APEC Leaders Debate Approach to Trade Tensions, WTO Issues at Port Moresby Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 22, 2018

Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies wrapped up their annual summit this past weekend in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, tackling a host... READ MORE

EU, South Africa Discuss Options for Closer Economic Ties at Presidential Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 22, 2018

South African leaders met with their European counterparts in Brussels for a presidential summit on 15 November to discuss future opportunities for cooperation, includ... READ MORE

EU Trade Talks with New Zealand, Indonesia Advancing Steadily, Officials Say

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 15, 2018

The European Commission recently circulated updates on the progress seen in two different negotiating processes, specifically with Indonesia and New Zealand, earlier t... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Summits Update: RCEP Talks in "Final Stage," Extending into 2019

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 15, 2018

A series of high-level summits in the Asia-Pacific region are getting underway this week, kicking off with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and concl... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Summits Update: RCEP Talks in "Final Stage," Extending into 2019

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 15, 2018

A series of high-level summits in the Asia-Pacific region are getting underway this week, kicking off with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and concl... READ MORE

EU Trade Talks with New Zealand, Indonesia Advancing Steadily, Officials Say

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 15, 2018

The European Commission recently circulated updates on the progress seen in two different negotiating processes, specifically with Indonesia and New Zealand, earlier t... READ MORE

Australia, Canada, New Zealand Ratify CPTPP, Setting Stage for Trade Deal's Entry into Force

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 1, 2018

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has now been ratified by six signatories, meeting the minimum threshold to take effec... READ MORE

CPTPP Ratification Process Advances, With Possibility of Taking Effect in Early 2019

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 25, 2018

Last week, Australia’s Senate passed legislation ratifying the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the sweeping trade... READ MORE

RCEP Ministers Assess Progress, Call for "Further Improvements" Ahead of Year-End Target

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 18, 2018

Ministers representing 16 Asia-Pacific countries called for “further improvements” in negotiating a sweeping trade accord, while outlining some advances in... READ MORE

Europe, Asia Leaders Prep for High-Level Summit, With Trade and Cooperation to Headline Agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 18, 2018

Leaders from the European Union and from a host of Asian countries are meeting in Brussels, Belgium, this week for a high-level gathering that is due to tackle subject... READ MORE

IMF Report Calls for Japan to Consider "Fresh Look" at Abenomics Policy Strategy

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 11, 2018

The world’s third largest economy should consider taking a “fresh look” at the economic policy strategy known as “Abenomics,” according t... READ MORE

EU, Canada Officials Review CETA Performance, Endorse Recommendations on Climate and Gender

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 11, 2018

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) celebrated late last month its one-year anniversary since its provisional entry into force,... READ MORE

US, Peru Assess Efforts to Tackle Illegal Logging Under Trade Accord

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 4, 2018

In late September, an interagency US committee issued a report via the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that deemed that while Peru has made val... READ MORE

US-Mexico-Canada Trade Deal Draws Scrutiny as Partners Prep for Signature, Ratification Processes

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 4, 2018

Canada, Mexico, and the United States have clinched a deal to revise and replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the trade accord that has governed re... READ MORE

US, Japanese Leaders Announce Plans to Negotiate Bilateral Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 27, 2018

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a joint statement from New York on Wednesday 26 September where they announced plans to start f... READ MORE

Mercosur Holds First Negotiating Round for Korea Trade Deal, Looks to EU Next Steps

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2018

Officials from the South American customs bloc Mercosur held negotiating meetings last week with South Korea and the European Union, respectively, as the coalition loo... READ MORE

G20 Trade Ministers Call for "Urgent" Discussions on WTO Update and Efforts to Boost Confidence in Trade

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2018

Trade and investment ministers from the G20 coalition of major advanced and emerging economies met last Friday in Mar del Plata, Argentina, calling for intensified &ld...; READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Officials Lay Groundwork for High-Level Autumn Meetings

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 13, 2018

The coming months are due to see high levels of activity on trade in the Asia-Pacific, as different country coalitions work to make progress on their respective agenda... READ MORE

US, Canada Ramp Up NAFTA Negotiating Pace After US-Mexico Draft Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 13, 2018

Negotiators from the US and Canada have met repeatedly over the past fortnight, including this week, in the hopes of finalising a deal to modernise the North American... READ MORE

EU Commission: Promising Start to Negotiations for Australia, New Zealand Trade Deals

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 2, 2018

The European Commission recently circulated reports about the early negotiating rounds with Australia and New Zealand, respectively, for free trade agreements (FTAs) w... READ MORE

NAFTA Officials Look to Inject Renewed Momentum into Trade Talks as Autumn Approaches

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 2, 2018

Negotiators looking to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have resumed a busy agenda of meetings at ministerial and technical levels, including tal... READ MORE

BRICS Leaders Pledge Support for Multilateralism, Inclusive Growth at Johannesburg Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 2, 2018

Leaders from the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – met from 25-27 July for the group’s tenth annual summit, in which... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance, Mercosur Leaders Ink Plan for Closer Ties at Puerto Vallarta Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 26, 2018

The presidents of Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru wrapped up a presidential summit for the Pacific Alliance this week, agreeing to bring the bloc closer with the nei... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Negotiators Weigh Possible Target Dates for Resolving Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 26, 2018

Negotiators and ministers from the EU and Mercosur held a series of meetings this month in Brussels, Belgium, to take stock of their efforts to develop a trade accord,... READ MORE

Australia, UK Officials Advance Trade Deal Preparations

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 26, 2018

Trade and foreign ministers from Australia and the United Kingdom met last week to advance preparations for a bilateral trade deal between their countries, including d... READ MORE

UK, US Officials Confirm Plans for Trade Pact in Post-Brexit Era

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 19, 2018

Officials from the UK and US held a series of both technical and high-level political meetings last week on trade relations post-Brexit, including the fourth session o... READ MORE

EU, Japan Leaders Sign Trade Deal, Look Towards 2019 for Entry into Force

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 19, 2018

Leaders from the EU and Japan signed a sweeping free trade accord in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday 17 July, touting the accord as a testament of their support for the rules... READ MORE

BRICS Trade Ministers Look to Closer Economic Ties, Issue Support for Multilateralism

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 12, 2018

Last week, delegates and trade ministers from BRICS economies met in Magaliesburg, South Africa to discuss ways to strengthen the multilateral trade system and foster... READ MORE

US President, Mexican President-Elect Consider NAFTA Next Steps

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 5, 2018

Mexico’s left-wing presidential candidate, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, won national elections on Sunday 1 July, setting the stage for the Morena P... READ MORE

RCEP Trade Ministers Set End-2018 Target for “Package of Outcomes”

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 5, 2018

The top trade officials from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) coalition have pledged to endorse a “package of outcomes” by the end of... READ MORE

Canada, Japan Move Closer to CPTPP Ratification, Malaysia Calls for Trade Deal Review

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 28, 2018

Legislation to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is making its way through both the Canadian and Japanese legislatures, offici... READ MORE

Italian Official Suggests CETA Ratification Could Face Domestic Hurdles

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 21, 2018

Italy’s agriculture minister has hinted that his country’s legislature might not ratify a major free trade agreement between the EU and Canada, citing conc... READ MORE

NAFTA Officials Indicate Plans for Resuming Talks, One Month After Missing Informal Deadline

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 21, 2018

One month after negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the United States were unable to meet an informal deadline for modernising the North American Free Trade Agreement... READ MORE

EU, Australia Launch Negotiations for Free Trade Pact

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 21, 2018

On Monday 18 June, the EU and Australia formally launched negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström travell... READ MORE

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Endorses Trade Facilitation Plan

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 14, 2018

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) endorsed a statement aimed at facilitating trade across its members’ borders, with the regional economic grouping als... READ MORE

G7 Summit in Charlevoix Sees Intense Debate on Trade, Climate Action

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 14, 2018

This year’s G7 annual summit drew to a close on Saturday 9 June, capping two days of leaders’ level discussions that focused heavily on the implications th... READ MORE

India, Singapore Upgrade Trade Deal, Pledging to Boost Economic Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 7, 2018

India and Singapore have clinched a deal to update their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), in a bid to boost bilateral trade and facilitate economic... READ MORE

Trade Expected to Top Hefty Agenda as G7 Leaders Arrive in Charlevoix

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 7, 2018

Leaders from the G7 coalition of advanced economies are due to arrive in Charlevoix, Canada, on Friday 8 June for two days of meetings that are expected to focus heavi... READ MORE

West African Cross-Border Trade: Trends and Opportunities

by BIO GOURA SOULE

June 5, 2018

Cross-border trade is not a new phenomenon in West Africa. What are the major changes that made it evolve over time? And which barriers still hinder its developmen... READ MORE

The African Continental Free Trade Area: An Opportunity for Informal Cross-Border Trade

by LILY SOMMER CHRIS C. NSHIMBI

June 5, 2018

How can African countries use the African Continental Free Trade Area to overcome the existing challenges to informal cross-border trade and harness the potential... READ MORE

Small-Scale Cross-Border Trade in Africa: Why It Matters and How It Should Be Supported

by PAUL BRENTON CARMINE SOPRANO

June 5, 2018

Small-scale cross-border trade can play a fundamental role in contributing to poverty reduction and food security across Africa. How can it be supported to ensure... READ MORE

Supporting Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders Across Africa

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 5, 2018

Small-scale cross-border trade – often referred to as informal cross-border trade – is a pervasive phenomenon in Africa. As such, it holds fundamental soci... READ MORE

APEC Trade Ministers Shun Protectionism

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 31, 2018

The trade ministers of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states gathered from 25 to 26 May in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for their 24th annual me... READ MORE

Ratification of African Continental Free Trade Area Gets Underway

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 24, 2018

Two months after over 40 nations signed a framework agreement for an African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signatories are now beginning the ratification proce... READ MORE

EU Gives Green Light to Australia, New Zealand Trade Talks, Amid Packed Council Agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 24, 2018

Trade ministers from the EU’s 28 member states gave their backing on Tuesday 22 May for the launch of negotiations for trade accords with Australia and New Zeala... READ MORE

China, New Zealand Leaders Tout Potential of Updated Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 17, 2018

Top officials from China and New Zealand called this week for ramping up negotiating efforts to clinch an updated trade deal, highlighting the value this could have fo... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance, Associate Members Enter Fourth Negotiating Round, Look To Clinch Deal by July

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 17, 2018

The fourth round of negotiations between the Pacific Alliance and its “associate members” kicked off on Saturday 12 May, in Ottawa, Canada and will wrap on... READ MORE

NAFTA Ministerial Concludes, Negotiators Press to Address Remaining Issues This Week

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 17, 2018

High-level talks last week to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) closed without any major breakthrough in efforts to reach an agreement in principl... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Negotiations to Resume, Officials Suggest Deal Possible Soon

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 9, 2018

Negotiators from the EU and South American customs bloc Mercosur are reportedly due to reconvene this month, as officials push for an agreement in principle that would... READ MORE

NAFTA Talks at Pivotal Point as Ministers Resume Work in Washington

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 9, 2018

Negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the US have resumed high-level discussions aimed at bringing talks for updating their North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)... READ MORE

Preparations for EU-Australia Trade Talks in the Spotlight as Macron Visits Sydney

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 3, 2018

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Sydney this week to discuss with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pathways to regional and bilateral cooperation on... READ MORE

ASEAN Leaders Call for Boosting Connectivity, Resolving RCEP Trade Talks "Expeditiously"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 3, 2018

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Singapore on Saturday 28 April to review the bloc’s goals going forward, with Singapore... READ MORE

NAFTA Ministers Ramp Up Efforts to Clinch Deal Within Weeks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 26, 2018

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) members have undertaken a series of high-level meetings over the past week, in a bid to accelerate and finalise talks t... READ MORE

EU, Mexico Reach “Agreement in Principle” to Update Trade Accord

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 26, 2018

The EU and Mexico have finalised an “agreement in principle” to update their 18-year-old trade deal, with the revisions due to increase agricultural market... READ MORE

Options for future proofing regional trade agreement dispute settlement mechanisms

by ROBERT MCDOUGALL

April 26, 2018

After decades of experience in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the World Trade Organization, trading nations have become accustomed to orderly and p... READ MORE

US Officials Look to Next Steps on Trade Negotiating Agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 19, 2018

The past week has seen a series of potential signals from the US on next steps for different trade negotiating processes, amid varying statements from US President Don... READ MORE

ASEAN Finance Officials Eye Greater Integration, Push for Infrastructure Investment

April 12, 2018

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stressed the importance of building on strong economic growth figu... READ MORE

NAFTA Countries Weigh Timing for Deal "In Principle"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 12, 2018

Negotiators working to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are looking at whether they could announce an agreement “in principle” within... READ MORE

Trilateral Trade Talks Resume Between China, Japan, and South Korea

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 29, 2018

Trade negotiations between China, Japan, and South Korea resumed from 22-23 March, nearly one year after officials held their previous round. The three countries are a... READ MORE

Preparations for Post-Brexit Trade Deals Continue with US, Australia

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 29, 2018

Trade officials from the United Kingdom have been meeting with their US and Australian counterparts over the past fortnight to continue setting the stage for deeper ec... READ MORE

South Korea, US Clinch Agreement in Principle to Update KORUS Trade Pact

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 29, 2018

Seoul and Washington have reached an agreement “in principle” that would revise the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS), South Korea’s trade minist... READ MORE

US-Korea Trade Talks Continue with Steel Tariffs in the Background

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 22, 2018

Negotiators from the US and South Korea met last week in Washington to continue discussions on amending their free trade agreement, known also as the KORUS FTA. The ta... READ MORE

Australia, ASEAN Leaders Pledge Commitment to Free Trade, Highlight Regional Cooperation

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 22, 2018

Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia met in Syd... READ MORE

G20 Finance Ministers Call for Continued Dialogue on Trade as US Prepares Metal Tariffs

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 22, 2018

This week, finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s 20 major advanced and emerging economies meeting in Buenos Aires sought to find common g... READ MORE

African Leaders Launch Continental Free Trade Area

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 22, 2018

African leaders gathered at an extraordinary summit of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda, on Wednesday 21 March to launch the African Continental Free Trade Are... READ MORE

Countries Sign Pacific Rim Trade Deal, Call for “Expeditious” Ratification Process

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 15, 2018

The 11 countries forming the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are now beginning their domestic processes to ratify the acc... READ MORE

EU Trade Talks with Mexico, Mercosur Press Onward

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 8, 2018

Negotiations to clinch a trade deal and association agreement between the EU and Mercosur are slated to be extended further, though officials say they hope an agreemen... READ MORE

EU, ASEAN Ministers Call for Greater Efforts to Advance Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 8, 2018

Officials from the EU and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledged on Friday 2 March to speed up their efforts to negotiate free trade agreements, b... READ MORE

NAFTA Countries Close Out Three More Chapters as Political Calendars Tighten Up

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 8, 2018

Trade negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the United States finished work on three more chapters of an updated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) during thei... READ MORE

The G20 and reimagining global rule-making for trade and climate action

by JAMES BACCHUS

March 5, 2018

Trade and climate change are inextricably intertwined. Yet the trade and climate regimes are set for a collision that could undermine their legitimacy and efficien... READ MORE

Australian Prime Minister Touts Rules-Based Trading System, Future Cooperation on US Visit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 1, 2018

Last week, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull travelled to Washington for a series of meetings on economic cooperation, outlining his views on the future of tr... READ MORE

Canada, Mercosur Eyeing Possible Trade Negotiations Launch Next Month

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 22, 2018

Canada and the South American trading bloc Mercosur are reportedly expected to announce the formal launch of trade talks next month, during a meeting on 9 March betwee... READ MORE

CPTPP Partners Gear Up for Signing Ceremony, Ratification Process

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 22, 2018

Countries in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are preparing to gather in Santiago, Chile, in two weeks to sign the upd... READ MORE

EU Officials: US Participation in Paris Climate Deal Key for Resuming Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 15, 2018

Officials from some EU member states and the bloc’s executive branch have affirmed in recent weeks that the US’ continued participation in the UN’s P... READ MORE

Trudeau, Freeland Make Case for NAFTA As Trade Negotiators Prepare for Next Round

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 15, 2018

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded a trip to the US this past weekend to discuss trade and other areas of cooperation with state and local leaders, touti... READ MORE

How Can the CFTA Help Africa Respond to its Economic Transformation Imperative?

by JUDITH FESSEHAIE

February 15, 2018

Despite the substantial growth of their economies over the last decades, many African countries are still struggling to transition to higher value-added economic a... READ MORE

African Leaders Prep for Summit on Continental Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 8, 2018

African national leaders concluded the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union last week, with the summit adopting a series of decisions on issues r... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance, Associate Members Advance Trade Talks, Eye New Economic Opportunities

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 8, 2018

The second round of the Pacific Alliance’s negotiations with its potential “associate members” wrapped up on Friday 2 February in Gold Coast, Austral... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Ministers Ramp Up Efforts to Close Trade Deal During Brussels Meeting

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 1, 2018

Ministers have been meeting in Brussels this week, hoping to get within the final stretch of sealing a long-awaited trade deal uniting the EU and the four members of M... READ MORE

NAFTA Parties Wrap Up Anti-Corruption Chapter, Acknowledge Continued Divides

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 1, 2018

Ministers from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries said on Monday 29 January that they had essentially wrapped up a chapter on anti-corruption an... READ MORE

U.S. Says Some Progress Was Made at Latest Nafta Talks

by BLOOMBERG

January 29, 2018

The U.S. is pushing for a breakthrough on its touchiest Nafta proposals within a month, underscoring the fragility of the new mood of optimism after Canada and Mexico... READ MORE

Pacific Nations Clinch Comprehensive Trade Accord

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 26, 2018

The 11 remaining Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries are set to sign their final agreement this March in Chile, after chief negotiators from the participating ec... READ MORE

Botswana to sign Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement

by TRADE LAW CENTER

January 26, 2018

The Tripartite Free Trade Area comprise of 26 countries from the three (3) Regional Economic Communities of COMESA, the EAC and SADC. The Tripartite Free Trade Area co... READ MORE

As NAFTA talks drag, Mexico suggests timeline could be extended

by REUTERS

January 26, 2018

 A senior Mexican official on Friday suggested talks to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement could be extended to give officials more time to address... READ MORE

EU, Australian Officials Work to Set Stage for Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 25, 2018

Efforts continue apace for the expected launch of EU-Australia trade talks, with Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo READ MORE

EU, Chile Negotiators Begin Laying Groundwork to Update Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 25, 2018

Officials from the European Union and Chile concluded a weeklong round of negotiations in Santiago, Chile, last Friday, aiming to set the stage for updating their trad... READ MORE

Singapore Becomes ASEAN Chair, Charts Path for Future of Regional Integration and Cooperation

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 18, 2018

Last week, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched his country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2018. As the... READ MORE

EU, UK Gear Up for Trade Portion of Brexit Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 18, 2018

The new year will see the next stage in the Brexit negotiations between the United Kingdom and the other 27 EU member states, after the latter group, meeting under the... READ MORE

Where Brexit will hurt most in Europe

by POLITICO

January 17, 2018

The impact of Brexit will vary considerably across the European Union, with some regions bracing for severe costs and others less exposed.

