bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Latest

Thailand not involved in TPP talks
26-Apr-2013     Bangkok Post
A misleading web page promoting the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade negotiations indicates that Thailand is participating, when in fact Bangkok is staying away from the TPP at this point.
Five reasons Canada should NOT ratify a Canada-EU free trade agreement
26-Apr-2013     Troy Media
There are many reasons why Prime Minister Stephen Harper should walk away from the CETA negotiations. Most relate to the ways that CETA is not about trade at all but about making dubious policy reforms that constrain our economic, social and environmental policy options in the future.
US could waive duties on imports from Burma
26-Apr-2013     Reuters
The United States is reviewing trade relations with Burma in a move that could end import duties on thousands of goods from the Southeast Asian country
Bangladesh keen to sign a “Free Trade Agreement” with Sri Lanka
26-Apr-2013     News 360
Bangladesh says it is ready to start discussions with Sri Lanka to strike a Free Trade Agreement between the two nations to improve two way trade, announced the Island’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
US trade talks should not cover culture, EU says
26-Apr-2013     Reuters
European Union lawmakers have backed French demands to exempt culture from a proposed free-trade pact between Europe and the United States, keeping Paris on side and raising the chances that the talks can start on time.
Thailand: Four sensitive issues studied ahead of FTA talks with EU
26-Apr-2013     The Nation
The sensitive issues for Thailand are: the impact of the EU's plan to end Thailand's eligibility for the Generalised System of Preferences next year; intellectual-property rights; tariff reductions on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes; and dispute-settlement mechanisms between government and private enterprises.
Investors’ IP rights unbound: The danger of investment clauses to access to medicines
25-Apr-2013     Infojustice
Although access to medicines activists have been wise to focus our attention intently on convincing low- and middle-income countries to adopt and use all possible TRIPS-compliant flexibilities and to oppose the TRIPS-plus IP chapters in free trade agreements, we have neglected to interrogate another chapter in free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties that perhaps pose an even greater threat to our collective access to medicines – investment chapters.
Date set for talks on Asia-Pacific free trade zone
25-Apr-2013     DW
China and 15 other Asia-Pacific nations have agreed to launch a first round of talks next month aimed at creating one of the world's largest trading blocs. China is trying to outpace a similar effort by the US.
Brazil admits postponing free trade with Argentina
25-Apr-2013     Folha de S.Paulo
The Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Commerce, Fernando Pimentel, suggested that Brazil could postpone the date the auto parts and automobile free trade agreement between Brazil and Argentina will become effective - the scheduled date is July.
EU lawmakers support free trade deal with US
25-Apr-2013     AP
European Union lawmakers have voted in favor of starting talks on a wide-ranging free trade agreement with the United States.