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News from the movements

Mexico’s path to food sovereignty undercut by USMCA decision
The dispute panel’s ruling against Mexico in a challenge brought by the US, and Mexico’s eventual agreement to withdraw the provisions on corn, points to the limitations of existing trade rules, which are heavily influenced by industrial agriculture and biotechnology interests.
The new Canada-Ecuador trade deal pushes anti-democratic trade policy
Amidst all the chaos brought on by Trump’s tariff threats, Canada’s federal trade minister celebrated a minor win this month: the finalization of a trade agreement with Ecuador.
EU-Mercosur Agreement: Old pledges, new potential impacts for food systems and a just transition
The EU-Mercosur Agreement continues with the narrative that it ensures environmental clauses and climate commitments, in practice it implements measures that could divert means and resources that could otherwise be used for a genuine, just, ecological and inclusive transition.
The MERCOSUR-EU trade agreement and its impact on peasant women: Notes from Brazil
Women continue to march, denouncing violence and environmental crimes, fighting against the plundering of common goods, and against the signing and ratification of agreements that continue to fill the galleys of the Global North with our wealth at the expense of the massacre of peoples.
Mexico’s CUSMA loss is a warning to New Zealand
Genetically modified corn dispute from the US and Canada exposes lack of protection for Indigenous rights in recent trade deals.
Joint letter ahead of the European Union-Israel Association Council
In a letter sent ahead of the European Union-Israel Association Council meeting, our network alongside 120 trade unions, civil society and human rights organisations called on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Trade deal fueling resource grab? 120+ groups from Europe and Indonesia sound the alarm
Over 120 civil society organizations and trade unions from Indonesia and Europe today call on the Indonesian government and the EU to stop the negotiations for the Indonesia-EU free trade agreement – the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The organizations warn that this agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers, small farmers and fisherfolk.
STOP the Indonesia-EU trade deal: Joint Statement on raw materials in EU-Indonesia CEPA
CSOs in Europe and Indonesia are urging the EU and Indonesia to stop CEPA negotiations. The agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of vulnerable groups, while hindering Indonesia’s ability to develop its own raw materials value chain. The groups also raise concerns about privatization of energy, investor protections, and the inclusion of elements from Indonesia’s "Omnibus Law," which weakens labor protections.
Thailand signed FTA with EFTA: no worries about TRIPs Plus, except Border Measure & IP Enforcement
While the Thailand - EFTA agreemnts avoids TRIPS-plus measures that would directly impact medicine access and the universal healthcare system, Thai CSOs group remain concerns regarding border measures and intellectual property enforcement.
EU pushes its economic agenda in the midst of unfolding trade wars and uncertainties
The second round of negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement between the European Union and the Philippines will commence today in Manila amidst an unfolding trade war among the major trade powers triggered by Trump’s tariffs.
EU institutions have legal responsibility to ban Western Sahara products, French Court rules
The French Court’s confirmation comes a week after representatives of the Spanish agricultural sector called on the EU to end tomato imports from Western Sahara.
They should have listened to us about free trade
Almost 40 years ago, the Left was warning about the consequences of tying Canada economically to the US. The election of Donald Trump is showing just how accurate those warnings were.
EU-Mexico conclusion of a new trade agreement: the EU Commission adds more fuel to farmers’ anger
ECVC condemns the decision of the leaders of the European Commission and Mexico to conclude the EU-Mexico trade agreement negotiations, just one and a half months after the EU-Mercosur deal negotiations were finalised.
Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) of the free trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association and Thailand – A critical analysis
The SIA falls short of its promises. It contains strong methodological and analytical shortcomings which limit its usefulness for negotiators, stakeholders or the general public.
An urgent call from European trade unions: Suspend the Association Agreement with Israel
European trade union organisations and confederations called on the European Commission to fulfill its obligations and review the Israeli Government’s compliance with article two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
IEU CEPA: A threat to the environment, indigenous peoples, and biodiversity
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) and WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) released a joint statement raises critical concerns about the proposed Indonesia-EU CEPA. It highlights the potential negative impacts of the agreement, particularly when coupled with Indonesia’s Omnibus Law, on the environment, Indigenous communities, and biodiversity.
New AFTINET explainer: why ISDS is a threat to climate action
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.
Clive Palmer’s foreign investor claims against Australia now $420b
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.
Thai CSOs warn the senate’s subcommittee about the ongoing FTA negotiation with the EU on TRIPs-plus provisions harmful to 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.
The EU’s lust for Indonesia’s nickel supply
The EU desires open access to Indonesian nickel, crucial for its green transition, yet criticizes extractive practices in the Global South. Indonesia, however, seeks to develop its own processing industries and restrict raw material exports.