bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


“Free trade deal”, what? Chinese sue Australia over Darwin Port
The Chinese owner of Darwin Port suing the Australian government shows why ‘free trade’ deals must not include investor rights to sue governments (ISDS).
One year on: The hidden impact of Trump’s trade deal with the UK
The consequences of the trade pact are still rippling through Britain’s arable heartlands.
SADC supports the Democratic Republic of Congo’s accession to the SADC Free Trade Area through alignment with key regional protocols
The SADC has successfully concluded a week-long series of high-level engagement meetings in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at supporting the country’s accession to the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA).
AfCFTA and Turkiye deepen strategic trade ties
The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, held high-level bilateral talks with Türkiye’s Minister of Trade. The meeting underscored a shared commitment to expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation within the evolving framework of the AfCFTA.
Kenya, India move to fast-track free trade deal talks to boost exports and investment
Kenya and India have agreed to accelerate negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at lowering trade barriers, expanding market access, and unlocking new opportunities for Kenyan exporters, officials said on Tuesday.
ActionAid worried over outdated agreements, investor-settlement systems across Africa
ActionAid Nigeria, has observed that across Africa, there is increasing concern about outdated agreements and the Investor-State Dispute Settlement system, which allows investors the protection rights over the national interests, and shrink decisions making spaces.
New Zealand-India FTA text (Apr 2026)
EFTA–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement: The climate implications for Switzerland
Une nouvelle étude d’Alliance Sud et Public Eye montre que les émissions de CO2e liées à l’accord pourraient augmenter de 112 % rien que pour les produits agricoles.
Fossil fuel phase-out conference: governments cite ISDS as a barrier to just transition
Australia and 56 other governments, representing around one third of global GDP, met last week in Santa Marta, Colombia, and agreed to map out practical ways to phase out fossil fuels at the first global diplomatic forum to assess practical steps to do so.
Singapore, New Zealand sign world’s first legally binding supply chain resilience pact
The agreement commits both countries not to impose unnecessary export restrictions on food, fuel, healthcare and other critical goods.
Indo-Pacific trade pact losing relevance under Trump’s aggressive strategy: GTRI
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, widely known as IPEF, faces significant hurdles. Recent analyses indicate that the foundation of the framework may be weakening, largely attributed to the trade policies introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Canada’s beef farmers have beef with Mercosur
The country’s cattle ranchers are opposing Ottowa’s plans for a free-trade deal with the South American bloc, fearing that a flood of cheap meat will devastate their industry.
US-Bangladesh trade deal: Writ filed challenging legality
A writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US, describing it as unreasonable, structurally imbalanced and contrary to the national interests of Bangladesh.
National security implications in ISDS vis-à-vis AI regulation
Technological advances create novel security risks, prompting States to adopt national security measures that restrict foreign investors in this space.
Canada looking to wrap a trio of trade deals this year: minister
Canada’s international trade minister says the government is looking to sign three major trade deals before the end of the year — with Mercosur, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.
India, Ecuador explore preferential trade agreement
India and Ecuador have initiated discussions on a possible Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), with a focus on boosting trade, pharmaceuticals and critical mineral cooperation.
EU kickstarts Mercosur pact to counter US trade hit
The European Union and Mercosur will implement a contentious free trade agreement, which the EU hopes will benefit exporters and calm critics, although it cannot fully offset the impact of US tariffs or the fierce competition from Chinese rivals.
Trump says he’ll place 25% tariff on autos from the EU, accusing it of not complying with trade deal
President Donald Trump said that he will increase the tariffs charged on cars and trucks from the European Union next week to 25%, a move that could jolt the world economy at a fragile moment.
Japan eyes Mercosur trade deal to strengthen economic security
Japan is pursuing trade negotiations with Mercosur to enhance economic security by diversifying export markets and reducing dependency on the US and China for critical materials like rare earths. While Japan’s agricultural sector remains cautious about competition from low-priced imports such as beef, growing trade uncertainty due to US tariffs is boosting support for the talks.
Kenya, India move closer to trade deal as talks focus on balancing economic ties
The India–Kenya Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations are advancing, with both nations working to address a significant trade imbalance and expand market access. Kenya is seeking greater export opportunities in India across agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, while aiming to reduce its reliance on imports of items like refined petroleum and medicines.