bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language


Switzerland says won’t follow EU out of beleaguered Energy Charter Treaty
Bern said it will not join the European Union’s proposed mass exit from a controversial energy investment protection treaty, sparking fears that fossil fuel companies will use Switzerland as a rear base to keep suing governments over climate action.
Indonesia, Timor Leste Agree to establish Bilateral Investment Treaty
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak agreed on a number of commitments. One of the commitments was related to the establishment of a bilateral investment treaty.
EU seeks currency convertibility from India
The European Union has suggested that India liberalize its capital account restrictions as part of a comprehensive free trade agreement being discussed with New Delhi, according to the text of the latest negotiations.
China willing to accelerate FTA talks with Nicaragua: senior official
China is willing to accelerate comprehensive FTA negotiations with Nicaragua, promoting bilateral development in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Thailand, UAE to form closer trade ties
Thailand and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to form a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
UK trade minister visits Mexico, targeting new deals
Britain’s trade minister begins a two-day visit to Mexico, targeting a bilateral trade deal as well as Britain’s accession to a Pacific trading association.
Free-trade agreement ‘logical next step’ for Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates, city leader John Lee says
A bilateral free-trade agreement will be the “logical next step” for Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates to boost investment ties, the city’s leader has said during his visit to Dubai.
Kenya, US to hold talks on strategic trade and investment partnership in Feb
The United States and Kenya will hold an in-person round of conceptual discussions under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Washington, DC, from February 6-10, 2023.
China-ASEAN negotiations enter next round
The first round of consultations on the 3.0 version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area negotiations was launched between China and the bloc, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
UK, EU seek access to India’s public procurement market
Large Indian companies bidding for government tenders will soon be facing foreign competition as India prepares to open up its $500 billion public procurement market as part of free trade agreement negotiations.
Without public participation, the Indonesia-EU CEPA negotiations potentially create a multidimensional crisis in Indonesia
The Indonesian CSOs assesses that the I-EU CEPA Agreement will deepen the crisis of democracy, climate and social justice for all Indonesian people. For this reason, the MKE Coalition urges the Government of Indonesia to not submitting the agreement before they can guarantee legal certainty for the fulfillment of democratic rights, guarantees for the protection of human rights, social justice, and sustainable environment.
Egypt’s trade minister touts $994 mln trade exchange in meeting with Swiss ambassador
Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir said on Tuesday that Egypt and Switzerland have distinguished trade and investment relations, with the volume of trade exchange between the two amounting to $994 million in 2022.
AfCFTA: Ambitions of free trade must move beyond talk
How can Africa’s continental free trade agreement be moved forward from talk to action? An eventful week in Ghana ended with new promises from African governments and state parties to speed up processes towards the full realisation of the world’s largest free trade area – AfCFTA
Second round of IPEF negotiation to start in India on Wednesday
India has opted out of the trade pillar as broad consensus had not emerged on issues pertaining to labour, environment, digital trade, and public procurement.
Canada, Taiwan to begin formal talks to spur foreign investments
The talks about a so-called "Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Arrangement" aligns with Canada’s plan to increase trade and influence in the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region.
EU-India trade deal: Business as usual?
The EU-India trade deal is a neoliberal deal, entrenched in the idea that more trade between the two markets will bring significant benefits. Benefits there will be, for Indian and European multinationals but people and the planet will significantly lose from this deal.
Peru and Hong Kong begin the first round of trade negotiations for the signing of an FTA
The first round was held online for some groups, from January 30 to Friday, February 3, while other groups will meet in person during the week of February 6 to 10, in Hong Kong.
Brussels says EU exit from Energy Charter Treaty ’unavoidable’
The European Commission has told member countries that a joint EU exit from a controversial international energy treaty appears inevitable.
Spain sticks with decision to block Berkeley’s uranium mine
Berkeley said it also believes the rejection is not legal as it infringed on its rights under an international agreement known as the Energy Charter Treaty.
AFL-CIO wants bigger say in US digital trade deals for workers
The largest US labor organization issued a set of principles that it says is needed to protect workers, the public’s privacy and governments’ ability to regulate a rapidly evolving sector as the USTR negotiates digital trade agreements.