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  1. Negotiations

:: 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

Trade politics in flux: what social movement responses?
29-Jun-2017     bilaterals.org
Instead of settling for more “inclusive” brands of capitalism, we ought to reclaim and build a clear and radical political and economic vision.
Ten principles for trade
12-Jun-2017     Greenpeace
The current global trade and investment regime imposes high social and environmental costs on people and planet.
Towards a people’s charter on trade
6-Jun-2017     Aliran
Free trade agreements have been the battering rams that have been used by the political elite of advanced countries to create a lop-sided economy that favours billionaires.
BRICS in Africa: more of the same? Pacs’ study compares investment treaties between the BRICS and African countries
19-May-2017     PACS
The BRICS Group was born in the century XXI with renewed expectations of changes in the world order through greater participation of the Global South. However, what we have witnessed so far is the consolidation of a new/old unequal world order.
US officials eye next steps on trade with Europe, Japan, NAFTA partners
28-Apr-2017     ICTSD
The past weeks have seen a flurry of trade activity in Washington and beyond, including a trip by US Vice President Mike Pence to Asia; meetings between top American and European trade officials; and an escalation in the US-Canada row over softwood lumber that could have implications for broader trade talks.
Byzantine bilateralism
7-Apr-2017     World Policy Blog
Bilateral commercial negotiations can enable strong countries to dominate weaker ones.
TPP reincarnation
4-Apr-2017     Washington Trade Daily
The Trump Administration plans to use TPP as the “starting point” for a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement and new bilateral deals, according to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
How to understand globalization: not nations, but class
28-Mar-2017     The Real News Network
The question is often posed whether trade and investment is a zero sum game among nations. South Centre Chief Economist Yilmaz Akyuz says he does not think nations are the correct focus here.
U.S. to negotiate ‘new, better’ trade deals with key economies: report
2-Mar-2017     Japan Times
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump will negotiate “new and better trade deals” with “countries in key markets” to provide a freer and fairer deal for American workers and businesses.
Unpacking trade and investment
2-Mar-2017     Rosa Luxembourg
Series of 11 fact booklets about global trade policies.