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Better mad cow disease rating could boost US trade talks
31-May-2013     The Hill
American officials and beef producers are reveling in a new safety designation for US cattle and see the change as particularly relevant to ongoing Transpacific trade negotiations.
Witnesses at US trade hearing offer opinions (and warnings) on intellectual property in upcoming negotiations with the EU
31-May-2013     Infojustice
Today the Obama Administration’s inter-agency Trade Policy Staff Committee held the first day of its two-day hearing on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
Do you want a US food safety standard with that chicken?
31-May-2013     IATP
To export agricultural goods, the US also exports food safety standards. The US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative will soon see if the member governments of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations will accept the way US chicken processors butcher the bird.
Slovak assets seized in dispute between state and Achmea
30-May-2013     Slovak Spectator
A Luxembourg court has ordered the sequestration of €29.5 million of assets owned by the Slovak Republic as part of a legal action brought against Slovakia by the Dutch company Achmea.
Consumer groups worry US-EU trade pact will weaken health, privacy regulations
30-May-2013     Euronews
US consumer groups raised concerns on Wednesday about the proposed free trade agreement between the US and the EU, which they said could weaken government health, environmental and food safety regulations and undermine privacy on the Internet.
China to study joining TPP
30-May-2013     Bangkok Post
China said it's studying the possibility of joining the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, a move that comes about a month after the existing 11 members allowed Japan to join the negotiations.
EU, Canada’s differences over financial services holding up free trade pact: documents
30-May-2013     Canadian Press
Canada wants to keep a so-called “prudential carve-out” that would give Canadian regulators leeway to impose demands on European banks in the name of financial stability.
Framework for free-trade by this year: India
30-May-2013     PTI
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, on a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra to outline the framework of a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and elevate bilateral ties into a "strategic partnership".
Venezuela claims ICSID arbitration victory over Panama's OPIC Karimun Oil Company
30-May-2013     Latin American Herald Tribune
Venezuela reported a triumph at the World Bank's International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes in a case brought by Panama's OPIC Karimun Corporation on compensation for losses it sustained when Venezuela nationalized oil fields in 2007.
Fisheries talks raise alarm
30-May-2013     The Telegram
Opposition politicians in Newfoundland and in Ottawa are expressing concern about potential fisheries industry giveaways at the negotiating table on Canada-Europe free trade talks, but the province’s fisheries union said Tuesday that fewer trade barriers would be a good thing.