READ MORE

EU Talks with Mexico, Mercosur Push On For 2018 Trade Deals

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 17, 2018

Trade negotiations between the EU and a number of Latin American countries are picking up in the new year, with officials aiming to clinch an updated EU-Mexico agreeme... READ MORE

Nafta withdrawal would hit US GDP without helping trade deficit

by FINANCIAL TIMES

January 15, 2018

Oxford Economics, a consultancy, reckons no NAFTA deal would wife half a percentage point off US GDP growth in 2019 if the US president pulls the trigger to exist the... READ MORE

Chances of U.S. leaving NAFTA must be taken seriously: Canada

by REUTERS

January 11, 2018

The United States must be taken seriously when it says it might walk away from NAFTA, Canada’s foreign minister said on Thursday, a day after government sources... READ MORE

Mexico will leave NAFTA talks if Trump triggers process to withdraw

by REUTERS

January 10, 2018

Mexico will leave the NAFTA negotiating table if U.S. President Donald Trump decides to trigger a 6-month process to withdraw from the trade pact, three Mexican source... READ MORE

South Korea sees speedy trade talks with U.S., but 'uphill battle' ahead

by REUTERS

January 8, 2018

South Korea’s trade ministry said on Monday it anticipates an “uphill battle” to revise its bilateral trade deal with the United States, but it expec... READ MORE

Africa’s first digital free trade area for rollout in 2018

by TRADE LAW CENTER

January 8, 2018

Businesses within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) could save up to $450 million in clearance documentation once the bloc adopts blockchain t... READ MORE

UK looks to join Pacific trade group after Brexit

by FINANCIAL TIMES

January 2, 2018

Britain has held informal talks about joining a flagship Pacific trade group, in an audacious bid to kick-start exports after Brexit.

READ MORE

EU prepares Canada-style Brexit deal for UK

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 21, 2017

The EU is preparing to present Britain with a Canada-style trade deal by early summer if the UK is unable to clarify its demands.

READ MORE

Japan-EU trade deal seen boosting Japan's GDP by 1 percent per year over time

by REUTERS

December 21, 2017

 A free trade deal with the European Union would boost Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 1 percent annually once the benefits fully kick in over 10-20... READ MORE

EU and Mexico say they are 'very close' to new free-trade deal

by REUTERS

December 21, 2017

A new free-trade deal between the European Union and Mexico is “very close” to agreement but there are still issues such as agricultural access to hammer o... READ MORE

Africa’s CFTA trade accord holds promise in spite of barriers

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 20, 2017

Africa is proving to be one of the arenas for moving regional trade negotiations forward. 

READ MORE

EFTA and Ecuador hold fifth round of negotiations

by EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION

December 18, 2017

From 11 to 15 December 2017, the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Ecuador held the fifth round of negotiations on a Comprehensive Econo... READ MORE

WTO Ministerial: In Landmark Move, Country Coalitions Set Plans to Advance on New Issues

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 14, 2017

The WTO’s Eleventh Ministerial Conference has drawn to a close, capping a busy week of talks which saw members only able to endorse limited substantive outcomes... READ MORE

New initiatives on electronic commerce, investment facilitation and MSMEs

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 13, 2017

Three proponent groups announced new initiatives to advance talks at the WTO on the issues of electronic commerce, investment facilitation and micro, small and medium... READ MORE

Mexico sees possible EU trade deal as NAFTA talks drag on

by REUTERS

December 13, 2017

Mexico and the European Union could reach a framework for a trade deal by the end of the year, though differences remain over agricultural market access, Mexican Econo... READ MORE

EU's Malmstrom sees Mercosur trade deal by early 2018

by REUTERS

December 12, 2017

Trade talks between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc are closing on a deal which could come early in the new year, European Trade Commissione... READ MORE

EFTA and the Federal Republic of Nigeria sign Joint Declaration on Cooperation

by EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION

December 12, 2017

On 12 December 2017 in Buenos Aires, Representatives from the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Sw... READ MORE

ITC, UNCTAD, WTO launch Global Trade Helpdesk

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 11, 2017

The International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the WTO today unveiled an innovative tool to help businesses,... READ MORE

WTO Ministerial Launches, As Regional Leaders Make Public Call for Support of Multilateral System

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 11, 2017

The WTO’s Eleventh Ministerial Conference formally began on Sunday 10 December, with leaders from various countries issuing the “Buenos Aires Declaration,&... READ MORE

U.K. Wants ‘Virtually Identical’ Trade Deal With EU After Brexit

by BLOOMBERG

December 11, 2017

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the U.K. would like a trading relationship with the European Union after it leaves the bloc that’s “v... READ MORE

5 reasons why gender equality in trade matters

by INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)

December 11, 2017

Hopes are high for the launch of an historic Declaration on Trade and Gender at the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting taking place in Buenos Aire... READ MORE

African Countries Make Headway Towards the Creation of the CFTA

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 8, 2017

African countries concluded an intense month of talks as part of the negotiating process towards the establishment of the Continental free trade area (CFTA), with the... READ MORE

EU, Japan conclude world's largest free trade agreement

by REUTERS

December 8, 2017

The European Union and Japan concluded negotiations on a free trade deal to create the world’s largest open economic area, signaling their rejection of the more... READ MORE

Australia, Singapore Trade Pact Revisions Take Effect

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 7, 2017

Australia and Singapore now have an updated version of their nearly fifteen-year-old trade pact in force, one year after their top trade officials signed a new amendme... READ MORE

Canada, China Pledge to Ramp Up Trade Cooperation, Weigh Possible FTA Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 7, 2017

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang finished highly-anticipated meetings in Beijing this week, announcing “new joint partnershi... READ MORE

EU, Mexico Continue Efforts to Clinch Updated Trade Deal by Year's End

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 7, 2017

The EU and Mexico have concluded a sixth round of talks to update their existing trade accord, reporting advances on a series of negotiating areas and confirming that... READ MORE

Canada-US Softwood Lumber Row Escalates With Filing of NAFTA, WTO Cases

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 7, 2017

The past couple of weeks have seen a series of developments in the long-running US-Canada row over softwood lumber trade. Canada has lately launched cases under the No... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Negotiators Aim for "Endgame" in Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 7, 2017

Negotiators from the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur are ramping up their efforts to finalise a trade accord between them, with the hopes of announ... READ MORE

NAFTA Negotiators Close Fifth Round, Prepare to Set Stage for 2018 Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 23, 2017

Negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the US have concluded their fifth round of talks to modernise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the last such meeti... READ MORE

EU, Chile Launch Talks to Modernise Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 22, 2017

The EU and Chile have formally kicked off negotiations to modernise their existing Association Agreement, including its trade component, holding their first round of t... READ MORE

Chilean, Chinese Leaders Sign Deal to Amend Trade Pact

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 16, 2017

Chile and China are set to update their bilateral trade pact, with officials signing a protocol to amend the deal last week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Econom... READ MORE

Peru, Australia Clinch Free Trade Pact

November 16, 2017

Officials from Australia and Peru announced last week that they have finished talks on a bilateral trade accord, concluding a negotiating process that was announced la... READ MORE

EU Trade Ministers Prepare for MC11, Review FTA Negotiating Progress

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 16, 2017

Trade negotiations in the WTO context and with major partners were high on the agenda as European trade ministers met within the EU Foreign Affairs Council last week i... READ MORE

APEC Summit Wraps Up in Vietnam, Looking to Next Steps for Trade and Integration Agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 16, 2017

Leaders of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies concluded their 25th annual meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, on 11 November. Preceded by severa... READ MORE

TPP-11 Trade Talks Approach Finish Line Under a New Name

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 16, 2017

Trade ministers from the 11 remaining Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries announced last week that they are within striking distance of a plan to bring the trade... READ MORE

The gender chapters in trade agreements: A true revolution?

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 14, 2017

While the nexus between trade policy, gender equality, and sustainable development is increasingly clear, a new generation of free trade agreements is incorporating tr... READ MORE

Long live the TPP — Pacific trade pact survives largely intact

by FINANCIAL TIMES

November 13, 2017

Despite US withdrawal, the remaining 11 nations agreed to retain much of the original text

READ MORE

ASEAN signs free trade, investment pacts with Hong Kong

by REUTERS

November 12, 2017

Hong Kong signed free trade and investment agreements with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Sunday, in what one of the Chinese territory’s... READ MORE

Australia PM: EU, TPP-11 Accords Can Help Support Rules-Based Economic System

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 9, 2017

Advancing on trade rule-making in various regional contexts – including negotiating an EU-Australia trade accord and advancing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP... READ MORE

RCEP Negotiators Set Groundwork for November Leaders’ Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 2, 2017

The 20th round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) concluded in Incheon, South Korea last week, where delegates... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance, Associate Members Kick Off Free Trade Negotiations

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 2, 2017

The Pacific Alliance met with its incoming “associate members” for the first round of formal free trade negotiations last week in the Colombian city of Cal... READ MORE

France Approves Action Plan for CETA

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 2, 2017

The French government gave the green light to an “action plan” last week for the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), following a d... READ MORE

US Announces Move to Bar Timber Imports from Peruvian Company, Citing Illegal Logging Concerns

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 26, 2017

The US is set to use a provision in its trade accord with Peru to bar entry to imported timber from Inversiones La Oroza, a Peruvian exporter, according to an announce... READ MORE

TPP-11 Negotiators Prepare for Last Push After NZ, Japan Electoral Processes Conclude

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 26, 2017

Negotiators from the 11 remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are due to convene in Japan early next week, in a bid to advance talks significantly b... READ MORE

On NAFTA, America, Canada and Mexico are miles apart

by THE ECONOMIST

October 21, 2017

American demands are so extreme some suspect it of not wanting a deal at all.

 

READ MORE

NAFTA Ministers Acknowledge Significant Challenges, Extend Timetable to 2018

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 19, 2017

Negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the United States completed their fourth round of negotiations for modernising the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on... READ MORE

European Union, South Africa Review EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 19, 2017

One year after enacting the EU-South African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), officials from the EU and South Africa gathered in Joha... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Trade Talks in Decisive Stage Amid Push for Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 19, 2017

Negotiations between the 28-nation EU and the South American customs bloc Mercosur are entering a key stage, as officials debate sensitive issues such as market access... READ MORE

US, South Korea to Consider Possible Revisions to Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 12, 2017

Officials from the US and South Korea concluded their second “special session” of their joint committee under their bilateral trade deal, agreeing to consi... READ MORE

EU, India Leaders Call for "Timely Relaunch" of Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 12, 2017

Leaders from the EU and India are pushing to see the “timely relaunch” of their long-running trade talks, reaffirming their continued interest in advancing... READ MORE

EU Commission: Indonesia Trade Talks Advance to Text-Based Phase

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 5, 2017

Talks between the EU and Indonesia for a free trade accord have advanced to “text-based” negotiations in the majority of areas under consideration, accordi... READ MORE

NAFTA Negotiators Report Progress, Warn of Challenging Road Ahead

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 5, 2017

Ministers from Canada, Mexico, and the United States announced last week that they have made steady progress in their latest negotiating round on modernising the North... READ MORE

Anti-trumping duties: Protectionism and its risks

by THE ECONOMIST

October 5, 2017

Does the American president’s protectionism pose a threat to emerging countries? READ MORE

Why the Boeing-Bombardier fight is neither about Trump nor Brexit

by FINANCIAL TIMES

October 2, 2017

In the wake of last week’s move by the US Commerce Department to side with Boeing and order preliminary tariffs that would more than triple the price of Bom... READ MORE

TPP-11 Negotiators Consider Potential Options, Schedule October Session

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 28, 2017

Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP-11, resumed late last week in Tokyo, Japan, as officials debated a series of proposed options for advancing the a... READ MORE

Australia, Indonesia Trade Chiefs Push to Conclude Deal by November

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 28, 2017

Trade ministers from Australia and Indonesia announced last week that the two countries would aim to clinch a bilateral trade pact by November, bringing forward their... READ MORE

Canada, UK PMs Look to CETA as Starting Point for Future Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 21, 2017

On Monday 18 September, UK Prime Minister Theresa May visited Canada to discuss the terms of the trading relationship between the nations post-Brexit, announcing after... READ MORE

EU-Canada Trade Deal Begins Provisional Application

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 21, 2017

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Europe and Canada is set to start its provisional application on Thursday 21 September, slashing duties o... READ MORE

US Trade Rep Outlines Expectations for NAFTA, WTO, EU Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 21, 2017

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told a Washington audience this week that trade watchers should “expect change, expect new approaches, and expect actio... READ MORE

Chinese, Australian Officials Prepare for Trade Accord Review

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 21, 2017

Officials are preparing for the upcoming review later this year of certain chapters within the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), with ministers from Beiji... READ MORE

Building an Inclusive Continental Free Trade Area

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2017

In January 2012, African leaders adopted the decision to establish a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) by the indicative date of 2017, an important step in the Africa... READ MORE

Talking CFTA with Albert Muchanga, the AU’s Commissioner for Trade and Industry

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2017

Bridges Africa met with Albert Muchanga, the African Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Industry, to discuss the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) currently und... READ MORE

Bringing the CFTA About: Key Factors for Success

by BRINGING THE CFTA ABOUT: KEY FACTORS FOR SUCCESS

September 20, 2017

How can African negotiators and policymakers ensure that the CFTA will be successful? With the imminent release of the latest edition in the Assessing Regional Integra... READ MORE

Crafting a Robust CFTA: The Human Rights Contribution

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2017

Can African countries simultaneously foster trade liberalisation, economic growth, and human rights in the context of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA)? A recent... READ MORE

ASEAN 50 Years on: Lessons for the CFTA Process

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2017

Fifty years after the signing of its founding declaration, how much has the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) achieved in terms of regional integration? W... READ MORE

The CFTA Negotiations and the Issue of Coherence

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 20, 2017

What are the challenges facing the Continental Free Trade Area (CFT... READ MORE

BRICS Leaders Stress Economic, Development Cooperation at Xiamen Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 15, 2017

Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa concluded their ninth “BRICS” Summit last week, signing off on a declaration which covered topi... READ MORE

NAFTA Parties Pursue "Accelerated" Timeframe, Gear Up for Third Round of Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 14, 2017

Officials are gearing up for another negotiating round in the efforts to modernise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), with the next set of talks due for... READ MORE

Eyeing November Leaders' Meeting, RCEP Ministers Pledge to "Maximise Progress"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 14, 2017

Economic ministers from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries pledged to ramp up their negotiating efforts on an extensive regional free tra... READ MORE

TPP-11 Negotiators Review Trade Deal Options Ahead of November Meet

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 14, 2017

Senior officials from the 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) nations are gearing up for another set of meetings in Japan later this month, aiming to build on their dis... READ MORE

Three reasons Donald Trump is struggling to deliver his trade agenda

by FINANCIAL TIMES

September 11, 2017

A theme that emerged in Washington this summer was Donald Trump’s growing frustration with his stalled trade agenda. And with good reason. One of the president’s biggest... READ MORE

Technical Working Groups Gather to Advance CFTA Process

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 24, 2017

Representatives from the African Union’s (AU) member states and experts from African regional economic communities, the United Nations Conference on Trade and De... READ MORE

AGOA Forum Ends Without Greater Clarity About the Scheme’s Future

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 17, 2017

NAFTA Parties Prepare for August Negotiations Launch in Washington

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 3, 2017

Canada, Mexico, and the United States are preparing for the formal launch of negotiations to upgrade the North American Free Trade Agreement (N... READ MORE

