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China again flags tariff cuts for US agricultural trade after Trump-Xi meeting, but still no details
20-May-2026 Reuters
China and the U.S. have agreed to cut tariffs on agricultural trade as part of a broader ​trade deal, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement ‌that left several questions about implementation unanswered.
UK fancies copying EU’s Mercosur trade deal
20-May-2026 Euractiv
British trade minister hinted at a copycat Mercosur deal – but stopped short of confirming plans.
Ranked: Top 12 countries with digital trade agreements
20-May-2026 Visual Capitalist
Digital trade now powers a growing share of the global economy. It covers cross-border data flows, e-commerce, digital services, and online payments. As digital commerce expands, governments are moving quickly to set the rules that govern how it operates.
PH, UAE discuss AI, trade cooperation under Cepa
20-May-2026 Sun Star
Philippines and the UAE plan to strengthen strategic cooperation under the recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) and align artificial intelligence initiatives tied to the US-led Pax Silica program.
EU strikes deal on Trump trade pact
20-May-2026 Politico
Negotiators said the compromise will give European manufacturers more certainty, even though Brussels can’t guarantee Washington will stick to the deal.
EU’s tech sovereignty plan risks trade deal, warns US ambassador
19-May-2026 Euractiv
The US ambassador to the EU has warned the bloc against introducing “protectionist” rules ahead of incoming cloud and semiconductor laws – suggesting a planned tech sovereignty package could threaten the EU-US trade agreement.
Panama defeats Banesco ICSID investment treaty claim over public works bonds
19-May-2026 Global Legal Post
Panama won an investment treaty claim brought by disgruntled Spanish investors alleging that state entities breached a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in their handling of bonds linked to public works contracts.
EU races to lock in Mexico deal with Washington looming
19-May-2026 Euractiv
The EU is set to sign its revamped trade agreement with Mexico next week, as Brussels moves to lock in the deal amid growing uncertainty over parallel trade talks with Washington.
Big Tech’s digital trade agenda is a danger for farmers and food systems
18-May-2026 GRAIN
Criticism against Big Tech’s digital crusade is growing, along with demands for greater regulation. Yet, through underhand tactics such as trade deals, tech companies are blocking reform.
How companies continue to obstruct climate action - and why Santa Marta didn’t stop it
18-May-2026 Triodos Bank
One of the delaying issues, Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), came through clearly in the scientific discussions. In theory, ISDS protects investors against unfair treatment. In practice, it has often been used by fossil fuel companies to resist climate action.
New Zealand assures post-LDC trade access for Bangladesh
18-May-2026 The Daily Star
Both countries also showed interest in exploring the possibility of signing a trade deal, such as a free trade agreement, to boost investment and bilateral trade, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.
Maldives eyes India FTA signing by end of 2026, says Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam
18-May-2026 WION
Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has described bilateral relations with India as “long-standing” and “very close”, signalling a push to accelerate cooperation during her first official visit as minister to Delhi.
EU hints at investment agreement with India at European Round Table for Industry
18-May-2026 IANS
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on Sunday hinted at an investment agreement with India at a joint press meet at the European Round Table for Industry in Sweden’s Gothenburg
Kazakhstan, Türkiye prepare agreement on mutual investment protection
18-May-2026 Caliber
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drafted a government resolution on the signing of an agreement between Kazakhstan and Türkiye on the mutual promotion and protection of investments.
Kazakhstan and China agreed on mutual protection of investments
18-May-2026 Kazinform
The Kazakh Senate ratified a Treaty between the Governments of Kazakhstan and China on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments, Qazinform News Agency reports.
India’s free trade deal with Britain hits steel hurdle before rollout
18-May-2026 Reuters
India’s free trade deal with Britain, initially expected to be implemented ​by May, has hit an expected hurdle ‌over the UK’s new steel import curbs, India’s trade secretary Rajesh Agrawal said.
Thailand, Peru Push to finalise free trade deal in 2026
18-May-2026 Khaosod English
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Peru’s ambassador agreed Monday to accelerate free trade negotiations between the two countries, with both sides expressing hope a deal could be signed before the end of 2026.
UK nearing free trade deal with Gulf Council states, FT says
18-May-2026 The Edge Malaysia
The United Kingdom and the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a long-negotiated free trade agreement, with an agreement-in-principle expected within days.
Korea and ASEAN to strengthen supply chain cooperation... FTA digital rules to be revised
18-May-2026 The Asia Business Daily
South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo and the ASEAN Committee agreed to broaden economic cooperation beyond conventional manufacturing into a wider array of sectors. Additionally, they committed to upgrading the 2007 Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by integrating digital trade rules, targeting tangible results by 2027.
Does the US-Bangladesh trade deal mirror colonial economics?
18-May-2026 The Daily Star
The modern US trade, defense, and energy agreements with Bangladesh mirror the exploitative economic structures of nineteenth-century British colonial rule in India. By conditioning market access on the mandatory purchase of American cotton, military hardware, aircraft, and LNG, these deals subtly compromise Bangladesh’s policy independence.