into the Gulf state.
India-EU FTA negotiations a tough nut to crack as key issues unresolved
15-Jan-2025 Business Standard
Despite nine intense rounds of negotiations over two-and-a-half years, progress on the proposed free trade agreement negotiations between India and the European Union is now on a slow track over fundamental differences.