Australian Trade Minister: Indonesia Economic Pact Top Priority

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 3, 2017

Australia’s Trade Minister Steven Ciobo READ MORE

RCEP Negotiators Conclude Nineteenth Round, Push for "Accelerated" Progress

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

August 3, 2017

Trade officials from 16 countries finished up the nineteenth round of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Hyderabad, India, last... READ MORE

EU, Japan seal free trade in signal to Trump

by REUTERS

July 6, 2017

Japan and the European Union agreed a free trade pact on Thursday to create the world's biggest open economic area and signal resistance to what they see as U.S. Presiden... READ MORE

EU, Japan Trade Negotiators Ramp Up Efforts to Conclude "Political Agreement"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 29, 2017

Negotiators from the EU and Japan are ramping up their work to clinch a bilateral trade agreement, with reports suggesting that the two sides are tentatively hoping to... READ MORE

Lighthizer Lays Out US Trade Policy Agenda, NAFTA Hearings Get Underway

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 29, 2017

US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer discussed with lawmakers the Trump administration’s trade policy priorities for the coming year, covering areas... READ MORE

PACER Plus Countries Prepare for Trade Deal Ratification

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 22, 2017

Australia, New Zealand, and eight Pacific island countries signed the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) last week in Nuku’alofa, T... READ MORE

US, New Zealand Officials Look to Deepen Trade Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 22, 2017

US and New Zealand officials are exploring options to deepen bilateral trade ties, with the possibility of formal trade talks being floated. New Zealand Trade Minister... READ MORE

Officials Discuss Ways to Tackle Gender Trade Gap at Brussels Forum

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 22, 2017

Officials from governments, international agencies, the private sector, and civil society discussed policy plans and ideas for how to address the gender trade gap duri... READ MORE

As Hamburg Summit Approaches, G20 Members Prepare for Debate on Trade

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 22, 2017

Members of the G20 coalition of major advanced and emerging economies are gearing up for their leaders' summit in Hamburg, scheduled from 7-8 July. The high-level... READ MORE

New data shows US loss from TPP withdrawal

by GLOBAL TRADE REVIEW

June 21, 2017

The US will lose an estimated US$3.1bn from its exports due to its Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) withdrawal, a new study shows. Meanwhile the remaining 11 members would... READ MORE

US and UK to start trade talks next month to ensure deal soon after Brexit

by THE TELEGRAPH

June 20, 2017

The trade talks with the US will kick off next month as British officials start to scope out plans for a deal, with the aim of setting up a free trade agreement as soon a... READ MORE

Germany’s Merkel vows not to give up on US free trade deal

by THE WASHINGTON POST

June 20, 2017

Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Tuesday to seek a broad agreement on trade at next month’s Group of 20 summit and told German business leaders that she won’t give up on a... READ MORE

EFTA and Mexico hold fourth round of negotiations on a review of the EFTA-Mexico Free Trade Agreement

by EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION

June 13, 2017

During a fourth round of negotiations held from 6 to 9 June 2017 in Mexico City, delegations from the four EFTA States and Mexico continued their negotiations on a rev... READ MORE

U.S. pork industry chief eager for early trade deal with Japan after Trump’s TPP withdrawal

by THE JAPAN TIMES

June 13, 2017

A U.S. pork industry leader has expressed strong hopes to see Washington and Tokyo quickly strike a free trade agreement, following the decision by President Donald Trump... READ MORE

Canadian Foreign Minister Stresses Value of Multilateralism, Outlines Trade Priorities

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 8, 2017

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland called for taking steps to support multilateralism and the rules-based international order during a speech in Ottawa, Canad... READ MORE

US, Mexico Clinch "Agreement in Principle" On Sugar Trade

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 8, 2017

Economic officials from the US and Mexico announced on Tuesday 6 June that they had reached a draft deal to prevent trade remedies planned by Washington on imported Me... READ MORE

The art of the free trade agreement

by THE HINDU

June 7, 2017

During their recent meeting in Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on the need to resume India-European Union (EU) free trade... READ MORE

Hopes of EU-US trade agreement put on ice, say Brussels sources

by THE GUARDIAN

June 5, 2017

The prospect of a revived EU-US trade deal is in “deep freeze”, according to Brussels sources, undermining reports that the EU has been inching ahead of the UK in the rac... READ MORE

Indian, German Leaders Renew Push for Deeper EU-India Trade Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 1, 2017

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Berlin this week, calling for renewed efforts towards boosting trade ties between New De... READ MORE

Australia, Peru Kick Off FTA Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 1, 2017

Australian and Peruvian trade officials announced last week the start of formal talks towards reaching a free trade agreement (FTA), with the first negotiating round s... READ MORE

US, EU Officials to Examine Next Steps for Trade Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 1, 2017

The US and the EU are planning to develop a “joint action plan” on trade, reports suggest, after leaders met in Brussels, Belgium, late last week. US Presi... READ MORE

G7 Leaders Call for "Free, Fair" Trade at Taormina Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 1, 2017

Leaders from the G7 nations met in the Sicilian town of Taormina from 26-27 May, with hot-button issues such as trade, inequality, the global economy, and climate chan... READ MORE

US Trade Rep Notifies Congress of NAFTA Negotiation Plans

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 24, 2017

US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer notified Congress last week of the planned renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), kicking o... READ MORE

At Hanoi Meet, Asia-Pacific Ministers Debate Future Trade Integration Paths

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 24, 2017

The past weekend saw ministerial meetings of multiple configurations in the Vietnamese city of Hanoi, as officials discussed the future of various trade-related initiativ... READ MORE

Brazil and South Africa Vow to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 19, 2017

Economic and trade relations between Brazil and South Africa need to be strengthened, insisted Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, the South African Minister of International Rela... READ MORE

Canadian Senate Approves CETA Implementation Bill

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 18, 2017

The Canadian Senate approved legislation last week for implementing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. The mo... READ MORE

Australia and Hong Kong begin free trade agreement talks

by SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

May 16, 2017

Australia and Hong Kong began talks to secure a free trade agreement, Australia's trade minister Steven Ciobo said on Tuesday, that he said would focus on securing increa... READ MORE

Committee on Trade Facilitation meets for first time

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

May 16, 2017

Concluded at the WTO’s 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, the TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of the WTO membership. In... READ MORE

Canada, Mercosur Eye Renewed Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 11, 2017

Canada and the South American trading bloc Mercosur have recently resumed preparations for potentially negotiating a future trade agreement, officials say, nearly five... READ MORE

US, Canada Weigh Next Steps in Softwood Lumber Trade Spat

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 11, 2017

The preliminary determination reached by the US Department of Commerce last month to levy countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports has been met with r... READ MORE

Malmström: EU, Mexico "Committed" to 2017 Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 11, 2017

The European Union and Mexico are “committed” to finishing talks to revamp their decades-old trade agreement this year, according to the EU’s top tra... READ MORE

TPP Meetings in Toronto Look to Set Stage for Hanoi Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2017

Senior officials from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries met in Toronto, Canada, on 2-3 May for preparatory discussions on next steps before a ministers&rsq...; READ MORE

Trump Orders Trade Deal Review, Continues NAFTA and South Korea Renegotiation Push

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2017

US President Donald Trump issued an executive order last weekend ordering a review of all trade deals involving the United States, which he said would play a role in k... READ MORE

ASEAN, Pacific Alliance to strengthen cooperation

by ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

May 3, 2017

ASEAN and the Pacific Alliance renewed their commitment to strengthen cooperation between the two regional organisations during the third Meeting of the Committee of Perm... READ MORE

Asia’s dynamism at risk in US and China’s competing visions for global trade

by FINANCIAL TIMES

May 3, 2017

Donald Trump, US president, asserts that “protection will lead to great prosperity and strength”. In contrast, President Xi Jinping of China insists that “we must promote... READ MORE

Launch of ICC Statement: Business recommendations on rules of origin in preferential trade agreements

by INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)

May 3, 2017

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has released recommendations on rules of origin in preferential trade agreements (PTAs), highlighting the challenges trader... READ MORE

Donald Trump takes aim at Canada

by THE ECONOMIST

April 29, 2017

Attacks on dairy farmers and loggers are the opening shots in a bigger confrontation over trade READ MORE

Trump: ‘We may terminate’ U.S.-South Korea trade agreement

by THE WASHINGTON POST

April 28, 2017

President Trump threatened to terminate the U.S. trade agreement with South Korea in an interview Thursday night, declaring that the five-year-old accord with a key ally... READ MORE

US Vice President: Washington Looking to Upgrade Korea Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 27, 2017

The US is hoping to launch negotiations with South Korea on upgrading their five-year-old trade deal, also known as the KORUS FTA, according to comments made by US Vic... READ MORE

WTO Ministerial Prep: Argentine FM Makes Case for Multilateralism in Geneva Visit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 27, 2017

Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra stressed the value of multilateralism during a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, this week, months before her country is due to h... READ MORE

US Officials Eye Next Steps on Trade with Europe, Japan, NAFTA Partners

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 27, 2017

The past weeks have seen a flurry of trade activity in Washington and beyond, including a trip by US Vice President Mike Pence to Asia; meetings between top American a... READ MORE

Why Is Trump Risking a Trade War With Canada?

by THE ATLANTIC

April 26, 2017

The president has softened some of his tough talk toward China and Mexico, transferring it to Canada and disputes over softwood lumber and dairy products. Donald Trump is... READ MORE

Macri confident a Mercosur/European Union trade accord can be expected in the second half of 2017

by MERCOPRESS

April 19, 2017

Argentine president Mauricio Macri is convinced that in the second half of the year Mercosur will sign the long awaited trade agreement with the European Union and will e... READ MORE

ECOWAS Parliament Members Reaffirm Commitment to Fight Counterfeit Medicines

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 18, 2017

Members of the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) parliament's Committee on Health and Social Service and Committee on Trade, Customs and Free... READ MORE

A Post-Brexit UK-GCC Deal Could Help UAE In Diversifying Its Economy

by FORBES

April 16, 2017

Britain is preparing for life after Brexit, while GCC countries are preparing for new financial realities in a post-oil era. The council nations are working on diversifyi... READ MORE

Mercosur, Pacific Alliance Members Push for Deeper Economic Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 13, 2017

On Friday 7 April, ministers from Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance convened in Buenos Aires for talks on developing closer ties between the two regional mechanisms, r... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Roundup: Japan, ASEAN Meeting, Australia-India FTA Update

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 13, 2017

The past week has seen various meetings on advancing regional integration projects in the Asia-Pacific, including a new round of talks between China, South Korea, and... READ MORE

EU Trade Talks with Mexico, Japan Continue, Aiming for Deals in Near-Term

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 13, 2017

Negotiations for both an EU-Mexico trade deal upgrade and a new EU-Japan trade agreement continued last week, with officials in both contexts suggesting that these eff... READ MORE

G20 Digital Ministers Unveil Roadmap, Trade Priorities

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

April 13, 2017

Ministers from the Group of 20 (G20) major advanced and emerging economies met in the German city of Düsseldorf from 6-7 April for talks on how to expand internet acce... READ MORE

Accord Between Mercosur and Pacific Alliance is Closer

by THE RIO TIMES

April 13, 2017

The government of Brazil announced on Friday that Mercosur trade partners (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) were closer to reaching an agreement with the Pacific... READ MORE

The EFTA countries show how hard Brexit will be for Britain

by THE ECONOMIST

April 12, 2017

Norway offers much to envy. The food is tasty, public services are great and the people are impossibly good-looking. Its trade policy looks equally desirable. Though it t... READ MORE

Trade After the Trans-Pacific Partnership

by THE NEW YORK TIMES

April 3, 2017

In mid-March, ministers and high-level representatives from nations that have signed on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as China, Colombia and South Korea, met... READ MORE

Mexico Ready to Play the Corn Card in Trade Talks

by THE NEW YORK TIMES

April 2, 2017

From the hundreds of millions of tortillas consumed every year to the countless tons of corn-enriched feed that fattens livestock and poultry, corn is perhaps Mexico’s mo... READ MORE

The two-year countdown to Brexit has begun

by THE ECONOMIST

April 1, 2017

Back in October Theresa May promised to invoke Article 50, the legal procedure for leaving the European Union, by the end of March 2017. On March 29th the prime minister... READ MORE

A Nod to NAFTA

by MONICA DE BOLLE

March 31, 2017

After months of charged rhetoric on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a draft letter to Congress from the Trump administration appears to signal a willingn... READ MORE

Brexit: EU says no to free trade talks until 'progress' on final terms

by THE GUARDIAN

March 31, 2017

Donald Tusk rules out parallel talks – a key aim of Theresa May’s government – as he unveils draft EU negotiating guidelines. EU leaders have said there will be no talks... READ MORE

African Experts Consider Ways to Speed up CFTA Negotiations

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 31, 2017

Experts from the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Con... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Negotiators Report Progress, Schedule Future Meetings

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 30, 2017

Negotiators meeting to advance a planned EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, including a free trade deal, finished their 27th round of talks last Friday in Buenos Aires... READ MORE

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Visits Australia and New Zealand, Eyes Trade Deal Upgrades

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 30, 2017

In official visits to Australia and New Zealand over the past week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with government and business leaders to discuss economic ties and co... READ MORE

EU, ASEAN Ministers Agree to Consider Trade Talks Reboot

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 16, 2017

The EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are preparing to examine the prospect of re-launching talks for a region-to-region trade accord, nearly e... READ MORE

Economic Integration Efforts Press Onward in Asia-Pacific Region

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 16, 2017

The past week has seen a series of regional integration efforts continue among Asia-Pacific economies, including a two-day summit among the signatories of the Trans-Pa... READ MORE

IMF's Christine Lagarde Calls on G-20 Members to Keep Growth "Momentum"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 16, 2017

Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called on G-20 officials preparing to meet in the German city of Baden-Baden later t... READ MORE

Vietnam Looks for Trade Deal with US

by VOICE OF AMERICA

March 14, 2017

Vietnam is seeking a trade deal with the United States to replace the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement. Official media in Vietnam say Prime Minister N... READ MORE

The Big TPP Meeting in Chile, Explained

by ASIA SOCIETY

March 14, 2017

On the third day of this presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order formally withdrawing the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement resu... READ MORE

Latin, Asian nations pursue free trade without U.S.

by MARKET WATCH

March 13, 2017

With the U.S. signaling a turn toward protectionism, nations that have benefited from global commerce, from Australia to Japan to Peru, are trying to pick up the free-tra... READ MORE

Canada, China Moving Closer to Potential Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 9, 2017

Efforts to lay the groundwork for possible negotiations on a bilateral Canada-China trade deal continue underway, with Canadian officials launching a three-month domes... READ MORE

EU's Malmström Pushes for Deeper Trade Ties in Asia-Pacific Region

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 9, 2017

Boosting economic ties with the Asia-Pacific region is one of the main items on the EU trade docket this week, as the bloc’s top trade official travels to Singap... READ MORE

Trump threatens to tear up the trade rule book

by FINANCIAL TIMES

February 27, 2017

The framework of rules for global trade has withstood some fearsome ructions over the past few years. The rise of China, which aroused resentment about job losses across... READ MORE

WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement Takes Effect

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 25, 2017

The World Trade Organization announced on Wednesday 22 February that the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) has now entered into force, having surpassed the minimum re... READ MORE

WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement enters into force

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

February 22, 2017

A major milestone for the global trading system was reached on 22 February 2017 when the first multilateral deal concluded in the 21 year history of the World Trade Organ... READ MORE

Major global agreement comes into force making trade cheaper, easier and faster

by UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)

February 22, 2017

Waiting times at customs points for trucks bringing goods into the East African nation of Rwanda dropped from an astonishing 11 days in 2010 to 34 hours in 2014 thanks to... READ MORE

EU-Canada Trade Agreement Wins European Parliament Green Light

by BLOOMBERG

February 15, 2017

The European Parliament approved a landmark free-trade agreement with Canada, shoring up Europe’s market-opening clout in the face of a populist surge across the continen... READ MORE

Trump: ‘We’ll be tweaking’ NAFTA

by THE HILL

February 14, 2017

President Trump struck a softer tone on trade Monday, saying his administration will be “tweaking” the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in a way that will be a... READ MORE

Abe not ruling out bilateral free trade pact with U.S.

by JAPAN TODAY

February 14, 2017

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday did not rule out negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement with the United States, a framework preferred by U.S. Presiden... READ MORE

Trump may be boon to Pacific Alliance

by NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW

February 10, 2017

Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to trash the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the four-nation Pacific Alliance is courting TPP as well as non-TPP countries --... READ MORE

China, New Zealand pledge support for free trade to counter global protectionism

by REUTERS

February 10, 2017

New Zealand and China will soon hold a series of high-level meetings and work to promote free trade, the countries' governments said on Friday, amidst growing concerns ab... READ MORE

Julie Bishop dismisses Donald Trump's threat to tear up free trade agreement

by SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

February 10, 2017

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told China that she doesn't take seriously the Trump administration's threat to tear up its trade agreement with Australia. China's fore... READ MORE

Unrealistic to see UK/EU trade deal in two years: EU representative

by REUTERS

February 10, 2017

It is unrealistic for Britain to expect to negotiate its exit from the European Union and reach a free trade agreement in two years and both will probably need an impleme... READ MORE

