UK

United Kingdom

Car industry fires a warning over EC free-trade deals
Free-trade agreements with India and Japan could undermine the UK’s automotive industry, which employs 700,000 and accounts for more than 10 per cent of exports, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is warning.
David Cameron wants Japan EU trade deal
The European Union should offer Japan a free trade deal to help it recover from the earthquake and tsunami two weeks ago, UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Wikileaks: UK undecided on EU-Syria Association Agreement
"Before the Gaza crisis, Miliband had been inclined to support the Agreement, Saoul said, on the grounds that the Syria Arab Republic Government (SARG) had generally exhibited good behavior internationally (despite lack of progress on key issues such exchanging ambassadors with Lebanon), and that Syrian FM Muallem needed a deliverable to strengthen him with President Assad."
UK government's consultation on new trade policy: Evidence from The Corner House
In early 2011, the UK government plans to announce a new trade and investment policy for the next five years. To inform this policy, it gathered perspectives at the end of 2010, on “UK trade and investment performance and potential, the role of government on trade issues, the impact of global developments, both economic and otherwise, and the course of UK trade policy.”
Protesters invade British government office over tar sands trade deal
On Friday morning, a group of protesters invaded Britain's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and are demanding a meeting with Stephen Green, the new minister for trade. Calling themselves the "Big Society Trade Negotiators," they are concerned that trade negotiations between the EU and Canada, due to start in Brussels on Monday, will dramatically boost Europe's involvement in the Canadian tar sands -- the most destructive project on earth.
Pan American Energy takes Bolivia to ICSID over nationalization of Chaco Petroleum
Anglo-Argentinean energy firm Pan American Energy has initiated arbitration against Bolivia over the nationalization of its subsidiary Chaco Petroleum by the Morales government in 2009.
Imminent EU-S. Korea trade deal will bring £500m benefit to British business
A new UK government report outlines 100 business opportunities for British firms from the EU-Korea FTA
S.Africa sugar producers hopeful of EU trade deal
Durban-based Illovo Sugar -- Africa's biggest producer, majority-owned by British Sugar -- said it plans to raise output by 50 percent to nearly 3 million tonnes in the next five years to cash in on the new tariff-free EU access.
Lord Mandelson accused of secretly lobbying for Libya during Lockerbie bomber talks
Informed sources say that, nearly a year after Lord Mandelson stepped down as European Trade Commissioner to return to the Cabinet, he has continued to push personally for a new and quick European Union (EU) trade deal with Libya.
The UK tight-lipped over dispute with an Indian investor
The United Kingdom has formally declined to release a notice of arbitration delivered by an Indian citizen under the UK-India bilateral investment treaty, explaining that it would likely “prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and an international organisation; UNCITRAL.”