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17 African countries remain in limbo as US extends AGOA to 2028
22-Jan-2026     Business Day
Seventeen African countries, including Ethiopia, Uganda and Zimbabwe, remain in trade limbo even as the African Union (AU) welcomed the US House of Representatives’ approval of a three-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Mexico, South Korea move closer to bilateral free trade agreement
22-Jan-2026     Mexico Business News
Mexico and South Korea are advancing talks to finalize a bilateral free trade agreement aimed at lowering tariffs and boosting economic cooperation. The renewed momentum follows a high-level parliamentary exchange, with Mexico pledging to support negotiations and facilitate the process.
EU pulls tariff preferences on 87 pc of Indian exports ahead of FTA
22-Jan-2026     Deccan Chronicle
From January 1, 2026, India faces a significant setback in the European Union market as the EU suspends Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) benefits for 87% of its exports. This move means Indian products must now pay full Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs, eliminating the previous 20% average tariff reduction under GSP.
Egypt, South Korea sign joint statement on comprehensive economic partnership agreement
21-Jan-2026     Ahraminfo
Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib and South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yeo Han-koo signed a joint statement on a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries on Sunday.
“The scent of fraud”: the door opens for a new corporate assault on Honduras
21-Jan-2026     FPIF
While the fate of current ISDS claims remains to be seen, similar corporate investments and interests imposed under the narcodictatorship (the period 2009-2022) are sure to proceed with fewer barriers under the 2026-2030 Honduran government.
Can "geopolitical" tariffs be dealt with through trade deals?
21-Jan-2026     International Economic Law and Policy Blog
A big reason for signing a trade agreement is to get certainty on tariff levels, and if the U.S. can raise tariff levels above the bound rate for geopolitical reasons, that certainty is lost to some degree and the trade agreement is much less valuable.
EU sees Mercosur as a source of critical minerals
21-Jan-2026     BNamericas
The European Union recognizes the key role that the free trade agreement with Mercosur, an economic bloc formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, will have for the supply of critical minerals to the European continent.
Brazil sees ripple effect after Mercosur-EU deal; Canada next in line
21-Jan-2026     Valor
Brazil’s government expects that the signing of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will trigger a ripple effect for similar negotiations between the South American bloc and other countries.
Europe seeks deeper trade ties with UAE, Philippines, says Ursula von der Leyen
21-Jan-2026     Gulf News
The European Union is advancing free trade negotiations with the UAE, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told audiences at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
After years of progress, Indonesia risks ‘tragedy’ of a deforestation spike
21-Jan-2026     Mongabay
Indonesia is facing a deforestation crisis that threatens its global environmental achievements, as the rate of forest loss surged again in 2025—reaching the highest level since 2019. Major projects like the Merauke Food Estate, which plans to clear 2 million hectares of forest in South Papua, are at the center of concerns.