Trump is ready to renegotiate NAFTA. Here’s what that might look like

by VOX

February 9, 2017

Donald Trump campaigned for the presidency by deriding NAFTA, the free trade pact between the US, Canada, and Mexico, as a job killer and “the worst trade deal maybe ever... READ MORE

Sri Lanka Aiming for China Trade Deal in 2017, Official Says

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 9, 2017

Sri Lanka aims to finalise a free trade agreement (FTA) with China later this year, said the country's ambassador to Beijing last weekend. The two Asian economies... READ MORE

EU, Latin American Countries Move to Deepen Trade Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 9, 2017

Efforts on behalf of the EU and Mexico to modernise a sixteen-year old free trade agreement have been ramped up, following a phone call between EU Trade Commissioner C... READ MORE

TPP Signatories Consider Next Steps Following US Withdrawal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 9, 2017

Various meetings between ministers from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries are on the docket in the coming weeks, as the remaining signatories of the Pacifi... READ MORE

Peru Free Trade Agreement could help India diversify in LatAm region

by THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

February 8, 2017

A proposed comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Peru covering goods, services and investments may not only raise India’s export volumes to the weste... READ MORE

Brazil, Argentina Push for Closer Trade with Mexico in Trump Era

by VOICE OF AMERICA

February 7, 2017

The leaders of Brazil and Argentina said on Tuesday they would pursue closer ties with Mexico and other Latin American nations alarmed by U.S. President Donald Trump's pr... READ MORE

Officials Consider the US-South Korea Free Trade Deal

by VOICE OF AMERICA

February 7, 2017

American business leaders are urging South Korean leaders to increase market access to U.S. companies seeking to sell goods in South Korea. The business leaders want to p... READ MORE

Trump Tough Talk Pushes Argentina, Brazil to Embrace Trade

by BLOOMBERG

February 7, 2017

Two of South America’s most pro-market presidents are struggling to shake off the protectionist policies of the past when it comes to international trade. Tuesday’s state... READ MORE

Trudeau, Theresa May discuss trade, security amid fallout from Trump's immigration ban

by THE GLOBE AND MAIL

February 4, 2017

British Prime Minister Theresa May called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday to express condolences about the Quebec City shooting and update him on her recent vis... READ MORE

Here's what Donald Trump could want from Canada on NAFTA

by GLOBAL NEWS

February 3, 2017

Wondering what the Americans might want from Canada in a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement? Multiple clues might be embedded in a document publishe... READ MORE

Malmström: EU, Indonesia Trade Negotiations On the Move

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 2, 2017

Trade negotiations between the 28-nation European Union and Indonesia are kicking into gear, according to EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. The two sides launch... READ MORE

Trump, Abe to Discuss Potential Bilateral Deal and TPP at Washington Summit

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 2, 2017

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington to discuss trade and security matters in what will be the f... READ MORE

Theresa May: UK, US Setting Stage for Possible Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 2, 2017

The United Kingdom and the United States are examining how to move ahead with preliminary trade negotiations, according to UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who met with... READ MORE

Australia, UK Explore Options to Deepen Trade Ties

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 26, 2017

Exploratory discussions between the UK and Australia for a post-Brexit trade deal are expected to continue this week, media reports suggest, with some officials noting... READ MORE

CETA Clears Ratification Hurdle with EU Parliament Trade Committee Backing

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 26, 2017

The proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a free trade agreement negotiated between Canada and the EU, acquired the support of the European Parli... READ MORE

Trump Begins Setting US Trade Policy Course During First Week in Office

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 26, 2017

"The first week of Donald J. Trump's presidency of the United States has included both executive action and plans for meetings focused on trade, giving some e... READ MORE

Abe, Turnbull Highlight Commitment to TPP, Trade Ties in Bilateral Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 19, 2017

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in Sydney last weekend to discuss a host of trade issues, including their plans t... READ MORE

Eyes on CETA Ratification Ahead of EU Trade Committee Vote

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 19, 2017

Efforts to ratify an EU-Canada trade deal have seen progress in Europe, with the agreement receiving the backing of the European Parliament's environment, public h... READ MORE

Brexit and the free trade financial inclusion bonanza

by INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES

January 17, 2017

For the first time in generations Britain's ability to negotiate free trade agreements will be un-frozen. Proponents of free trade see in Brexit a global vision that coul... READ MORE

Ottawa weeks away from starting free-trade talks with China

by THE GLOBE AND MAIL

January 17, 2017

The Trudeau government is weeks away from an inaugural round of talks on a free-trade agreement with China as it presses ahead a central objective in its plan to deepen t... READ MORE

UK Aims For Middle East Free Trade Deal As May Outlines Brexit Strategy

by FORBES

January 17, 2017

British Prime Minister Theresa May has confirmed that the Gulf countries are hoping to sign a free trade deal with the UK, in a major speech outlining the core principles... READ MORE

Trump's Trade Agenda Would Turn Back the Clock to Another Age

by FOREIGN POLICY

December 22, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump and his economic team are threatening to dynamite the foundations of global trade that have underpinned decades of growth, with potentially d... READ MORE

National parliaments should ratify EU trade deals, says ECJ judge

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 21, 2016

A top judge in the European courts has said that national parliaments should ratify key aspects of future EU trade deals, throwing a potential spanner into the workings o... READ MORE

Macri and Bachelet agree on a Mercosur-Pacific Alliance meeting in first half of 2017

by MERCOPRESS

December 20, 2016

Argentina and Chile agreed to organize a major Mercosur, Pacific Alliance trade blocks' meeting during the first half of 2017. Last Friday Chilean president Michelle Bach... READ MORE

South Korea Seeks to Jump-Start Central America Ties With Regional Trade Deal

by WORLD POLITICS REVIEW

December 19, 2016

Representatives from South Korea, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama concluded negotiations for a free trade deal last month, with the fin... READ MORE

U.K. Mulling Turkey-Style Trade Pact After Brexit, Liam Fox Says

by BLOOMBERG

December 18, 2016

The U.K. could try to stay in the European customs union after Brexit, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said, in a further sign that the British government is consi... READ MORE

Chile president says Argentina welcome as Pacific Alliance member

by REUTERS

December 16, 2016

Chile would welcome Argentina as a member of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc, a group of four historically market-friendly Latin American countries, Chilean President Mic... READ MORE

Indonesia to prioritize Free Trade Agreement with European Union (EU)

by THOMSON REUTERS

December 16, 2016

The cooperation between participating countries within the Indonesia-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was designed to enhance the e... READ MORE

Canada ratifies the Trade Facilitation Agreement

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 16, 2016

Canada has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), making it the 103rd WTO member to do so. Only seven more ratifications from members are needed to bring the TF... READ MORE

U.K. Plays Down Report Brexit Trade Deal Could Take 10 Years

by BLOOMBERG

December 15, 2016

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s office downplayed remarks attributed to a British diplomat that it could take 10 years to negotiate a final free-trade deal with the Eur... READ MORE

ASEAN's regional trade pact gaining growing momentum

by CHINA DAILY

December 15, 2016

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has come into the global spotlight with the imminent demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. And the conclusion... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific: Japan Ratifies TPP, RCEP Gears Up for 2017

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 15, 2016

Japan’s upper house of parliament ratified the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement on Friday 9 December, marking the final stage for the Asian economy&rsqu...; READ MORE

NAFTA Tribunal Issues Ruling in Windstream-Canada Case

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 15, 2016

An investor-state arbitration tribunal published its final ruling last week in the row between a US-based wind energy company, Windstream, and the Canadian government.... READ MORE

Japan, EU in talks seeking free-trade deal by year-end

by REUTERS

December 14, 2016

Japan and the European Union are holding last-ditch talks this week to try reach a broad free trade agreement by the end of the year, Japanese government officials said.... READ MORE

Increasing rewards of China-Australia FTA offer bright spot amid global uncertainty

by CHINA DAILY

December 14, 2016

Almost a year on from the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), it is clear that the landmark deal is helping to underpin the bilateral relations amid an increas... READ MORE

RCEP to consolidate Asian integration

by THE JAKARTA POST

December 13, 2016

There have been many statements in the media lately about the impact of the United States election on Asia, specifically regarding president-elect Donald Trump’s comments... READ MORE

Vietnam Pivots Away from US-Led Trade Zone as Trump Preps for Office

by VOICE OF AMERICA

December 12, 2016

Vietnamese officials once excited by joining the U.S.-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a sweeping Pacific Rim trade zone, are looking instead to other deals that woul... READ MORE

Is it US v China in trade pacts?

by THE STRAITS TIMES

December 11, 2016

In one corner, there is the United States; in the other, China. The sole superpower trying to maintain its top position versus a dormant giant now increasingly ready to a... READ MORE

RCEP negotiators conclude 2nd chapter

by THE JAKARTA POST

December 10, 2016

The 16th round of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations has officially finished, after four days of negotiation meetings attended by more than 6... READ MORE

Malaysia’s trade policy post–TPP

by SHANKARAN NAMBIAR

December 10, 2016

Malaysia’s trade with the United States has been in decline. But with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement dead in the water, what is next for Malaysia’s trade a... READ MORE

Australia-Taiwan free trade deal caught in crossfire of Donald Trump

by AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

December 9, 2016

Australia is already feeling the effects of a more unpredictable foreign policy under US president-elect Donald Trump, with worried plans to start negotiating a free trad... READ MORE

Data fight emerges as last big hurdle to EU-Japan trade deal

by POLITICO

December 9, 2016

A dispute over data has emerged as an unexpected obstacle to an EU-Japan free-trade deal only weeks before diplomats expected to seal a political agreement. READ MORE

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Nearing Entry into Force

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 8, 2016

The process to bring the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) into force is entering the home stretch, with the Geneva-based organisation reporting that only... READ MORE

Australian Treaties Committee Urges TPP Ratification

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 8, 2016

The Australian Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) issued its report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement to the country’s parliament last w... READ MORE

Malmström: EU-Japan Trade Talks Near End Stage, Though Obstacles Remain

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 8, 2016

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström affirmed this week that the 28-member bloc is “very close” to finalising talks for a bilateral free trade agreement... READ MORE

The Future Of The 14 Free Trade Agreements America Has Under Trump

by FORBES

December 7, 2016

There has been much focus on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and free trade agreements in general, especially in the U.S. during the recent presidential e... READ MORE

Brussels ‘close’ to free-trade deal with Japan

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 5, 2016

Brussels is “very close” to a free-trade deal with Japan as negotiators seek to ease anxiety in Tokyo that an agreement could run into the same kind of political trouble... READ MORE

TPP Can Be Fixed If You Know What’s Wrong with It

by JEFFREY J. SCHOTT

December 5, 2016

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on November 21, 2016 that he would withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on day one of his administration. Opposition t... READ MORE

RCEP Is Not the Anti-TPP

by THE DIPLOMAT

December 3, 2016

RCEP is a necessary step for Asian regional integration, regardless of what happens with TPP. READ MORE

China-NZ FTA would help drive the maritime silk road

by GLOBAL TIMES

December 2, 2016

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said last week that China and New Zealand had agreed to launch talks to upgrade their free trade agreement (FTA). This would be the fi... READ MORE

Africa looks to boost growth and jobs with free-trade area

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 1, 2016

Six years ago it took almost three weeks for a shipping container to travel the 1,100km from the Kenyan port of Mombasa to Kampala, the Ugandan capital. While poor infras... READ MORE

Lawmakers in EU, Canada Begin Consideration of CETA Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 1, 2016

The next stage in the approval process for the EU-Canada trade pact is now getting underway, officials say, with parliamentary committees in Europe preparing to vote o... READ MORE

If NAFTA gets the ax under Trump, American workers and consumers would get hurt too

by BUSINESS INSIDER

November 29, 2016

Mexico's finance minister José Antonio Meade touted the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement during a trip to the United Kingdom, the Financial Times repor... READ MORE

Globalisation by stealth: the quiet success of EU-Japan trade talks

by FINANCIAL TIMES

November 29, 2016

Much horror and perturbation among the Asia-Pacific countries meeting earlier this month in Lima at Donald Trump’s threat to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, th... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Leaders Consider Next Steps for TPP Accord

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 24, 2016

US President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he would be pulling the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) upon taking office, in a move... READ MORE

TiSA Ministerial Cancelled, Officials To Prepare for 2017

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 24, 2016

A planned ministerial meeting for countries involved in negotiating a plurilateral services trade agreement has been called off, sources confirmed, with negotiators an... READ MORE

China, New Zealand Confirm Plans to Update Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 24, 2016

Officials from New Zealand and China have announced their plans to “upgrade” their existing trade deal, which has been in force since 2008. The news was co... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Leaders Consider Next Steps for TPP Accord

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 24, 2016

US President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he would be pulling the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) upon taking office, in a move... READ MORE

TiSA Ministerial Cancelled, Officials To Prepare for 2017

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 24, 2016

A planned ministerial meeting for countries involved in negotiating a plurilateral services trade agreement has been called off, sources confirmed, with negotiators an... READ MORE

China Wants Quick Close on Regional Trade Agreement for Asia

by BLOOMBERG

November 23, 2016

China wants to seal the deal on a trade agreement with Southeast Asian countries as soon as possible with a U.S.-led pact now in doubt, a Ministry of Commerce official sa... READ MORE

Japan forced to rethink TPP strategy

by THE JAPAN NEWS

November 22, 2016

The Japanese government will likely be driven into a corner over the Trans-Pacific Partnership, in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement of his int... READ MORE

Regional before global: A value chain approach to industrialisation in West Africa

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 22, 2016

Sustainable Development Goal 9 calls for a commitment to “build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.” Are... READ MORE

Don’t allow TPP trade agreement to be sent back to drawing board

by THE JAPAN TIMES

November 21, 2016

In moving toward the realization of comprehensive trade and investment rules that are unprecedented anywhere else, the preparedness of participating countries is tested o... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Summit Closes With Call to Work for Free Trade

by BLOOMBERG

November 20, 2016

Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific nations ended their annual summit Sunday with a call to resist protectionism amid signs of increased free-trade skepticism, highlighted by the... READ MORE

APEC Summit: Xi Jinping pledges economic openness as leaders seek free trade options

by ABC NEWS

November 20, 2016

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to further open China's economy, as leaders of Asia-Pacific countries sought new trade options at this year's APEC meeting in Per... READ MORE

APEC Leaders Issue Declaration in Lima

by ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

November 20, 2016

The Leaders of the 21 APEC member economies concluded the 2016 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima on Sunday by adopting a Declaration on advancing quality growth and... READ MORE

Andean Community: Ecuador Joins EU Trade Pact with Colombia, Peru

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 17, 2016

After years of negotiations, officials gathered in Brussels on Friday 11 November to sign the protocol for Ecuador’s accession to the free trade agreement betwee... READ MORE

UK Scopes Out Foreign Trade Options As Legal Challenges Continue on "Brexit"

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 17, 2016

UK officials have continued exploring options for deepening ties with other trading powers in a post-“Brexit” world, as legal challenges continue on home s... READ MORE

As New "Trump" Reality Sinks In, Questions Grow Over Future Trade Policy

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 17, 2016

Just over one week after the news that Donald Trump will serve as the next president of the United States, key trading partners are working to prepare for the change i... READ MORE

Tanzanian parliament advises government not to sign EPA with EU

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 17, 2016

Last week, members of the Tanzanian parliament (MPs) unanimously called on the East African country’s government not to sign an Economic Partnership agreement (E... READ MORE

Canada open to renegotiating free trade with Trump

by THE WASHINGTON POST

November 12, 2016

Canada’s ambassador to Washington said Wednesday that Canada is open to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement if that’s what President-elect Donald Trump... READ MORE

Obama administration suspends Pacific trade deal vote effort

by REUTERS

November 11, 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has suspended its efforts to win congressional approval for his Asian free-trade deal before President-elect Donald Trump tak... READ MORE

Asia doesn’t think Trump is serious about ripping up trade agreements

by THE WASHINGTON POST

November 10, 2016

Donald Trump could not have been clearer in his election campaign: China is cheating the United States out of millions of jobs and will be forced to behave, through drama... READ MORE

RCEP Participating Countries Call for Swift Conclusion of Negotiations

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 10, 2016

Negotiations for the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are increasingly making progress towards crafting a future trade and investment deal... READ MORE

TPP ratification down to the wire in waning Obama White House

by THE GLOBE AND MAIL

November 8, 2016

No matter who prevails in Tuesday’s presidential election, the U.S. ambassador to Canada says President Barack Obama is determined to win an uphill fight to get congressi... READ MORE

What Would A Trump Victory Mean For UK Businesses Trading With The US?

by HUFFINGTON POST UK

November 7, 2016

It’s been a long time since trade was such a hot button topic when talking politics. Tip O’Neill, a former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, often used to say t... READ MORE

Why Americans Aren’t Nearly as Protectionist as Election Rhetoric Suggests

by CULLEN S. HENDRIX

November 4, 2016

A popular but wildly incorrect narrative has taken hold during the 2016 election cycle—that both candidates’ anti-trade rhetoric is the product of a mass revolt against f... READ MORE

US Trade Officials Prepare for a Post-Election Landscape on TPP

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 3, 2016

With less than one week remaining until US voters go to the polls, officials both from the current Obama administration as well as from other Trans-Pacific Partnership... READ MORE

