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RCEP talks make small progress in Bangkok, while resistance grows
3-Aug-2018 AFTINET
The 23rd round of the 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership talks over 10 days in Bangkok managed to resolve two more chapters, one on customs procedures and trade facilitation and one on government procurement.
Asia’s evolving ‘free’ trade deal may not benefit workers
3-Aug-2018 Manila Times
Labor unions and workers’ rights advocates fear that the secretive RCEP agreement will further erode workers’ rights in the Asian region, while strengthening the hands of investors who may be able to sue governments for changing laws such as setting minimum wages, that would erode their profitability.
ASEAN urges partners to speed up RCEP talks amid US-China trade war
3-Aug-2018 Nikkei
The escalating trade war between the US and China has prompted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to call for accelerated negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade framework involving ASEAN and six partner countries.
International trade community preps for packed autumn agenda, eyeing 2018/2019 deliverables
3-Aug-2018 ICTSD
Upcoming calendar for international trade negotiators, according to ICTSD
Dozens of grassroots groups want changes to ‘secret’ trade pact
2-Aug-2018 Asia Times
While some states in East and Southeast Asia favor the 16-nation RCEP trade deal, many civil society groups say it lacks transparency and public participation.
China wants free-trade talks with Norway to be accelerated
2-Aug-2018 SCMP
Free-trade talks between China and Norway should be sped up, the Chinese government’s top diplomat told his Norwegian counterpart, as the two countries step up efforts to put a row over the Nobel Peace Prize behind them.
Singapore eyes year-end to conclude world’s biggest free-trade deal
2-Aug-2018 AFP
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Southeast Asian countries were "redoubling their efforts to conclude the RCEP … by the end of the year".
Swiss foreign investor claims it suffered US$264 million in damages caused by South Korean government
2-Aug-2018 Hankyoreh
This is the fourth ISDS dispute this year in which the South Korean government is embroiled.
Concerns over Việt Nam-EU FTA signing
2-Aug-2018 VNS
Việt Nam still needs to ratify - or commit to ratify - three conventions among eight core conventions of the International Labour Organisation required for the approval of the EVFTA by the EU
India’s model bilateral investment treaty: Are we too risk averse?
1-Aug-2018 Brookings Institution
India’s Model BIT is "pro-state with limited rights to foreign investors" according to the US thinktank Brookings
Indian farm product tariffs curbing Australian exports, says Minister
1-Aug-2018 Network 18
Australia exported A$1.3 billion ($964 million) of agricultural goods to China in 2015/16, according to the latest figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
US and Japan to duel over auto tariffs and FTA at first trade talks
1-Aug-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Toyota supplier Denso expects $700m hit if levies are implemented.
Eritrea, Nigeria, G-Bissau yet to commit to Africa free trade deal
1-Aug-2018 Africa News
According to the African Union Commission chairperson, Nigeria, Eritrea and Guinea Bissau have made no commitment to the AU’s Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signed in Kigali in March 2018.
Mexico’s historic election: A labor perspective
1-Aug-2018 TJA
The recent election in Mexico is a referendum on the global reaction to the neoliberal assaults accompanying trade deals like NAFTA and TPP. Listen to this webinar with Manuel Perez-Rocha and Héctor de la Cueva
Civil coalition raises concerns over Indonesia-EU CEPA talks
1-Aug-2018 Jakarta Post
Indonesian civil society coalition has voiced concerns over the ongoing talks in the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA), which entered its fifth round.
The criminalization of migrant children, the violation of rights as a migratory control strategy
1-Aug-2018
China, Palestine mull forging free-trade agreement
31-Jul-2018 Middle East Monitor
China has pledged to complete official discussions to reach a free-trade agreement with the state of Palestine as soon as possible, Jordan’s Assabeel newspaper reported yesterday.
A leading think tank brokered access to ministers for US donors looking to influence Brexit
31-Jul-2018 The Ecologist
Britain’s most prominent free-market think tank is offering to broker access to senior politicians for foreign donors seeking to influence the course of Brexit and a potential US-UK free trade deal, a new report reveals
NAFTA deal by August?
31-Jul-2018 Council of Canadians
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is said to believe a deal is possible before the end of August.
Korea-Turkey FTA in services and investment to go into effect Wed
31-Jul-2018 Pulse
A free trade agreement between South Korea and Turkey expands to the services sector and investment from Wednesday, raising more business opportunities for Korean contents and builders in the transcontinental country.