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China has signed 23 FTAs with partners on five continents: MOFCOM
16-Jan-2025 Global Times
China has expanded its network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to 23 with 30 countries/regions. Recent agreements feature broader scope, including negative lists for services and investment, and provisions for the digital economy.
USTR releases model negotiating texts
15-Jan-2025 USTR
The Office of the United States Trade Representative released model negotiating texts in furtherance of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of building a more resilient global trading system.
New AFTINET explainer: why ISDS is a threat to climate action
15-Jan-2025 AFTINET
This explainer sheds light on how Clive Palmer is using Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements to claim up to $420 billion from the Australian government.
Kenya, UAE ink historic economic partnership deal
15-Jan-2025 The Star
Kenya and the UAE have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, a historic deal aimed at easing market access for Kenyan products into the Gulf state.
India-EU FTA negotiations a tough nut to crack as key issues unresolved
15-Jan-2025 Business Standard
Despite nine intense rounds of negotiations over two-and-a-half years, progress on the proposed free trade agreement negotiations between India and the European Union is now on a slow track over fundamental differences.
UK, India relaunch FTA talks to strengthen ties, focus on green tech trade
15-Jan-2025 Business Standard
The UK government told Parliament that the Free Trade Agreement talks with India have been relaunched to deliver a joint ambition of taking the bilateral relationship to even greater heights.
Taiwan seeks bilateral agreement renewal with Nigeria
15-Jan-2025 The Guardian
Taiwan is actively seeking closer ties and investment opportunities in Nigeria, but faces potential obstacles related to investment security and a lack of sustained high-level engagement from the Nigerian side.
India, Oman hold fifth round of talks for free trade agreement
15-Jan-2025 NDTV Profit
India and Oman are in the fifth round of negotiations for a CEPA. While bilateral trade has recently declined, the agreement seeks to reduce or eliminate customs duties and ease trade norms to promote trade in goods, services, and investments. India already has a similar agreement with the UAE.
Malaysia to start talks for Gulf free trade deal as it signs Cepa with UAE
15-Jan-2025 The National News
Malaysia and the UAE are strengthening their economic ties through a newly signed CEPA, which aims to boost trade and investment between the two nations. The CEPA is expected to further facilitate this growth by reducing tariffs and improving market access.
Thailand to sign historic first European trade pact at WEF
14-Jan-2025 Khaosod
The Thailand-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, scheduled for January 23, 2025, will connect Thai businesses with four wealthy European markets – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Trade and investment agreements signed with United Arab Emirates
14-Jan-2025 New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s free trade deal and investment treaty with the United Arab Emirates have been signed.
AB InBev takes on Peru over tax bill
14-Jan-2025 CDR
The global beer brewing giant has filed an ICSID challenge to the Peruvian tax authority’s attempts to recover an outstanding tax bill and its refusal to allow refunds.
Working group formed for BD-Japan talks
13-Jan-2025 The Financial Express
Bangladesh has formed a high-powered working group to prepare for negotiations with Japan on an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). This move follows a joint study and aims to secure duty-free market access to Japan after Bangladesh graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.
EFTA-India FTA text (2024)
10-Jan-2025 EFTA
Clive Palmer’s foreign investor claims against Australia now $420b
10-Jan-2025 Pearls and Irritations
Clive Palmer’s latest claims join a growing global list of ISDS claims by fossil fuel companies defined by the UN and the OECD as threats to the global climate transition.
Kazakh President inks law on free trade between EAEU and Singapore
10-Jan-2025 Kazinform
Since the agreement comes into force, Singapore is to rescind all the existing tariffs on imports and will be obliged not to apply tariff and non-tariff trade restrictions.
Thai CSOs warn the senate’s subcommittee about the ongoing FTA negotiation with the EU on TRIPs-plus provisions harmful to access to medicines
10-Jan-2025 Access to Medicines
FTA Watch representatives warned that stricter IP rules in a potential EU FTA could impact access to medicines, increase healthcare costs, and harm Thailand’s domestic pharmaceutical industry. They also highlighted concerns about EU demands regarding government procurement, plant variety protection (UPOV 1991), and import of remanufactured goods.
Eswatini AGOA trade benefits renewed for 2025
9-Jan-2025 VOA
The southern African nation of Eswatini has secured continued eligibility for benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act for the 39 companies currently trading under AGOA.
Govt. not against free trade agreements: Chaturanga Abeysinghe
9-Jan-2025 Daily Mirror
The Sri Lankan government will negotiate with the Indian government on how to rectify the concerns raised against the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement while reviewing the Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
Tunisia to face sand mining claim
9-Jan-2025 CDR
Minerali Industriali is taking action under the Italy-Tunisia bilateral investment treaty for alleged mistreatment related to its sand mining and processing business.