EU-Canada Trade Deal Signed, Overcoming Hurdles in Belgium

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 3, 2016

Leaders from the EU and Canada signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Sunday, following several weeks of talks to win the required backing of... READ MORE

What the Canada-EU Deal Means for the Future of Trade

by FORTUNE

November 2, 2016

Last Sunday, after seven years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and Canada signed a free trade agreement known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (... READ MORE

World Bank: Record number of business reforms carried out in Africa

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 28, 2016

Economies across sub-Saharan Africa have adopted a record number of reforms to upgrade their business environment over the past year, says the World Bank in its Doing... READ MORE

Signing preferential, free trade deals to boost Iran-Malaysia economic ties

by TEHRAN TIMES

October 24, 2016

As Vaezi told reporters, negotiations have been conducted for exporting Iranian petrochemical products to Malaysia and Iranian products will enter the country’s market in... READ MORE

UK will agree tariff-free trade deal with EU, minister claims

by THE INDEPENDENT

October 23, 2016

The European Union will agree a tariff-free trade deal with the UK – and it will not run into the same difficulties faced by the troubled Canadian pact, a cabinet ministe... READ MORE

Ceta talks: EU hopes to unblock Canada trade deal

by BBC

October 22, 2016

The European Parliament president says he is optimistic that a free-trade deal between the EU and Canada can be signed soon despite last-minute obstacles. Objections by a... READ MORE

Singapore, Australia Sign Updates to Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 20, 2016

Singaporean and Australian officials signed a series of updates to their existing trade deal last week, particularly in the area of services, following their latest re... READ MORE

As EU-Canada Summit Approaches, Pressure Grows to Reach CETA Consensus

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

October 20, 2016

The European Council is due to begin a two-day leaders’ meeting on Thursday, where they are expected to confirm whether they are in a position to sign a negotiat... READ MORE

Tracking regional integration in Africa

by WILLIAM DAVIS

October 18, 2016

One of the challenges hindering the implementation of Africa’s regional integration agenda has been the lack of an effective monitoring mechanism. How can the Af... READ MORE

New softwood lumber trade war with US worries northern Ontario forest workers

by CBC NEWS

October 12, 2016

Mill workers and mill towns across northern Ontario are fearing the start of another trade war with the US over softwood lumber. That's because the trade deal that helped... READ MORE

Brexit Briefing: The pitfalls of a trade pivot to Asia

by FINANCIAL TIMES

October 11, 2016

According to Liam Fox, Britain’s international trade secretary, modern businesses compete in a “post-geography trading world”. The UK’s proximity to continental Europe co... READ MORE

Harmonized Standards Can Sharpen EAC Competitive Edge

by TRADEMARK EAST AFRICA

October 10, 2016

Standards are a vital element in trade, because they help business interaction and access to markets in the economy. Standards and compliance can also encourage trade by... READ MORE

U.S. Is Rare Bright Spot in Southeast Asia as China Exports Drop

by BLOOMBERG

October 6, 2016

After years of looking to China as a source of growth, Southeast Asian countries are turning their attention back to the world’s largest economy on the other side of the... READ MORE

EU Trade Ministers: TTIP Conclusion Unlikely This Year

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 29, 2016

EU trade ministers affirmed last week that finishing negotiations on a bilateral trade and investment deal with the US before year’s end is an “unrealistic... READ MORE

Canada, China to Explore Potential for Trade Deal, Officials Say

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 29, 2016

In Ottawa last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that his country will commence “exploratory talks” as a first step towards poten... READ MORE

US-Africa trade relationship in focus at AGOA forum

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 29, 2016

On 22-26 September, African and US ministers, trade officials, civil society, and business sector representatives gathered in Washington D.C. to discuss the implementa... READ MORE

Japan's ratifying TPP will signal commitment to free trade, help economic revitalisation: PM Lee

by THE STRAITS TIMES

September 28, 2016

The ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is crucial at a time when protectionist sentiments are on the rise around the world, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loon... READ MORE

Trump, Clinton target trade deals at a time when globalization is stalling

by THE WASHINGTON POST

September 27, 2016

The steady march of globalization that powered the world economy for the past 30 years is stalling out at a time when leading political figures in the United States and e... READ MORE

European parliament approves trade deal with southern African countries

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 23, 2016

Members of the European parliament (MEPs) have approved, on 14 September 2016, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and six member states of the Sou... READ MORE

EU, North American Officials Push Trade Deals Ahead of Key Meeting

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 22, 2016

Trade officials from the EU, Canada, and the United States have been pushing two major international accords over the past week, aiming to make a compelling case in ti... READ MORE

Eurasian Economic Union's First External FTA to Come into Force

by THE DIPLOMAT

September 21, 2016

The Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam finally have a solid date for the enforcement of their free trade agreement. While the EEU will tout the agreement as its first tr... READ MORE

Who Hates Free Trade Treaties? Surprisingly, Not Voters

by THE NEW YORK TIMES

September 21, 2016

Few issues in this campaign cycle seem as toxic as trade: Both major-party presidential candidates oppose President Obama’s 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, and congr... READ MORE

ASEAN Leaders Eye Next Steps For Boosting Economic Integration

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 15, 2016

The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) concluded a series of leaders’ level meetings last week, gathering in Vientiane, Laos, for three days of talks on &l...; READ MORE

Obama Pushes TPP Case in Asia, Despite Difficult Landscape at Home

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 15, 2016

US President Barack Obama continued to make the case for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during a visit to Asia last week, warning of the risk to his country&rsquo...; READ MORE

Could emerging economies accelerate regional integration in Africa?

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 15, 2016

As the regional integration agenda in Africa gains speed, is the economic engagement of emerging economies on the continent contributing to that agenda? If so, how? If... READ MORE

Brexit: An Impossibly Complex Task for the UK’s New Trade Negotiators?

by CHAD BOWN

September 7, 2016

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (UK) held a referendum on whether to unwind its relationship with the European Union (EU). The UK populace chose “Brexit.” It was a c... READ MORE

UK, Australia Begin Scoping Future Trade Deal Options

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

September 7, 2016

The UK and Australia announced on Wednesday that they are establishing a working group to explore the possible options for a future bilateral trade pact, which the two si... READ MORE

Key ingredients of opposition to free trade? Prejudice and nationalism

by THE WASHINGTON POST

August 22, 2016

Economic globalization hasn’t won any popularity contests this summer. After 25 million primary voters supported the protectionist rhetoric of Bernie Sanders and Donald T... READ MORE

Want proof that Britain can thrive after Brexit? Look at South Korea

by THE GUARDIAN

August 22, 2016

In the furore over how Britain should look post-Brexit, it’s surprising that we haven’t heard more about South Korea. Because whether it’s Switzerland, Norway or Canada,... READ MORE

Canada feels anti-trade winds blowing from the south

by AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW

August 22, 2016

The US presidential election is looming large at the Canadian government's summer retreat, with US trade ties among the discussion points for Prime Minister Justin Trudea... READ MORE

Macri after full integration of Mercosur with the Pacific Alliance

by MERCOPRESS

August 18, 2016

Latin America needs greater economic integration and a merger of Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance should be the objective, according to Argentine president Mauricio Macr... READ MORE

Why Critics Of Free Trade Are Talking China, Not NAFTA

by FIVETHIRTYEIGHT

August 18, 2016

When Donald Trump delivered his big economic speech in Detroit earlier this month, free trade — and the harm it has allegedly done to U.S. workers — was at the center of... READ MORE

Obama Still Has a Shot at Passing the TPP

by FORTUNE

August 17, 2016

Given that the two contenders for the U.S. presidency are strongly against free trade agreements, you would think that they are reflecting the views of the American peopl... READ MORE

Pak, Iran talks on FTA fail to make further progress

by DAILY TIMES

August 7, 2016

Negotiations between Pakistan and Iran on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have failed to make any further progress as Iran hasn't given the draft of Free Trade Framework agree... READ MORE

Malaysia, Ukraine to expedite joint trade commission to boost two-way trade

by THE MALAY MAIL

August 4, 2016

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in a joint press conference with visiting President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, after their bilateral meetings here today, said t... READ MORE

Obama Defends Trans-Pacific Deal Against Strong Anti-Trade Tide

by THE NEW YORK TIMES

August 2, 2016

Battling a powerful anti-trade tide, President Obama vowed on Tuesday to continue pressing for his historic trans-Pacific trade deal over opposition from both Hillary Cli... READ MORE

Argentina and Mexico pledge to reach “absolute integration and free trade”

by MERCOPRESS

August 1, 2016

Argentina and Mexico agree on the need to reach absolute integration and free trade, as part of the closer bilateral relations confirmed with the visit to Buenos Aires of... READ MORE

Alibaba floats airport free-trade zone

by NEW ZEALAND HERALD

August 1, 2016

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has floated a proposal for a free trade zone to be created in Auckland near to the airport. Alibaba president Michael Evans promoted the... READ MORE

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo to visit Jakarta to shore up free trade deal

by SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

July 31, 2016

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo will travel to Jakarta this week in his first trade-related overseas trip since the election, underscoring the emphasis Australia is placing on... READ MORE

G-20 Finance Ministers: Economic Recovery "Weaker" Than Hoped

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 28, 2016

The global economic recovery remains “weaker than desirable,” READ MORE

What’s ahead for the WTO: Looking around the corner and beyond

by RICARDO MELÉNDEZ-ORTIZ

July 26, 2016

Trade ministries, just as other parts of government, need to respond to calls from the public and from global leaders for action on major issues. This column argues that... READ MORE

Report urges WTO members to resist protectionism and “get trade moving again”

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

July 25, 2016

WTO members need to avoid putting up barriers and “get trade moving again” in order to address slow global economic growth, according to the Director-General’s mid-year r... READ MORE

U.K. Trade Chief Seeks to Calm U.S. Jitters Over Brexit

by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

July 25, 2016

The U.K.’s top trade official sought to assure Americans on Monday that London wants to preserve and advance close economic ties as the country moves to exit the European... READ MORE

U.S./Mexico Presidents Pledge More Trade; No Wall

by BLOOMBERG BNA

July 25, 2016

President Barack Obama and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto outlined a series of trade and commerce efforts, including pushing for approval of the trans-Pacific pact... READ MORE

UK explores multi-billion pound free trade deal with China

by BBC

July 24, 2016

Chancellor Philip Hammond has begun discussions with China on an ambitious free trade deal which could see greater access for major Chinese banks and businesses to the UK... READ MORE

EAC-EU EPA signing postponed as deliberations continue

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 22, 2016

The signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and the EAC (East African Community) due to be ratified in October 2016 has been postponed, comi... READ MORE

US Republican Party Platform Outlines Trade Approach, Lambasts Obama Climate Agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 21, 2016

The Republican National Convention (RNC) adopted the final version of its “READ MORE

Following Leadership Change, UK Officials Test Waters on Future Trade Deals

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 21, 2016

The new government of UK Prime Minister Theresa May has begun exploring possible options for trade deals with third countries, officials say, though the process to for... READ MORE

EU, Indonesia Set to Begin Trade Talks

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 21, 2016

The EU and Indonesia have now launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), officials confirmed this week, with the first round of t... READ MORE

TTIP Negotiators Reiterate 2016 Goal, While Noting Market Access Gaps

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 21, 2016

US and EU officials reaffirmed last week that they still aim to clinch a bilateral trade and investment pact this year, while acknowledging that much work remains in a... READ MORE

Least developed countries lose 10 percent of exports on non-tariff measures

by UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)

July 21, 2016

Least developed countries lose an estimated $23 billion per year, equal to about 10 per cent of their exports to the Group of 20 (G20) through failure to comply with G20... READ MORE

Trade facilitation: a priority for the continent?

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 19, 2016

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda recognises the important role that trade can play as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development. For this potential to m... READ MORE

How the Trade Facilitation Agreement can help reduce trade costs for LDCs

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 19, 2016

The Aid for Trade (AfT) initiative launched at the WTO’s 2005 Hong-Kong ministerial meeting has been successful at raising funds. But after five biennial reviews... READ MORE

Making trade facilitation work in Africa: Lessons from the service delivery agenda

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 19, 2016

June 23 marked the UN Public Service Day, the official international day of recognition for the value and virtue of public service to the community and its role in the... READ MORE

Trade governance frameworks in a world of global value chains

by SHERRY M. STEPHENSON

July 19, 2016

In today’s globalised economy, understanding global value chains (GVCs) is essential for the development of trade and investment. This article presents a number... READ MORE

TransCanada takes next step in NAFTA case on Keystone pipeline

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 15, 2016

Canadian energy giant TransCanada has now filed a request for investor-state arbitration in connection with the US government’s rejection last year of its applic... READ MORE

Britain after Brexit looks like some Latin American countries

by ANDRES OPPENHEIMER

July 15, 2016

After several decades of covering Latin American affairs, I'm pretty used to seeing developing countries that are deeply divided over where they should fit in the global... READ MORE

South Africa launches initiative to promote trade with African partners

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 14, 2016

Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, recently announced the upcoming launch of Trade Africa, which will replace what was previously known a... READ MORE

No FTA talks before Beijing grants fair market access: EU trade commissioner

by THE CHINA POST

July 12, 2016

The EU trade commissioner said Monday that China has to give European companies the same kind of market access that Chinese companies enjoy in Europe before discussions c... READ MORE

Starting Over on Tariffs: Post-Brexit Trade Agreement Partners for the United Kingdom

by PETERSON INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS

July 12, 2016

In the wake of the Brexit vote, the UK business secretary announced the exploration of free trade agreement (FTA) talks with India. The same announcement mentioned potent... READ MORE

Canada signs landmark free trade agreement with Ukraine

by GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

July 11, 2016

The Government of Canada remains committed to working with Ukrainian government and business leaders to deepen the commercial ties between our countries and create jobs,... READ MORE

Draft US Democratic Party Platform Notes Mixed Feelings on TPP

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 7, 2016

Lawmakers from the US Democratic Party wish to see trade deals that feature stronger environmental and labour protections, while having mixed feelings on the merits of... READ MORE

EU Commission: CETA to Face Votes in National Parliaments

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 7, 2016

The European Commission proposed on Tuesday that a planned trade deal with Canada be s... READ MORE

Trade negotiations - no big deal?

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

July 1, 2016

The conventional wisdom in trade policy circles for some years now has been that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is incapable of moving ahead meaningfully on a mode... READ MORE

‘A midsummer night’s nightmare’ for European trade

by POLITICO

June 27, 2016

The U.K.’s decision to leave the EU means the loss of a major political and economic partner with a history of championing free trade at a critical moment for a mammoth a... READ MORE

British trade can flourish without the shackles of Brussels

by FINANCIAL TIMES

June 27, 2016

The immediate reaction of financial markets to Britain’s decision to leave the EU has been telling. Sterling has fallen sharply but gilt yields have rallied and the FTSE... READ MORE

Free trade will not have an ally in the White House next year

by FINANCIAL TIMES

June 26, 2016

When Donald Trump rode down his golden escalator and announced his run for the US presidency last summer, few may have recognised the official end of the era of free-trad... READ MORE

How will Brexit affect Britain's trade with Europe?

by THE GUARDIAN

June 26, 2016

Britain will have to reach a new trade agreement with the European Union following its decision to sever links with Brussels. The task will be complex and will have to be... READ MORE

Post Brexit: The UK's trade deal challenges

by BBC

June 25, 2016

The government will now face the challenge of negotiating the terms of the post-exit relationship between the UK and the EU. Many of the issues that will have to be resol... READ MORE

Trade priority for the next administration: US-UK free trade agreement

by AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

June 25, 2016

Brexit blah blah blah – what should the US do? One answer may be to immediately reorient trade policy toward a US-UK free trade agreement, perhaps to be followed by a US-... READ MORE

EU, Mexico Begin Talks to Update Economic Agreement

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 23, 2016

Negotiators have held their first round of talks to update a bilateral economic accord between the EU and Mexico, meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on 13-14 June... READ MORE

RCEP Countries Conclude Auckland Round, Eye Next Steps

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 23, 2016

Negotiators meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, last week continued their efforts to finalise talks this year for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a... READ MORE

The quest for a Pan-African Investment Code to promote sustainable development

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 21, 2016

The year 2015 was a crucial one for Africa regarding the negotiation of the first continent-wide investment agreement: the Pan-African Investment Code (PAIC).

