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How companies continue to obstruct climate action - and why Santa Marta didn’t stop it
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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.
Morocco, Ecuador sign agreement to boost trade and investment cooperation
The agreement focuses on promoting mutual investments, facilitating trade exchanges, and encouraging closer collaboration between economic operators in both countries.
Rabat & Seoul discuss comprehensive economic partnership agreement
Korea and Morocco have agreed to launch negotiations on comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to boost economic cooperation, trade and investment, said Korean news agency Yonhap.
Geopolitics, the UK and investor-state arbitration: a ‘new normal’ in an uncertain world?
Governments need to be able to regulate to meet their domestic policy goals or internationally recognised sustainable development goals. That necessarily means that sometimes hard decisions will need to be taken which will affect foreign investments on their soil.
GCC, UK near free trade deal after ‘significant progress’ in talks
The Gulf Cooperation Council and the UK are aiming to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement in the “near future” after commerce ministers from both sides made “significant progress” in talks aimed at deepening trade and investment ties.
Canada eyes free trade pacts with Philippines, Asean this year
Canada expects to conclude free trade agreements with the Philippines and the wider Southeast Asian bloc this year, as Ottawa seeks to boost business ties with the region and grow its non-US trade.
India-Oman free trade agreement set for June 1 rollout, says Piyush Goyal
The India–Oman free trade agreement is set to take effect on June 1, 2026, granting duty-free access to nearly 98% of Indian exports while lowering tariffs on Omani petrochemicals and minerals. Simultaneously, India is negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Chile to expand trade into digital services and investment.
Taiwan seeks negotiations to update 1993 bilateral investment agreement with Malaysia
Taiwan is urging Malaysia to update their 31-year-old Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) to better reflect the modern global landscape and supply chain shifts. To attract high-end technology and foster a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, Taiwan is calling for higher-level government engagement to address comprehensive issues like labor and technology transfer.
India, Peru likely to hold talks on free trade pact in June, diplomat says
India and Peru will probably hold the next round of talks on a proposed free ​trade pact next month, a senior Peruvian diplomat told ‌Reuters, adding that a deal could be signed by the end of the year.
Poland takes Mercosur deal to top EU court over farmer fears
Poland has submitted a complaint against the recently signed trade deal between the EU and South American trading bloc Mercosur to the EU’s top court.