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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.
Morocco, Ecuador sign agreement to boost trade and investment cooperation
15-May-2026 MWN
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
15-May-2026 The North Africa Post
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?
13-May-2026 Financier Worldwide
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
13-May-2026 Arab News
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
13-May-2026 The Edge Malaysia
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.