&n...; READ MORE

Do comprehensive trade agreements generate more trade? A conjecture to reconcile alternative theories

by DAN CIURIAK

June 20, 2016

Ours is an age of free trade agreements (FTAs) of all sorts and of various depth and breadth in the issues they cover - simple bilateral preferential trade agreements,... READ MORE

WTO members eye preparations for enacting trade facilitation deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 20, 2016

WTO members are preparing to put in place the first new global trade deal in decades – the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) – given that three-quarters o... READ MORE

WTO Members Eye Preparations for Enacting Trade Facilitation Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 16, 2016

WTO members are preparing to put in place the first new global trade deal in decades – the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) – given that three-quarters o... READ MORE

Argentina Welcomed as Pacific Alliance Observer

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 16, 2016

Argentina is now an official observer to the Pacific Alliance, the South American bloc that includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru as full members. As a resul... READ MORE

Southern African Countries, EU Sign Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 16, 2016

On 10 June, six countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – specifically, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Swazil... READ MORE

Alternative EU trade models not in your interest, UK warned

by FINANCIAL TIMES

June 15, 2016

Business lobby groups from several of the countries that could provide a model for a post-Brexit UK have spoken out to advise the British to remain in the EU. In April, M... READ MORE

Southern African Countries, EU Sign Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 14, 2016

On 10 June, six countries from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – specifically, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Swazil... READ MORE

Regional trade talks out in open

by NEW ZEALAND HERALD

June 13, 2016

Trade Minister Todd McClay is out to banish the taint of excessive secrecy from New Zealand's free trade negotiations by holding a public session with this country's trad... READ MORE

EU signs Economic Partnership Agreement with Southern African countries

by EUROPEAN COMMISSION

June 10, 2016

The European Union and six countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) today signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the first of its kind betw... READ MORE

Current, Future Trade Deals in Focus at Paris Ministerial Gathering

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 9, 2016

Making progress in current and future trade negotiations was touted as a valuable way for increasing productivity and generating inclusive growth, according to a joint... READ MORE

EU, Japan to Aim for 2016 "Agreement in Principle" on FTA

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 2, 2016

An investor-state arbitration tribunal under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) recently released its d... READ MORE

G-7 Leaders Warn of "Brexit" Risks to Trade, Investment Ahead of June Vote

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 2, 2016

Leaders from the G-7 coalition of major advanced economies issued a harsh warning last week over the ramifications a “Brexit” would have on the global econ... READ MORE

African countries hold second CFTA Negotiating Forum

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 2, 2016

Representatives from the African Union’s (AU) member states held the second session of the Continental Free Trade Area Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF), continuing th... READ MORE

Running down that hill: A trade negotiator's anxiety

by DANIEL BLOCKERT

June 1, 2016

Life as a trade negotiator can be frustrating for many reasons. One of the main sources for this frustration is the contrast between the often glacial pace of multilat... READ MORE

The ISDS controversy: How we got here and where next

by SIMON LESTER

June 1, 2016

In recent years the debate over investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) has heated up and in Europe is reaching boiling point. European governments were once the main... READ MORE

Running Out of Tools: The G20 and the Global Trade Halt

by SIMON EVENETT

June 1, 2016

Restoring economic growth is the primary mission of the G-20. International commerce — exports, imports, foreign direct investment (FDI), international licensing... READ MORE

Obama "Confident" of TPP Passage, Touting Trade Benefits During Asia Trip

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 25, 2016

US President Barack Obama said on Monday that he is “confident” that his country’s Congress will be able to ratify a sweeping 12-country trade deal,... READ MORE

In Uncertain Economic Climate, APEC Trade Ministers Eye Areas for Growth

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 25, 2016

Trade ministers from 21 Asia-Pacific economies meeting in Arequipa, Peru, last week cal... READ MORE

Make America Trade Again

by ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN

May 23, 2016

No matter how much some US presidential candidates may deride free trade, it remains the backbone of the American economy. Without it, the country would become significan... READ MORE

Logistics are key to realise Africa's economic potential, says FIATA

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 23, 2016

The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA, in French: Fédération Internationale des Associations de Transitaires et Assimilés) released on... READ MORE

The Trans-Pacific Partnership as a set of international economic rules

by TSUYOSHI KAWASE

May 23, 2016

EU Trade Ministers Review Next Steps for US, Canada Pacts

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 19, 2016

The European Commission has confirmed plans to submit a proposal to the European Council in June for signing the 28-nation bloc’s trade deal with Canada, amid co... READ MORE

EU, Mercosur Exchange Offers, Amid Brazil Political Turmoil

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 19, 2016

The EU and Mercosur exchanged offers on goods and services in their trade talks last week, in an effort to give new momentum to the long-running negotiations. The move... READ MORE

Australia, Singapore Set to Upgrade Trade Deal

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 19, 2016

Australia and Singapore have agreed on a series of steps to build on their 2003 trade deal, officials announced earlier this month. The measures are in the context of... READ MORE

New Zealand Lawmakers Hold First "Reading" of TPP Legislation

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 19, 2016

New Zealand lawmakers held their first “reading” last week of an omnibus bill that would enact the necessary changes to domestic law for bringing the Trans... READ MORE

Approaching the CFTA services negotiations: Which way towards delivery by 2017?

by VIOLA SAWERE DAVID NDOLO

May 19, 2016

The services sector is becoming a key driver of sustainable economic growth and structural transformation in African economies. The World Bank estimates that the secto... READ MORE

Mega-regional agreements and global trade governance: Ensuring openness and inclusiveness in an increasingly complex system

by FABIAN BOHNENBERGER

May 19, 2016

The key challenge for policymakers in international trade over the coming years will be to ensure that mega-regional and plurilateral agreements complement rather than... READ MORE

Negotiations ongoing for GCC-China free trade agreement, says official

by GULF TIMES

May 15, 2016

Negotiations are ongoing between Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries and China to reach a free trade agreement, an official of the Federation of the GCC Chambers (F... READ MORE

Mercosur’s missed boat

by THE ECONOMIST

May 14, 2016

At a meeting in Brussels this week, officials from the European Union (EU) and Mercosur exchanged offers to cut tariffs and expand market access for each others’ goods an... READ MORE

Mexico Banking on New Market Access Through TPP to Grow Its Economy

by WORLD POLITICS REVIEW

May 12, 2016

Mexican Trade Minister Herminio Blanco told a gathering of Mexican and Japanese business leaders earlier this month that “Mexico will become more competitive when the TPP... READ MORE

Vietnam calls for more ASEAN-Pacific Alliance exchange activities

by VIETNAM NET

May 12, 2016

Ambassador Nguyen Hoanh Nam, head of the Vietnamese delegation to ASEAN made the propose at a meeting between the ASEAN’s Committee of Permanent Representative (CPR) and... READ MORE

Questions Loom for TPP Timing as Rhetoric Escalates on US Campaign Trail

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 12, 2016

Two months ahead of the nominating conventions for the US’ main political parties, the remaining presidential contenders continue to escalate their rhetoric on t... READ MORE

FDI key to the future of South Asian regional integration

by EAST ASIA FORUM

May 11, 2016

Recent decades have witnessed a growing trend towards regional economic integration. As of February 2016, some 625 notifications of regional trade agreements had been rec... READ MORE

EU-India could explore "less ambitious" FTA says top member of European Parliament

by THE ECONOMICS TIMES

May 5, 2016

With the India-EU FTA negotiations deadlocked, a top European Parliament member has said the two sides could explore the option of a "less ambitious" trade pact and indic... READ MORE

Japan, EU leaders agree to accelerate free trade talks

by THE JAPAN TIMES

May 4, 2016

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and European Union leaders have agreed to expedite negotiations for a free trade deal and reach a broad accord by the end of the year, Japanese... READ MORE

Reality Check: Is £250bn of trade at risk from Brexit?

by BBC

May 4, 2016

The claim: Leaving the EU would put £250bn of trade at risk, according to Britain Stronger in Europe. Reality Check verdict: The group has taken a set of figures predicti... READ MORE

EU, US Negotiators Push for 2016 Deal, Though "TTIP Light" Not an Option

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2016

Negotiators for an EU-US trade and investment deal concluded their thirteenth round of talks on Friday, with both sides reiterating their wishes to conclude an agreeme... READ MORE

EU, Japan Leaders Call for Trade Talks to Conclude in 2016

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2016

The European Union and Japan should aim to conclude their negotiations for a sweeping free trade deal this year, leaders from both sides said on Tuesday, following hig... READ MORE

NAFTA Tribunal Issues Ruling in Mesa Power-Canada Case

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2016

An investor-state arbitration tribunal under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) recently released its d... READ MORE

Trade takes centre stage at ACP Council of ministers

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

May 4, 2016

Trade issues took centre stage during the 103rd session of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, which... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance trade pact aims to build regional value chains

by PERU REPORTS

May 3, 2016

The Pacific Alliance free trade agreement eliminates member countries’ tariffs on 92% of imports and exports with the aim of developing regional value chains. The free tr... READ MORE

Indonesia-EU free trade talks take big step forward

by BANGKOK POST

April 18, 2016

Indonesia and the European Union (EU) are one step closer to realising a free trade agreement after talks to discuss the scope of documents outlining the items they want... READ MORE

John Key leads delegation to China to talk trade

by RADIO NEW ZEALAND

April 18, 2016

Prime Minister John Key and two of his senior ministers will be pushing for greater trade access to China during an official visit there this week. While two-way trade ha... READ MORE

EU not to let TTIP weaken food safety standards: agriculture commissioner

by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

April 16, 2016

European Union (EU) agriculture commissioner Phil Hogan ruled out that the bloc will let the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to weaken EU standards... READ MORE

Africa, TPP, and TTIP: Integration or isolation?

by THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

April 14, 2016

With the demise of the Doha Development Round at the World Trade Organization Ministerial in Nairobi this past December, the multilateral approach to global trade negotia... READ MORE

Members renew attempts to deepen WTO scrutiny of regional trade agreements

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

April 8, 2016

WTO members revived this week long-standing talks to deepen the WTO’s scrutiny of regional trade agreements (RTAs) in line with instructions laid out by ministers last De... READ MORE

Conclusion of India-EU talks possible this year: Nirmala Sitharam

by THE ECONOMICS TIMES

April 5, 2016

Government sees a "possibility" of conclusion of free trade pacts with EU as well as EFTA, the four-member grouping that includes Switzerland, this year, Commerce Ministe... READ MORE

East Africa leads the way in regional integration, says Index

by AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

April 5, 2016

The Africa Regional Integration Index (ARII) Report – Africa’s first effort to measure progress on regional integration – was launched Saturday, April 2 in Addis Ababa, E... READ MORE

China, S. Korea, Japan to hold talks on trilateral FTA in Seoul

by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

April 4, 2016

China, South Korea and Japan will hold working-level talks on the trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in Seoul this week, South Korea's trade ministry said on Monday. T... READ MORE

Australia to bring its "largest ever trade mission" to China: minister

by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

April 4, 2016

Representatives from more than 1,000 Australian businesses will be part of Australia's "largest ever trade mission" to China this month, following the signing of the Chin... READ MORE

Australia shows flexibility in services in proposed free trade agreement with India

by THE HINDU

April 3, 2016

Australia has offered to be flexible in the area of services and customs procedures to get an early agreement on the proposed bilateral free trade pact with India. “Canbe... READ MORE

4 Reasons Free Trade Has Become A Contentious Political And Economic Issue

by FORBES

April 3, 2016

Free trade was long virtually the only issue about which all economists agreed. Free trade was good and moving toward freer trade was always better than protectionism. Th... READ MORE

Many Issues Stand in the Way of India, the EU Agreeing on a Free Trade Deal in Brussels

by THE WIRE

March 30, 2016

International trade and foreign investment have come to occupy pivotal roles in international relations today. For India and the EU, this holds true too. Thus, what is li... READ MORE

Canada having more free-trade dialogue with China: minister

by REUTERS CANADA

March 30, 2016

Dialogue with China about a free-trade agreement has increased since Canada's new Liberal government took office late last year, Canada's international trade minister sai... READ MORE

Amb: Peru-Korea FTA ‘successful’

by ANDINA

March 30, 2016

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by South Korea with Peru and Chile were successful and boosted bilateral trade between parties, Korean Ambassador to Peru Keun Ho Jang... READ MORE

EU, US Trade Chiefs Press for TTIP Advances Despite Election, Brexit Dynamic

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 24, 2016

Clinching an ambitious bilateral trade and investment pact in the near term remains a key strategic and economic priority, said the US’ and EU’s top trade... READ MORE

Malcorra reveals free-trade deal talks

by BUENOS AIRES HERALD

March 15, 2016

Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra has revealed the Mercosur regional trade bloc is discussing the possibility of signing a free-trade agreement with the United States, bar... READ MORE

The End of Free Trade?

by THE KOREA HERALD

March 15, 2016

The debate on trade in the U.S. presidential election should concern Korea because trade has come under fire from the left and right. On the left, Vermont Sen. Bernie San... READ MORE

Indonesia, Australia free trade talks set to progress following heightened tensions

by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

March 15, 2016

Indonesian and Australian free trade talks are set to progress this week in a bid to turn around "underdone" business and investment ties following a period of heightened... READ MORE

Suez Canal expansion and infrastructure improvements reposition Egypt as regional trade and logistics hub

by THE WORLDFOLIO

March 13, 2016

Egypt’s vast infrastructure ambitions are most impressively illustrated by the immense Suez Canal expansion that has transformed the vital waterway, while numero... READ MORE

Asia-Pacific Report: Free-trade talks with Japan back on front burner

by THE VANCOUVER SUN

March 13, 2016

A leading Japanese trade policy expert says there may finally be some progress toward a Canada-Japan free-trade agreement after years of inactivity, as both Ottawa and To... READ MORE

Reflections on the WTO Nairobi outcome

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

March 10, 2016

The Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC10) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya was held in circumstances that left many members questioning the future of the WTO. 

&... READ MORE

AIIB to unlock South Asia’s economic potential

by EAST ASIA FORUM

March 9, 2016

South Asia’s economic potential has long been constrained by low levels of economic integration. Despite being closely linked geographically, culturally and historically,... READ MORE

EU looks to downgrade summit with Japan as trade talks stall

by JAPAN TODAY

March 6, 2016

The annual summit between Japan and the European Union could be downgraded to an informal dialogue, as the bloc is frustrated at the slow progress of free-trade talks bet... READ MORE

South Korea, Vietnam ink trade and investment deal

by VIET NAM NEWS

March 5, 2016

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City (ITPC) to fa... READ MORE

Peru FM to attend Pacific Alliance meeting in Mexico

by ANDINA

March 5, 2016

The Executive Branch authorized the trip of Peru’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Maria Sanchez to Mexico City for the Pacific Alliance meetings on 16-18 March, according t... READ MORE

Turkey shows Ukraine benefits of free trade

by KYIV POST

March 5, 2016

Turkey and Ukraine have a lot in common. Both straddle the fault line between East and West. Both are trade transit routes and both have similar geopolitical outlooks. Bu... READ MORE

APEC Senior Officials Drive Quality Growth Amid Headwinds

by ANDINA

March 4, 2016

Senior Officials from the 21 APEC member economies have convened in Lima to develop new measures for delivering higher quality growth. They are intent on improving social... READ MORE

Free trade a concept that remains elusive in Africa

by ZIMBABWE INDEPENDENT

March 4, 2016

Last week we looked at visa openness in Africa and concluded that the continent remains largely closed with its citizens requiring visas to travel to 55% of other African... READ MORE

Indonesian trade minister to visit Australia as both countries prioritise free-trade talks

by SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

March 2, 2016

Indonesian Trade Minister Thomas Lembong will visit Australia this month as both countries prioritise a free-trade deal that had stalled amid diplomatic tensions and a cl... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance technical groups convene in Colombia

by ANDINA

March 2, 2016

The first session of the 23rd round of meetings of technical groups of the Pacific Alliance started on Tuesday featuring government officials of Chile, Colombia, Mexico a... READ MORE

EU, Canada Agree on New Approach to Investment in FTA

by TAX NEWS

March 1, 2016

Canada and the European Union (EU) have agreed to the inclusion in their proposed free trade agreement of a new approach to investment protection and dispute resolution.... READ MORE

TPP keeps the internet’s rules liberal

by EAST ASIA FORUM

February 29, 2016

There has been a good deal of hype touting the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as the first ‘21st century’ trade pact. Whether it lives up to... READ MORE

CFTA negotiators establish their launch pad

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 29, 2016

The first meeting of the Continental Free Trade Area Negotiating Forum (CFTA-NF) laid the groundwork for upcoming substantive negotiations on Africa’s largest fr... READ MORE

Uruguay prepared to lead Mercosur/EU trade negotiations during the whole year

by MERCOPRESS

February 29, 2016

Uruguay which currently holds the Mercosur chair is enthusiastic about advancing the agreement since there is now a clear determination from the four members (Argentina,... READ MORE

PH, EFTA expected to sign free trade deal before June

by THE MANILA TIMES

February 28, 2016

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is optimistic that the Philippines-European Free Trade Association (PH-EFTA) Free Trade Agreement will be sealed before June 20... READ MORE

Free talks with Korea likely to start after June

by THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

February 23, 2016

South Korean Ambassador Dr Song Jong-hwan has voiced the hope that formal negotiations with Pakistan for a free trade agreement will start immediately after June this yea... READ MORE

India likely to review FTAs after WTO's facilitation pact kicks in

by THE ECONOMICS TIMES

February 23, 2016

India may take a re-look at its free trade agreements once the World Trade Organization's trade facilitation agreement (TFA) comes into force. The move follows a meeting... READ MORE

Africa Launches Largest Trading Block With 620 Million Consumers

by ALL AFRICA

February 22, 2016

More than 1,500 public and private business delegates and state leaders agreed on 20-21 February to mobilise massive investments for the implementation of Africa's larges... READ MORE

Mercosur makes EU free trade offer before French visit

by EU BUSINESS

February 22, 2016

South American bloc Mercosur is offering to open up 93 percent of its trade to competition from the European Union to seal a long-sought free-trade deal, Uruguay's presid... READ MORE

Trade, Economic Ties in Focus as US, ASEAN Leaders Meet

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 18, 2016

Regional trade and economic ties were high on the agenda during a two-day summit of US and Southeast Asian leaders in the California resort of Sunnylands, held from 15... READ MORE

