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China looks to boost investment, strengthen ties with Colombia
Beijing is preparing to sign a deal that would strengthen its ties with Colombia, one of its closest Latin American allies, as its companies pour billions into rail projects, mines and other investments.
Chinese investment upheavals anger Laos’ indigenous tribes
Nowadays, China is its largest foreign investor and aid provider in a series of infrastructure projects. But critics have raised serious concerns about the impact of the projects, pointing at their gigantic price tags and environmental issues, among others.
Virus outbreak slows up China-EU trade talks
Even before the novel coronavirus emerged to threaten this year’s schedule, EU officials had lamented a lack of progress, no doubt in part as a negotiating tactic to try to pressure their Chinese counterparts.
Cerro Verde to open ICSID case against Peru
Cerro Verde, a partnership between Freeport McMoran and Buenaventura, is to bring a case against Peru related to a taxation dispute at the ICSID under a US-Peru trade agreement.
CPEC costs human life, resources in Balochistan: Activists at UN
Baloch political activists have alleged that the people in Balochistan are paying a heavy price for the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
New Zealand to wait for trade pact if India out of RCEP
New Zealand will look forward to a bilateral trade agreement with India if New Delhi does not join the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Why don’t we just… end the secrecy surrounding trade talks?
As it leaves the EU, Britain is taking a far more secretive approach to the many trade talks it is holding. Neither the public – nor even our MPs – are allowed to know what’s happening in those negotiations.
UK eyes speedy banking deal with US in parallel trade talks
The UK and US may seek a quick deal on financial services separate from the free trade accord the two are negotiating, a British official said.
US-UK trade deal: Four things you might have missed, from food standards to climate commitments
The government has not ruled out imports of US agricultural products made to lower standards than in the UK.
With no major trade deals signed in recent years, India turning an outlier
The feeling now in global trade negotiating circles is that India is a recalcitrant partner, difficult to negotiate with.
Understanding India’s RCEP hesitation
Pressure on India to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has continued, including most recently from Oceania.
What Deputy PM Somkid didn’t say: disasters loom large as Thai government eager to join CPTPP
FTA Watch and Thai civil society slammed government’s attempt to push Thailand into CPTPP FTA while the country have no negotiating power; risking negative impacts on Thai small farmers, rights over seeds and breeds, and access to medicine.
Nepal’s bilateral investment treaties
Nepal has signed six bilateral investment treaties that can be described as first generation i.e. a template of BITs that were championed by inves­tor-friendly Western European countries
Kenya-US trade treaty likely to stifle local manufacturing- KAM
The US has a stronger manufacturing sector meaning their products are likely to be more competitive than the locally produced commodities.
Poland keen on FTA with Sri Lanka
Poland is keen to enter into a Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka, but it has to be initiated by the European Union office in Colombo.
Algeria mulls future of agreement with EU
The Algeria-European trade deal opened the Algerian market to EU imports but hurt local farming and manufacturing sectors, Algerian government leaders said.
Africa may only see impact of new free-trade deal after 3 years
Target for first trade under continent-wide pact is July 1. Tariffs, rules of origin and protocols for services are yet to be agreed on.
Naturgy leaves Egypt, ending its alliance with ENI in Unión Fenosa after almost 8 years of disputes
Naturgy has agreed with Eni and Egypt to end their dispute over Unión Fenosa (UFG), in which the Spanish and Italian firms own 50% each.
Liz Truss kick-starts UK-US trade talks
The UK is publishing its negotiating objectives for a free trade agreement with the United States, with talks expected to begin this month.