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The time is right to finally drop the EU-Mercosur deal
Friends of the Earth Europe, Eurogroup for Animals and the European Trade Justice Coalition (ETJC) share European farmers’ frustration over having to compete with imported products exempt from the EU environmental, labour and animal welfare standards.
EU-Japan economic partnership agreement: EU and Japan sign protocol to include cross-border data flows
The Belgian Presidency of the Council has signed the protocol to include provisions on cross-border data flows in the agreement between the EU and Japan for an Economic Partnership.
International Chamber of Commerce former arbitrator says ISDS has “lost battle of public opinion” and “legitimacy”
To maintain the system, he proposes that business should shift away from ISDS in state-to state trade and investment agreements, and instead move to ISDS in contracts between individual investors and states.
How a US mining firm sued Mexico for billions – for trying to protect its own seabed
Local fishers helped halt underwater mining off Baja California’s coast in 2018. But then an obscure international legal process was put into motion.
India should not cut customs duty on auto sector in any free trade pact: GTRI
The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said India has not given tariff or duty reductions for cars in its free trade agreements with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Japan, and Korea.
IPEF supply chain deal to take effect Feb. 24
The US Commerce Department said Wednesday that an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity agreement on supply chains will come into effect Feb. 24.
Anti-China sentiment could sink a free trade deal with Ecuador
The ratification of the Ecuador-China Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2022, faces significant hurdles in the nation’s National Assembly, as the dissolution of the assembly by President Lasso and subsequent snap elections, along with concerns about transparency and public engagement during the negotiation process.
Agreed amendment to the revised SPA concerning the sale of IM Minerals
AAG have confirmed they have submitted the claim by way of a request for arbitration to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
India seeks service inclusion, investment commitment from Switzerland in EFTA trade deal
India and EFTA have held negotiations on several chapters including trade in goods & services, intellectual property rights, investment promotion and cooperation, rules of origin, trade facilitation and trade and sustainable development.
Cars v cows: German automakers call to split EU-Mercosur deal to bypass French ‘non’
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement should be split into two distinctive parts to circumvent French resistance based on agricultural issues, the German car industry has proposed, in a bid to boost export markets other than China.
EU-Mercosur trade talks still alive, Brussels says in rebuke to France’s Macron
The European Commission assured that talks on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement continue after a French official claimed President Emmanuel Macron had convinced the bloc’s executive to bury the deal.
Vietnam eyes new economic pact
Vietnam should adopt a wait-and-see policy while negotiating with other IPEF members for a clarification from the US on how developing countries will be compensated for the costs of meeting high labour and environmental standards.
Srettha to pay visit to Sri Lanka to sign free-trade agreement
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to visit Sri Lanka to sign a free-trade agreement, marking Thailand’s 15th FTA and the first under Mr. Srettha’s premiership since August last year.
Interim analysis of JSI E-commerce Chairs’ text 15 January 2024, INF/ECOM/85
The 15 January 2024 chair’s text (INF/ECOM/85) for the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on electronic commerce is to be discussed in a round from 30 January to 2 February 2024.
ASEAN delegation to visit India on 17 Feb for FTA review
The review will focus on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which has been in place for over a decade, and will likely include more goods and services under non-tariff barriers.
France says EU Commission to end trade deal talks with Mercosur countries
French President has told the European Commission that it was impossible to conclude trade deal negotiations with South America’s Mercosur bloc and understands the EU has put an end to the talks, his office said.
S. Korea, India to hold new round of talks on upgrading free trade pact
South Korea and India will launch a new round of negotiations to upgrade their bilateral trade pact, Seoul’s trade ministry said.
EU foreign policy chief warns agricultural crisis may block Mercosur trade deal
The crisis affecting the agricultural sector in many countries of the European Union could be an “obstacle” to the approval of the free trade agreement with Mercosur, as suggested by the EU head of diplomacy, Josep Borrell.