NZ - EU FTA would benefit SMEs says McClay

by NEW ZEALAND HERALD

February 16, 2016

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay has been holding meetings about future negotiations with the EU in Brussels. A free trade agreement with the European Union would b... READ MORE

Pacific Alliance to grow 3.1% and 4.5% in 2017-18

by ANDINA

February 13, 2016

The economic bloc comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru or Pacific Alliance is expected to grow 3.1% and 4.5% in 2017 and 2018, respectively, while imports are set... READ MORE

TPP Adds to South Korean Economic Woes

by VOICE OF AMERICA

February 9, 2016

There is growing concern in South Korea that the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) could further hurt the country's economy, which is already experiencing a steep... READ MORE

India-UAE to ink 16 packs; investment, oil and IT top agenda

by THE ECONOMICS TIMES

February 8, 2016

United Arab Emirates leader and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is set to arrive in India on Wednesday along with seven ministers on a visit that i... READ MORE

TPP to help protect brands, lower nontariff barriers

by NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW

February 8, 2016

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a comprehensive free trade agreement spanning parts of the Asia-Pacific, is expected to lower tariffs on food and agricultural products. Th... READ MORE

Trade agreements are in ASEAN’s best interests

by EAST ASIA FORUM

February 6, 2016

At the last Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November 2015, the United States and China advanced their own set of interests with respect to trade agreem... READ MORE

Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal signed in Auckland

by BBC

February 4, 2016

The Trans Pacific Partnership, one of the biggest multinational trade deals ever, has been signed by ministers from its 12 member nations in New Zealand. The ceremony in... READ MORE

After signing, Peru looks to ratify Trans-Pacific Partnership

by PERU REPORTS

February 4, 2016

Peru and 11 other countries including the United States formally signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in New Zealand on Thursday. With 12 member countries whose... READ MORE

APEC Members Slash Tariffs on Environmental Goods, Group Says

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

February 4, 2016

Members of the 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) alliance have released documents detailing progress on implementing their joint pledge to cut applied... READ MORE

Why the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Is More Important Than TPP

by THE DIPLOMAT

January 30, 2016

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) — the former a free trade agreement covering 12 countries from North and... READ MORE

TPP in the Spotlight as February Signing Date Approaches

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 28, 2016

The international debate on the potential merits and pitfalls of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement has ramped up in recent weeks, ahead of the pact’s... READ MORE

The TPP and the Sputtering Global Trade System

by THE DIPLOMAT

January 26, 2016

With the death-knell of the Doha Round seemingly signaled at the recent Nairobi Ministerial, and questions about the relevancy of the WTO intensifying, anyone reflecting... READ MORE

Turks underscore need for signing free trade deal

by THE NATION

January 26, 2016

Members of a delegation from Turkey have underscored the need for signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a view to boost the existing trade ties between Pakistan and Tur... READ MORE

Indonesia to speed up EU CEPA negotiation

by THE JAKARTA POST

January 26, 2016

Indonesia will speed up negotiations on the Indonesia-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to have an agreement with the EU com... READ MORE

Malaysia trade minister calls on parliament to pass TPP bill

by BANGKOK POST

January 26, 2016

Malaysia's trade minister warned Tuesday that the country will lag behind Vietnam if it does not accede to the Trans-Pacific Partnership as parliament began a session to... READ MORE

The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement – Commitments above WTO Level – An Analysis

by MONDAQ

January 26, 2016

The TPP was originally known as the Trans- Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership concluded in 2006 among Singapore, New Zealand, Chile and Brunei (P-4 agreement) as a me... READ MORE

India, Australia miss free trade pact deadline

by THE HINDU

January 21, 2016

Despite missing the deadline set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia’s then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott for December 31, 2015, negotiators are still hopeful that... READ MORE

China, free trade deals boost wine exports

by THE AUSTRALIAN

January 21, 2016

Rocketing Chinese demand and new free trade agreements in Asia have helped lift the value of Australian wine exports to their highest level since before the global financ... READ MORE

Free Trade with Iran

by THE NATION

January 21, 2016

The Premier and Army Chief’s diplomatic trip can be dubbed a success considering Pakistan’s apparent haste to initiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with Iran in the wake... READ MORE

Chinese digital firms can plug into region via Singapore

by THE STRAITS TIMES

January 21, 2016

Singapore can be an effective launch pad for Chinese digital companies to expand into the region, says Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran. He noted yes... READ MORE

Misplaced Trade Deals

by THE NATION

January 20, 2016

Pakistan’s trade policy in recent years seems rather confusing and purposeless, to put it mildly. With the global economy slowing down post 2008 and remaining so till tod... READ MORE

China, Gulf to speed up free trade talks

by WORLD BULLETIN

January 20, 2016

China and the oil-dependent Gulf monarchies said Wednesday they would accelerate talks on a free trade deal which has been under negotiation for more than a decade. The... READ MORE

Japan free trade deal brings benefits to Hunter wine and beef producers

by ABC NEWS

January 20, 2016

Grape-growers in the New South Wales Upper Hunter appear to be reaping the benefits of Australia's free trade agreement with Japan, a year after the deal was finalised. E... READ MORE

TPP will help create jobs and boost global growth

by CNBC

January 19, 2016

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and U.S. President Barack Obama will sit down at the White House to discuss a number of crucial issues from security to the eco... READ MORE

Recovery From Trade Swoon May Be Slow

by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

January 19, 2016

Say goodbye to the golden age of the container ship. Compared with the level of economic growth, global trade is in the midst of its worst slowdown in decades. And even i... READ MORE

Free Trade Agreement with Thailand may not benefit Pakistan

by THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

January 15, 2016

Experts have urged the government to complete its homework before engaging into the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand as, historically, FTAs have failed to usher f... READ MORE

China open to historic free-trade deal with Canada under certain provisos

by THE GLOBE AND MAIL

January 14, 2016

China wants to forge a historic free-trade deal with Canada, but a senior Chinese official said this will require Canadian concessions on investment restrictions and a co... READ MORE

FTA Between India and EU Will Benefit Both Sides: Germany

by THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

January 14, 2016

The proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) will benefit both sides and create jobs, trade opportunities as well as facilitate inves... READ MORE

Obama Renews Call for TPP Ratification in Final State of the Union Speech

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 14, 2016

US President Barack Obama openly called upon domestic lawmakers to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, referring once more to the need for Washington... READ MORE

South Africa, US Settle Poultry Row, Averting AGOA Suspension

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

January 14, 2016

South Africa and the US reached an agreement last week on the technical issues which have been blocking US meat – essentially poultry, pork and beef – impo... READ MORE

McClay ready to make his TPP sales pitch

by NEW ZEALAND HERALD

January 13, 2016

Trade Minister Todd McClay is not an openly combative politician. He yesterday told the Herald he plans to take a painstaking approach to selling the case for the Trans-P... READ MORE

Canada opens its market to Argentine boneless fresh and frozen beef after 13 years

by MERCOPRESS

January 13, 2016

Canada finally made official the opening of its market to Argentine boneless beef, both fresh and frozen. This happens after thirteen years of negotiations, according to... READ MORE

ICBC Singapore signs 10 strategic cooperation agreements for 3rd Sino-Singapore project

by THE STRAITS TIMES

January 11, 2016

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Singapore has entered 10 agreements to boost economic ties between Singapore and China, it said on Monday. The bank is part... READ MORE

Pakistan, Turkey ink MoU for promoting trade and exports

by THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

January 11, 2016

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Radiant Businessmen Forum (RBF) of Turkey with the objective of pr... READ MORE

Pacific Trade Deal Foes Say Keystone Case Shows Pact's Risk

by BLOOMBERG

January 6, 2016

A legal dispute over the Keystone XL oil pipeline is giving opponents of a Pacific trade agreement a fresh argument in their effort to get Congress to kill the pact. They... READ MORE

Mercosur seeks to seal trade deal with EU this year

by BUENOS AIRES HERALD

January 6, 2016

The Mercosur bloc should exchange free-trade offers with the European Union (EU) in the first quarter of the year to move forward with the free trade agreement between bo... READ MORE

The TPP Train Could Still Get Derailed

by FOREIGN POLICY

January 6, 2016

Three months ago, trade negotiators pulled an all-nighter and wrapped up discussions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Atlanta. There was much rejoicing, as it ha... READ MORE

Post-Doha trading system: Five points for African economies to consider

by SOAMIELY ANDRIAMANANJARA

January 6, 2016

The package that came out of the December 2015 World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Nairobi—the first hosted by an African nation—has been hailed as o... READ MORE

ASEAN at court in Sunnylands

by PETER DRYSDALE

January 6, 2016

At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, in November, President Obama reached out to elevate the United States–ASEAN relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’ and invited ASE... READ MORE

Post-Doha trading system: Five points for African economies to consider

by BROOKINGS

January 6, 2016

The package that came out of the December 2015 World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Nairobi—the first hosted by an African nation—has been hailed as o... READ MORE

U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Obama’s Pacific Rim trade pact

by THE WASHINGTON POST

January 6, 2016

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce formally endorsed President Obama's Pacific Rim trade accord Wednesday, becoming the third major business association to support the 12-natio... READ MORE

Foresight Africa 2016: Free trade agreements and the implications for Africa

by MIRAMA SOW

December 31, 2015

Much of the world is entering into mega-regional free trade areas (FTAs). Indeed, October 5, 2015 marked the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the most... READ MORE

China Aims To Sign Trade Agreement With Sri Lanka

by EURASIA REVIEW

December 30, 2015

China aims to have discussions with Sri Lanka next year on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a bid to build stronger trade and investment ties, according to an art... READ MORE

Africa to Export Duty, Quota-Free Cotton

by ALL AFRICA

December 30, 2015

African countries can now export their cotton to developed countries duty-and quota-free as from January 2016 following a global deal sealed in Nairobi at the World Trade... READ MORE

Singapore minister calls for resumption of EU-ASEAN FTA talks

by REUTERS

December 29, 2015

Singapore's trade and industry minister has called for a resumption of free trade talks between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations now that... READ MORE

U.S. Election Debate Complicates Passage of Pacific Trade Pact

by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

December 28, 2015

An international trade agreement embraced by President Barack Obama and the Republican-controlled Congress is drawing fire from many presidential candidates, illustrating... READ MORE

Transatlantic Free Trade?

by PROJECT SYNDICATE

December 28, 2015

This month, the United States National Intelligence Council released a sobering report entitled Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds. Most important, according to the a... READ MORE

Macri's priorities: Mercosur, trade agreement with EU and the Pacific Alliance

by MERCOPRESS

December 23, 2015

In his address to fellow heads of state from Mercosur meeting in Paraguay, Macri called on the bloc, whose founding members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay,... READ MORE

Chile calls for a South American convergence; pledges to bring together Mercosur and Pacific Alliance

by MERCOPRESS

December 22, 2015

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet called for “a convergence among governments” of South America despite the “political and ideological differences&... READ MORE

Mercosur summit agenda includes trade, energy, human rights; Venezuela's Maduro absent

by MERCOPRESS

December 21, 2015

Paraguay foreign minister Eladio Loizaga advanced some of the issues that will addressed on Monday's Mercosur presidential summit, when all of the members of the group's... READ MORE

Japan sets standard as free trade soars

by THE AUSTRALIAN

December 18, 2015

Soaring agribusiness and other exports to Japan will be detailed today by Malcolm Turnbull in a development that will buoy ­industry and the government, reeling from the... READ MORE

Bridges Daily Update # 2 - WTO Negotiating Function Under Scrutiny as Ministerial Begins

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 17, 2015

Trade ministers continued to disagree over the future of the WTO’s negotiating function, as talks for the organisation’s Tenth Ministerial Conference (MC10... READ MORE

The Nairobi Ministerial - Time to Pull the Plug on the Doha Development Round?

by ALL AFRICA

December 17, 2015

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is holding its 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. While a deal promoting the interests of developed countries, known as the... READ MORE

South Africa to open poultry quota Friday

by POLITICO

December 17, 2015

South Africa will open a new tariff-free quota for U.S. poultry on Friday in an effort to avoid a suspension of its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act,... READ MORE

Russia suspends free-trade deal with Ukraine from 2016

by YAHOO NEWS

December 17, 2015

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree suspending Russia's free-trade agreement with Ukraine as of January 1, the same day Kiev is set to enter a similar t... READ MORE

Japan is Pressed by EU to Reach Free-Trade Agreement in 2016

by BLOOMBERG

December 17, 2015

Japan should aim to reach a free-trade agreement with the European Union next year or risk undermining EU interest in a deal, the 28-nation bloc’s chief negotiator warned... READ MORE

Bridges Daily Update #4 - As Clock Runs Down, WTO Nairobi Talks Kick Into Gear

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 17, 2015

Negotiations at the WTO’s ministerial meet have gained pace, sources say, with Thursday’s talks set to run through the night as members search for common g... READ MORE

Ministers approve Afghanistan’s WTO membership at MC10

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 17, 2015

Trade ministers unanimously welcomed Afghanistan’s WTO membership deal, which was approved at a ceremony attended by Mr Mohammad Khan Rahmani of the Islamic Republic of A... READ MORE

Azevêdo welcomes efforts to help implement Trade Facilitation Agreement

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 17, 2015

Director-General Roberto Azevêdo welcomed on 17 December the pledges made by governments and private sector entities to help developing and least-developed countries impl... READ MORE

Bridges Daily Update #3 - Technology Trade Deal Reached at Nairobi WTO Ministerial

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 16, 2015

A group of 53 WTO members negotiating a tariff-cutting agreement on information and communication technology goods reached a final deal in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday... READ MORE

Africa Nations to Consider Cotton Case If Nairobi Talks Fail

by BLOOMBERG

December 16, 2015

African nations are considering presenting a case against governments they accuse of distorting trade in cotton if this week’s negotiations in the Kenyan capital don’t de... READ MORE

IT tariffs slashed in biggest WTO deal since 1996

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 16, 2015

More than 50 members of the World Trade Organisation on Wednesday concluded the biggest tariff-reduction deal in almost two decades, eliminating restrictions on the $1.3t... READ MORE

The WTO’s Nairobi meetings: time to stop the rot

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 16, 2015

The World Trade Organization’s Tenth Ministerial Conference gets under way today in Nairobi – the first time the meetings have been held in Africa. Fourteen years ago, th... READ MORE

WTO Conference Opens in Kenya

by WORLD BULLETIN

December 15, 2015

The first World Trade Organization’s ministerial conference on African soil has begun in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Addressing the 10th ministerial conference Tuesday, K... READ MORE

Hopes fade for Doha trade talks deal as WTO convenes in Kenya

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 15, 2015

Hopes of a breakthrough in the stalled Doha trade negotiations at World Trade Organisation gathering this week have faded after the conference chairwoman rejected calls f... READ MORE

China Free Trade deal has $4bn toll on budget bottom line

by THE AUSTRALIAN

December 15, 2015

The China Free Trade Agreement will be the biggest single policy expense in today’s budget update, costing around $4 billion over the four-year budget period, however it... READ MORE

Regional Trade and Bilateral Trading Agreements: The Case of ASEAN

by DIPLOMATIC COURIER

December 14, 2015

In a global economic system characterized by the multiplication of bilateral trade agreements, regional economic organizations risk losing their traditional rationale and... READ MORE

Kenya offers major push for Bali trade deal ahead of WTO meeting

by SHANGHAI DAILY

December 14, 2015

Kenya has signaled willingness to support the implementation of the 2013 "Bali Package" by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) reached at a previous minister... READ MORE

Nairobi meeting faces questions on WTO’s ability to deliver deals

by LIVE MINT

December 14, 2015

Negotiating officials at the 10th ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) which begins on Tuesday will be hard-pressed to show that the multilateral bod... READ MORE

Challenges of reforming international mobile roaming rates

by THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

December 14, 2015

My ongoing review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, a 6000-page document that remains under Congressional review, previously concluded that its e-co... READ MORE

Bridges Daily Update #1 - Divides Run Deep as Ministers Arrive at Nairobi WTO Meet

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 14, 2015

Trade ministers are arriving in Nairobi, Kenya to begin their latest biennial conference, set to be held from 15-18 December. Whether the WTO meet will indeed be able... READ MORE

WTO Failure to Adapt to Trade Shifts Could Hamper Nairobi Talks

by BLOOMBERG

December 14, 2015

The World Trade Organization could miss an opportunity to advance fairer international trade at its 10th ministerial conference in Kenya this week as it struggles to resp... READ MORE

IDB urges region to step up trade as exports decline

by CARIBBEAN360

December 14, 2015

Exports from Latin America and the Caribbean will drop about 14 per cent in 2015 due to a steep decline in prices and weak demand for the region’s main exports from key t... READ MORE

The United States tries to euthanize the Doha round

by THE WASHINGTON POST

December 14, 2015

One of the truisms of the postwar multilateral trade negotiations is that each “round” of trade talks has been longer than the previous one. The Uruguay round, which led... READ MORE

WTO failure to adapt to trade shifts could hamstring progress at Nairobi talks

by MAIL AND GUARDIAN AFRICA

December 14, 2015

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) could miss an opportunity to advance fairer international trade at its 10th ministerial conference in Kenya this week as it struggles t... READ MORE

