bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Across the board

This section contains news and analysis of sweeping developments that affect the overall push and pull towards FTAs and bilateral investment treaties. This means major trends relating to bilateralism, often with global consequences, and other cross-cutting issues. New developments arising from US politics, the WTO or South-South alliance-building, for instance, are often reported here as they tend to have systemic impacts.

last update: May 2012

“You dropping BRICS from above? We’re throwing bricks from below!”
28-Jun-2018     Pambazuka
Social movements resisting the policies and agendas of Brazil-Russia-India-China-SouthAfrica elites will make their voices heard during the BRICS summit in Johannesburg on 22-27 July.
A globalisation for people, not business
5-Jun-2018     Social Europe
Globalisation is in crisis because of its almost totalitarian outreach to all areas of everyday life. People feel a loss of control, because their way of life is perceived as subject to trade requests solely for the benefit of globally acting firms.
Trump’s new tariffs have effectively killed TTIP and may collapse NAFTA
1-Jun-2018     Eurasia Future
China’s preferred model of free trade has already won a favoured position in developing countries vis-a-vis the US model.
September 10 | International day against WTO and free trade agreements
22-May-2018     La Via Campesina
In memory of farmer Lee and the continuing struggles of peasants in resisting the neo-liberal agenda of WTO, La Via Campesina marks September 10 as the International Day Against WTO and Free Trade Agreements.
Setting course for sustainable trade – a new trade agenda that serves people and the environment
11-Apr-2018     Friends of the Earth Europe
We urgently need a new trade regime which can help address global challenges and tackle problems like accelerating climate change, a broken agricultural model and loss of trust in democratic processes.
2018 national trade estimate report on foreign trade barriers
5-Apr-2018     Office of the US Trade Representative
The report highlights significant foreign barriers to US exports.
How free trade hypocrisies are hurting our world
4-Apr-2018     Greenpeace
Rich countries have made our current trade rules and made sure that these rules suit their needs, providing few means for people in poor countries to protect themselves from aggressive export policies.
Turkey, Somalia sign Economic Partnership Agreement
15-Jan-2018     Somali Update
Last week, Turkey and Somalia signed economic partnership agreement.The countries also came to an understanding on fishing and fisheries. Under this, Turkish fishermen will be able to fish in Somalia's territorial waters.
Globalisation: time to look at historic mistakes to plot the future
13-Dec-2017     The Guardian
Trade deals were hammered out in secret by multinationals at the expense of workers and citizens. Benefits must be shared if the global economy is to work.
ITUC emergency resolution on MC11 disaccreditation
1-Dec-2017     ITUC
The ITUC General Council adopted an emergency resolution strongly condemning Argentina's decision to deny accreditation to more than 60 civil society representatives to the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference.