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News from the movements

Imposing double standards: Why EFTA should not demand an UPOV clause in FTA with Thailand
14-Sep-2022 Saatgutkoaliton
As part of free trade negotiations with Thailand, EFTA will most likely demand clauses that oblige the Asian country to introduce strict plant variety protection regulations that are in line with UPOV 91
The not-so-hidden cost to “mega” energy deals : the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in East Africa (in conversation with Olivia Costa and Brenda Akankunda)
14-Sep-2022 State of Power
The ECT Secretariat, whose survival depends on continuation of the treaty, continues to lobby these countries to take additional steps towards acceding to the Energy Charter Treaty.
Agricultural trade and standards within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
12-Sep-2022 IATP
Within the trade pillar, it seems very likely that discussions on agriculture will focus on market access and the non-tariff issues, such as Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
Before the flood? The looming risk of corporations suing states for Covid-related measures
12-Sep-2022 Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Now the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer in the headlines in many parts of the world, the risk corporations will use investment treaties to claim compensation from governments to cover their losses during these exceptional times is increasing.
Demanding a transparent and participatory process in any Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiations
8-Sep-2022
The need for another trade agreement in Asia-Pacific has not been established. If countries choose to move forward with Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks, they must be based on a new model that prioritizes the interests of people instead of just big corporations.
10 September 2022 | International day of action against the WTO and FTAs
7-Sep-2022 La Via Campesina
Every year, on 10 September, all the members and allies of La Via Campesina mobilize against the destructive policies that are forced upon the small-scale food producers through bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements.
Q & A on IPEF (“Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity”)
5-Sep-2022
The IPEF is the US’s latest strategy to be the global rule-maker on trade, food production, digital and data, the climate crisis, regulating services, corporate power to influence new laws, multinationals’ tax rates, and much else.
US looking to lock in Pacific with new economic framework
5-Sep-2022 PANG
This week Trade Ministers from eleven countries will meet with the view to launch negotiations for an Indo-Pacific economic agreement.
Some implications of the digital economy paragraph of the leaked draft ministerial text for IPEF trade pillar
2-Sep-2022
The US will host the first in-person IPEF Ministerial meeting in Los Angeles from 8-9 September 2022, which is expected to launch formal negotiations. Some countries may decide not to remain involved in some or all of the IPEF’s “pillars”.
Ratification of RCEP and Indonesia-Korea CEPA is not democratic and violate public rights
1-Sep-2022 Indonesia for Global Justice
The Civil Society Coalition for Economic Justice condemned the plenary session of the Indonesian House of Representatives which ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Indonesia-Korea CEPA agreement.
Hogging the gains from trade in Mexico
26-Aug-2022 Medium
The multinational pork giant Smithfield, now owned by a Chinese firm, took advantage of trade, investment, labor, environmental, and immigration policies, after NAFTA, to expand its low-wage factory farming model on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
Stop the ratification of CETA! A joint statement by German and Canadian civil society groups
23-Aug-2022 Trade Justice Network
We Canadian and German civil society organizations express our continued opposition to CETA, which protects corporate interests at the expense of climate, environmental and social action and democratic decision-making.
Joint UK and Indian civil society statement on the proposed Free Trade Agreement
29-Jul-2022 Traidcraft Exchange
We, as organisations representing Indian and UK civil society, call on the Indian and UK Governments to rethink the Free Trade Agreement currently being negotiated.
KCA, a Reno Nevada based mining company, suspended gold mine in Guatemala
28-Jul-2022 Sierra Nevada Ally
However, locals feel latent tension that the imminent consultation process or the arbitration suit could revive earlier threats, violence, and legal persecution from company employees and contractors.
Government set to ram through Australia trade deal defying public cries for scrutiny
28-Jul-2022 Global Justice Now
New polling reveals only one-fifth (21%) of UK public are satisfied with the current parliamentary process of scrutiny for the UK-Australia trade deal.
100+ civil society groups ask White House for transparency in IPEF deal
25-Jul-2022 Public Citizen
Public, congressional input is essential to prevent another TPP.
’Digital sovereignty must be at core of Pacific e-commerce strategy’
8-Jul-2022 Voxy
The Pacific regional e-commerce strategy needs to be revised as it denies Pacific Island Countries their sovereign right to manage their digital domains, including data, a new report has found.
Six reasons NOT to ratify the EU-Mexico Global Agreement
5-Jul-2022 bilaterals.org
Statement of the Mexican, European and international civil society, 4 July 2022
Civil society calls upon EU and Indonesia to respect the rights of Indonesia’s famers
4-Jul-2022 Indonesia for Global Justice
Close to 90 NGOs and farmers’ organisations from Indonesia, the EU and around the world sent open letters to the EU Commission and the Indonesian government today, calling on them to refrain from any clause that restrict farmers’ rights in a future free trade agreement.
Government: Cut the spin and give a truthful assessment of the EU deal
1-Jul-2022 Scoop
There is much more at stake here than just agriculture, with several chapters seeming to impose restrictions on New Zealand laws and how the government can regulate.