30-May-2025Australian Institute of International Affairs
Australia should continue to reject bilateral concessions and should work with other countries in our region and elsewhere to support a more transparent and equitable multilateral trade system as an alternative to both US divide and rule tactics, and to flawed neoliberalism.
CSOs in Malaysia write a letter to expresses serious concerns about the potential inclusion of UPOV 1991 in the Malaysia-European Free Trade Association Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA), warning that it could undermine Malaysia’s existing plant variety protection law, harm farmers’ rights, and restrict seed sovereignty.
After two days of debate, the organisations and networks of the Latin America and the Caribbean Better Without FTAs Platform issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty and protagonism of the peoples, social and environmental justice.
The tariff policy of Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States represents a reconfiguration of global trade and poses serious challenges for movements against free trade agreements worldwide.
Malaysian negotiators have accepted intellectual property protections above those required by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which will adversely affect affordable and equitable access to medicines in Malaysia for generations.
India and the EU concluded five chapters, including intellectual property and trade facilitation, during the 11th round of FTA talks in New Delhi. Discussions also addressed easing certification processes under India’s Quality Control Orders.
The deal includes a provision in which China will supply the US with rare earth elements vital to major US companies, particularly in the auto, semiconductor, and smartphone manufacturing sectors.
The US is open to a trade deal with Kenya, the Embassy in Nairobi has confirmed, even as it emerges that President Donald Trump’s administration could throw out talks that were underway during former President Joe Biden’s term.
Swiss firms eye India expansion as FTA with EFTA nears implementation. With $100B investment planned over 15 years, sectors like biotech, pharma, and engineering align with India’s growth goals, making it a key hub for global value chains and innovation.