Landmark EU-Vietnam Trade Deal Seen as Model for SE Asia

by VOICE OF AMERICA

December 14, 2015

Expect to see more Vietnamese buying Italian machinery and more Austrians wearing sneakers from Vietnam, as the southeast Asian country moves closer to finalizing a trade... READ MORE

Africa's tripartite free trade deal urged to be ratified quickly

by XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

December 14, 2015

A tripartite free trade agreement signed in June by three African regional blocs was urged to be ratified quickly, according to the outcome of a meeting of Council of Min... READ MORE

Kenya to Lead Calls for an End to Subsidies On Agri-Exporter

by ALL AFRICA

December 13, 2015

Kenya is keen on having subsidies on agricultural exports by developed countries removed as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference opens in Nairobi on... READ MORE

'This isn't NAFTA,' U.S. trade representative says about Trans-Pacific Partnership

by LOS ANGELES TIMES

December 13, 2015

After years of negotiations, the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries wrapped up a sweeping trade agreement in October that supporters say will eliminate obst... READ MORE

Hurdles on Indonesia’s road to reform

by EAST ASIA FORUM

December 13, 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, the Indonesian government is trying to convince the jury on two counts — first, that it has turned the corner towards more constructive economic... READ MORE

50 billion reasons to think big on U.S.-Turkish relations

by DAILY NEWS

December 13, 2015

Last weekend’s G-20 summit in Antalya brought together leaders of the world’s largest economies. Although the summit originally aimed to cover global economic growth, sma... READ MORE

We are at the end of the line on the Doha Round of trade talks

by FINANCIAL TIMES

December 13, 2015

This week trade ministers will gather to engage once again in the Doha Round of talks which, for all the initial hopes it represented, simply has not delivered. If global... READ MORE

Kenya votes through new WTO trade agreement

by INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES

December 12, 2015

Kenya has voted through a new Trade Facilitation Agreement with less than a week before it hosts an important high-level World Trade Organisation meeting. The East Afr... READ MORE

ASEAN must 'tap shift to services sector'

by THE STRAITS TIMES

December 12, 2015

To reap the full benefits of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), countries in the region must go beyond liberalising the goods trade and further open up the trade in serv... READ MORE

Battle lines drawn as WTO meet begins in Nairobi

by BUSINESS STANDARD

December 12, 2015

Just two days before the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 10th ministerial conference is set to begin in Nairobi on December 15, India is facing a tough battle ahead. Whi... READ MORE

India, US Need Each Other Economically: Richard Verma

by NDTV

December 12, 2015

India and the US need each other economically and the two countries should help power global economic growth and create economic opportunities and jobs, American Ambassad... READ MORE

Tanzanian rice set become top seller

by EAST AFRICAN BUSINESS WEEK

December 12, 2015

mong the geographically and culturally diverse countries from Khartoum to Cape Town, the two top rice producing countries are Madagascar and Tanzania with 2.5 million ton... READ MORE

India’s fight for farmers, food security at WTO gets UN experts’ backing

by HINDU TIMES

December 12, 2015

Days ahead of the coming Nairobi meet of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for negotiations on a deal to liberalise global trade, United Nations (UN) human rights expert... READ MORE

Visiting CARDI scientists to aid in improving coconut production

by STARBROEK NEWS

December 12, 2015

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) scientists are presently in Guyana networking with stakeholders involved in the European Union (EU)-fina... READ MORE

APEC's New Focus

by THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

December 11, 2015

Strong trade growth has traditionally driven strong growth in the Pacific Rim region, but trade growth has disappointed over the last few years. At the same time, the... READ MORE

WTO Report Finds no Acceleration in Trade Restrictions but Slow Pace for Barrier Removal

by ALL AFRICA

December 11, 2015

WTO members have continued to show some restraint in introducing new trade-restrictive measures and have also adopted a record number of trade facilitation measures durin... READ MORE

Economic reform is crucial to sustain long-term growth in Vietnam

by ECONO TIMES

December 11, 2015

The economy will likely report a solid growth performance of 6.6% for this year. But to sustain the sanguine economic outlook in the long-term, reforms will be crucial. I... READ MORE

Trina Exits EU Pricing Program as Solar Import Duties Extended

by BLOOMBERG

December 11, 2015

Trina Solar Ltd., the world’s biggest solar manufacturer, is withdrawing from a voluntary program to sell panels in the European Union above a fixed minimum price that th... READ MORE

Stuck between major trade deals

by BANGKOK POST

December 11, 2015

The global trade system of the future will be determined by two mega-bilateral deals, the Transpacific Trade Partnership (TPP), for which negotiations have basically been... READ MORE

"Rules" outcomes on fisheries, trade remedies remain elusive ahead of Nairobi ministerial

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 10, 2015

The past year has seen a resurgence of activity in the WTO's rules negotiations, as various members of the global trade body revived debates on how to boost discip... READ MORE

WTO Ministerial: A Time for Reflection in Nairobi on the Future of Global Trade

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 10, 2015

Within a matter of days, trade ministers will gather together in the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi for the WTO's Tenth Ministerial Conference, marking the first t... READ MORE

From Bali to Nairobi: Securing a meaningful outcome for LDCs

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 10, 2015

As trade delegates gear up for the WTO’s Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya – the first such meeting to ever be held in Africa – expectat... READ MORE

Kenya Ratifies Trade Facilitation Agreement in Advance of Nairobi Ministerial Conference

by ALL AFRICA

December 10, 2015

Kenya has ratified the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), less than a week before it hosts an important high-level WTO trade meeting. The WTO Secretariat received Ke... READ MORE

Prime Targets: 5 Top Trade Deals to Boost Financial Services

by CANADA NEWS WIRE

December 10, 2015

Canada should focus on five priority trade deals to open markets and benefit its financial services sector, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. In "Open... READ MORE

How Customs, DSS, Quarantine hinders trade facilitation

by VANGUARD

December 10, 2015

A Customs broker and chieftain of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Joe Sanni, has accused the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Department of State Service... READ MORE

Bag a bargain: China to cut import duties on luxury items including foreign-made bags and garments

by SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

December 10, 2015

Beijing will cut import duties on more consumer products such as suitcases and sunglasses from January to boost domestic demand, following a similar move last year. The t... READ MORE

Incoming Foreign minister Malcorra: FTAA is not a dirty word

by BUENOS AIRES HERALD

December 9, 2015

Incoming Foreign minister Susana Malcorra suggested yesterday president-elect Mauricio Macri's administration would not be averse to participating in a revived Free Trade... READ MORE

Bigger free trade agreements for the Philippines: RCEP and TPP

by BUSINESS WORLD ONLINE

December 9, 2015

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) will take shape by Dec. 31. The 10 ASEAN member states will be more integrated regionally to b... READ MORE

Lawmakers strike deal on key trade legislation

by THE HILL

December 9, 2015

House and Senate lawmakers on Wednesday announced a deal that would bolster U.S. customs enforcement, among the key trade items on President Obama’s legislative agenda. A... READ MORE

The WTO’s Nairobi talks and the multi-billion dollar trade agreement you’ve never heard of

by THE CONVERSATION

December 9, 2015

In less than a week trade ministers from across the globe will come together at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Nairobi, Kenya. T... READ MORE

West Africa: FAJ Challenges Gambia Repressive Media Laws in Ecowas Court

by ALL AFRICA

December 9, 2015

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the African Group of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has filed a legal claim before the Court of the Econo... READ MORE

Environmental goods agreement trade talks stall ahead of Nairobi ministerial

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 9, 2015

A bid to seal the product list for a tariff-liberalising “Environmental Goods Agreement” (EGA) among a group of 17 WTO members ran into difficulties during... READ MORE

Fiji considers pulling out from Pacer Plus agreement

by FIJI BROADCASTING CORPORATION

December 8, 2015

Fiji may consider pulling out from the Pacific Agreement for Closer Economic Relations, or PACER plus, which offers Pacific Island Forum countries benefit from enhanced r... READ MORE

What’s Next for the U.S. Export-Import Bank?

by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

December 8, 2015

President Barack Obama signed legislation on Friday that reauthorizes the U.S. Export-Import Bank for four more years. Fred Hochberg, the chairman of the agency, which fi... READ MORE

Canada and Mexico win trade ruling over US livestock law

by BBC

December 7, 2015

Canada and Mexico have won a trade victory over US law requiring country of origin labelling on beef and pork.The World Trade Organisation ruled the policy violated the N... READ MORE

DG Azevêdo urges flexibility and political will for a successful Ministerial Conference

by WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)

December 7, 2015

In his report to the General Council on 7 December about the potential outcomes of the Nairobi Ministerial Conference, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo urged WTO members... READ MORE

International Aviation: an opportunity for growth and jobs in the EU aviation sector

by EUROPEAN COMMISSION

December 7, 2015

Today, the European Commission has adopted an ambitious package of proposals to negotiate EU-level comprehensive aviation agreements with key partner countries. They incl... READ MORE

European Commission extends ‘unfair’ import tariff on Chinese solar panels

by POLITICS.CO.UK

December 7, 2015

The European Commission over the weekend extended its punitive import tariffs and price controls on solar panels from China which were originally due to expire today, Mon... READ MORE

Trade between Korea, Latin America Showing Annual 17% Growth on Average

by BUSINESS KOREA

December 7, 2015

It has been found that the volume of trade between Korea and Latin America has grown at an annual average of 17 percent since 1990 with Korea purchasing a variety of prod... READ MORE

National convention against higher education offer to WTO-GATS

by THE TIMES OF INDIA

December 5, 2015

The All India Students' Association is organising a national convention on higher education on December 8 and 9. The convention — leading up to the World Trade Organisati... READ MORE

Vietnam, European Union Ink New Free Trade Pact

by THE DIPLOMAT

December 4, 2015

Vietnam and the European Union inked a new free trade agreement Tuesday in a move both sides hailed as a boost for ties as well as the EU’s relationship with Sou... READ MORE

TISA: Local leaders call for transparency and social standards in services

by EU NEWS

December 4, 2015

The European Committee of the Regions' plenary session adopted on 4th December an opinion on the local and regional perspective of the multilateral Trade in Services Agre... READ MORE

Crunch Time in Geneva as Trade Negotiators Prepare for WTO Ministerial

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 3, 2015

Less than two weeks remain before trade ministers begin their biennial conference in Nairobi, Kenya, with WTO members still deeply divided on specific deliverables and... READ MORE

E.U., Vietnam complete trade negotiations

by WORLD GRAIN

December 3, 2015

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguy?n T?n D?ng announced on Dec. 3 that they had officially concluded negotiation... READ MORE

China Invited to Join IMF Currency Basket

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 3, 2015

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed on Monday 30 November that it would be inviting China to join the other four currencies included... READ MORE

The WTO turns 20, but will it make it to 30?

by E15 INITIATIVE

December 1, 2015

The recently agreed upon but not yet signed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which will cover 12 countries and 40 percent of global GDP, is certain to loom large as the W... READ MORE

The WTO Government Procurement Agreement: Assessing the scope for green procurement

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

December 1, 2015

The WTO's revised General Procurement Agreement (GPA) covers government purchasing of goods, services, and construction work valued at US$1.7 trillion annually. Th... READ MORE

What Did the 10th East Asia Summit Accomplish?

by THE DIPLOMAT

December 1, 2015

On November 22, Malaysia hosted the 10th East Asia Summit (EAS) as part of the recent round of Asian summitry held in Kuala Lumpur. The EAS, which comprises the ten membe... READ MORE

EU to use its Chairmanship of TISA Talks on Services

by EIN NEWS

November 30, 2015

The EU is to use its chairmanship of the latest round of negotiations for an international agreement on trade in services (TiSA) to push for significant progress on key c... READ MORE

Draft Decision Agreed on "Non-violation" Cases in Intellectual Property

by ALL AFRICA

November 30, 2015

WTO members meeting as the TRIPS (trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights) Council agreed on 23 November on a draft ministerial decision on so-called non-vi... READ MORE

Challenges of reforming international mobile roaming rates

by THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

November 30, 2015

My ongoing review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, a 6000-page document that remains under Congressional review, previously concluded that its e-co... READ MORE

The I.M.F.'s Tool, and What It Means for Trade

by THE NEW YORK TIMES

November 30, 2015

The United States dollar was once the standard reserve currency for the International Monetary Fund. But in the 1960s and early ’70s, as the Vietnam War dragged on and th... READ MORE

ACP critical of EU blacklisting regional states

by THE DAILY OBSERVER

November 27, 2015

Secretary General of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), Dr. Patrick Gomes, says moves by the European Union (EU) countries to “attack” the financial services in the... READ MORE

Negotiator says EU would remove auto tariffs if Japan opens farm market

by THE JAPAN TIMES

November 26, 2015

The European Union will abolish its tariffs on automobiles only if Japan liberalizes its agricultural sector under a free trade agreement currently being negotiated, EU T... READ MORE

TPP or FTAAP: What It Means for US and the Asia-Pacific Region

by CHINA US FOCUS

November 25, 2015

Although not a household name like NAFTA, by now most Americans who follow trade issues have heard of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), the trade agreement under negot... READ MORE

IDB lends US$25mn for trade faciliation

by THE GUARDIAN

November 25, 2015

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$25 million loan to T&T; to this country improve its trade facilitation processes, part of an effort to boost an... READ MORE

Asean, China to upgrade trade pact

November 21, 2015

Asean countries and China have agreed to upgrade a 13-year-old agreement to free up trade between the grouping's 10 members and the world's second largest economy.They wi... READ MORE

Afghanistan bid for WTO membership set for approval at Nairobi ministerial

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

November 20, 2015

Afghanistan has now cleared one of the final hurdles for WTO membership, with officials confirming last week that negotiations in the Working Party tasked with that pr... READ MORE

As TPP Leaders Celebrate, China Urges Creation of Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area

by THE DIPLOMAT

November 19, 2015

Chinese President Xi Jinping continued to emphasize regional connectivity – including the completion of a free trade area spanning the entire Asia-Pacific region – at thi... READ MORE

Trinidad to strengthen trade facilitation processes with help from the IDB

by CARIBBEAN360

November 19, 2015

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$25 million loan to Trinidad and Tobago to help the twin-island republic improve its trade facilitation process... READ MORE

How the TPP Could Prevent Currency Manipulation

by THE DIPLOMAT

November 18, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) did not deliver strong disciplines against unfair currency practices because other countries would not have signed on to a TPP with su... READ MORE

EU-Japan FTA: Why negotiations are far from over

by EURACTIV

November 18, 2015

Hopes that the three year-old negotiations between the EU and Japan towards a free trade agreement could be finalised by the end of this year are fading. Tokyo is now in... READ MORE

EU-Ukraine free trade 'set for 2016' - President Poroshenko

by BBC

November 17, 2015

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says the EU has confirmed that an EU-Ukrainian free trade zone will be launched on 1 January. The deal was supposed to take ef... READ MORE

China, Japan, Korea Continue Push For FTA, RCEP

by TAX NEWS

November 2, 2015

South Korea, Japan, and China held the 10th Trilateral Economic Trade Ministers' Meeting on October 30 in Seoul and agreed to accelerate talks aimed at establishing a tri... READ MORE

TPP as inspiration for the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi?

by E15 INITIATIVE

November 1, 2015

At the beginning of October, 12 Pacific Rim countries agreed on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The TPP agreement has been hailed as a landmark trade pact,... READ MORE

Will Canada's new Liberal government move closer to Asia?

by NIKKEI ASIAN REVIEW

October 21, 2015

The results of Canada's Oct. 20 federal election, which saw the Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau return to power with a majority government after almost a decade in opp... READ MORE

Amendments to Common External Tariff to benefit Jamaica

by JAMAICA OBSERVER

October 2, 2015

Jamaica is expected to benefit significantly from amendments to Article 83 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, pertaining to the Common External Tariff (CET). The amend... READ MORE

Why the TPP is the linchpin of the Asia rebalance

by THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

July 28, 2015

This week, twelve trade ministers meet in Hawaii to try to complete negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. If they succeed, there will be substant... READ MORE

The way ahead for the EU-Cariforum Economic Partnership Agreement

by EUROPEAN COMMISSION

July 15, 2015

Their aim is to take stock of the first five years of the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and plan the next phase of cooperation. The Commissioner highl... READ MORE

The Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement: A milestone for Africa’s regional integration process

by INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICTSD)

June 23, 2015

The Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement (TFTA), bringing together member and partner states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East Af... READ MORE

The currency union effect on trade: Redux

by VOX

June 15, 2015

The Economic and Monetary Union in Europe has recently been the source of a lot of pain. Its economic benefits often seem a lot harder to measure. This column reconsider... READ MORE

Will the TPP Help Latin America?

by PROJECT SYNDICATE

May 1, 2015

With the International Monetary Fund having just cut its forecasts for economic growth in Latin America for the fifth year in a row, the region’s countries are casting ab... READ MORE

U.S., Honduras Sign Agreement to Promote Agricultural Development and Trade

by USDA

April 29, 2015

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden and Honduras Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Jacobo Paz today signed an agreement to support agricultural development an... READ MORE

India-Pakistan: The Curious Case of the MFN Status

by THE DIPLOMAT

February 14, 2015

For many years, Pakistan has been struggling with the idea of granting MFN status to India. In 2011, at least, it seemed that dialogue between the two countries was deliv... READ MORE