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India-EFTA free trade pact to roll out from Oct 1
24-Jul-2025 Hindustan Times
India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will officially implement their free trade pact, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), starting October 1, 2025. TEPA offers India near-complete tariff concessions on exports to EFTA countries and opens market access for various goods and services. Sensitive sectors like dairy and certain agricultural products are excluded to protect domestic interests.
Thailand submits final proposal in US trade talks, aims for competitive ASEAN tax rates
24-Jul-2025 Nation Thailand
Thailand has submitted its final proposal to the US in ongoing trade talks aiming to secure a competitive import tax rate aligned with other ASEAN countries before the August 1, 2025 deadline. Facing pressure from neighboring ASEAN deals, Thailand hopes to reduce the current 36% tariff to around 20-23%, which could significantly impact its economy and investment climate.
‘It ain’t feasible’: Ethiopia rules out EAC bid, roots for continental free trade
23-Jul-2025 Capital News
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Investments noted that joining the EAC would demand harmonization of trade policies and revenue-sharing frameworks—changes that could strain Ethiopia’s economic structure if implemented prematurely.
No traceability, urgent duty of vigilance: facing the impacts of the EU-Morocco agreements
23-Jul-2025 Tomate sahraouie
The duty of vigilance becomes an essential lever so that trade agreements, like that between the EU and Morocco, are not limited to economic interests, but also generate concrete progress in social and environmental matters.
Malaysia to host second round of EU FTA talks in November — Miti
23-Jul-2025 The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia is expected to host the second round of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement in November 2025, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
S. Korea rules out changes to beef, rice imports as part of trade deal with US: sources
23-Jul-2025 Yonhap
The South Korean government has decided not to use further opening of the country’s beef and rice markets as bargaining chips in tariff negotiations with the United States, setting them as a "red line," sources said.
India, Maldives in discussion on a free trade agreement: MEA
23-Jul-2025 The Hindu Businessline
India and the Maldives are in discussions to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) and an investment treaty, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said.
Trump announces trade agreement with the Philippines and terms of deal with Indonesia
23-Jul-2025 CNN
President Donald Trump said he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines have reached a trade agreement. Shortly after, he also revealed more detailed terms of an agreement with Indonesia.
Trump announces trade deal with Japan
23-Jul-2025 Politico
President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a trade agreement with Japan, claiming he’d notched a deal with one of the country’s top trading partners.
Canada needs to reset its free trade plans with Ecuador
22-Jul-2025 The Hill Times
Human rights, not corporate rights, should drive international trade relations under this new government.
Korea, Thailand hold intersessional talks on free trade agreement in Bangkok
22-Jul-2025 The Korea Times
Korea and Thailand were set to kick off their intersessional negotiations for a bilateral economic partnership agreement, as the two sides seek to expand economic ties amid global trade uncertainties, Seoul’s industry ministry said.
Farmer groups to step up campaign against FTA with US
22-Jul-2025 The Hindu
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will observe August 13 as ‘Corporations Quit India Day’; the SKM said that the general body has called for nationwide protests against the deal as it could act against the interests of farmers.
India, US may hold 6th round of bilateral trade talks in August: Govt sources
22-Jul-2025 CNBC TV18
Government sources said both sides are aiming for a complete deal, but an interim agreement is possible. Discussions include agriculture, automobiles, digital services, and SCOMET trade.
Philippines’ Marcos to meet Trump seeking trade deal
22-Jul-2025 Al Jazeera
Leaders expected to hold talks on bilateral trade days before US tariffs on Philippine goods set to take effect.
In South Korea’s ’apple county’, farmers beg not to be sacrificed for US trade deal
22-Jul-2025 Reuters
"US apples are very cheap. We can’t compete with them," said Shim Chun-taek, a third-generation farmer who has been growing apples for two decades.
Trade : AfCFTA launches digital customs platform to boost Intra-African Commerce
21-Jul-2025 Africa News Agency
On July 17, 2025, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) launched its long-awaited digital customs platform, designed to cut border processing times by 65%. The system integrates with national tax authorities across 15 initial member states.
Namibia, Tanzania fortify trade and investment opportunities
21-Jul-2025 New Era Live
The two countries are only now starting to deepen their bilateral relations, with more targeted initiatives in the pipeline and will be announced in due course. A major gap remains in trade and capital cooperation, as per the Tanzanian president. However, both counterparts have agreed to take joint measures to bridge this gap.
Trump’s bizarre, authoritarian, Big Tech-friendly tariffs on Brazil
21-Jul-2025 Common Dreams
Trump’s actions are not motivated by any real economic or legal factors, but are instead about pushing his authoritarian agenda and doling out favors to Big Tech companies and other corporate cronies.
One small country, nearly $20 billion in corporate claims
21-Jul-2025 Inside Climate News
Using a secretive arbitration system, multinational companies could bankrupt Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the world. A recent advisory opinion from a human-rights court calls for an overhaul.
Trump threatens extra tariffs on BRICS-aligned countries
21-Jul-2025 The New York TImes
President Trump said nations that support the group’s “Anti-American policies” would face an additional 10 percent tariff. He did not elaborate.