:: 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

Economy for life in our Earth community

20-Dec-2013 Focus

This living document is a result of an extensive process led by the Social Movements for an Alternative Asia (SMAA), Gerak Lawan, La Via Campesina and the supporters of the #EndWTO Campaign.

Debate over proposed global trade agreements

19-Dec-2013 Diane Rehm Show

The pros and cons of two trade agreements in the works, TPP and TTIP, from a US perspective.

'Free trade' and the death of democracy

18-Dec-2013 Al Jazeera

If these deals come into effect, multinational corporations will be empowered to regulate democratic states, rather than the other way around.

US Congress could OK trade promotion bill in early 2014, lawmaker says

11-Dec-2013 Reuters

he Obama administration could secure "fast-track" trade promotion authority from Congress early next year, a leading lawmaker said on Tuesday, handing it the means to secure two big new trade deals.

Vatican criticises TTP and TTIP

5-Dec-2013 KEI

At the WTO 9th Ministerial in Bali, Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi delivered a withering critique of the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

The alternative trade mandate

26-Nov-2013 TNI

The Alternative Trade Mandate has been developed in extensive civil society consultations all over Europe.

Developing countries are right to resist restrictive trade agreements

13-Nov-2013 The Guardian

International investment agreements are once again in the news. The United States is trying to impose a strong investment pact within the two big so-called "partnership" agreements, one bridging the Atlantic, the other the Pacific, that are now being negotiated. But there is growing opposition to such moves, writes Joseph Stiglitz.

Call to end the WTO and stop the new wave of Free Trade Agreements

23-Oct-2013

More than 90 organizations and social movements are part of the Call to End the WTO and Stop the new wave of Free Trade Agreements. Join us in the EndWTO Bali Week of Action! Sign the call and register.

Does TTIP top TPP free-trade negotiations?

23-Sep-2013 Business Mirror

The transatlantic trade deal, if it does come about, seems potentially more far-reaching, even for Asia.

Fast-track: Enabler of the “free trade” agenda

28-Aug-2013 New American

“I have heard the argument that transparency would undermine the administration’s policy to complete the trade agreement because public opposition would be significant,” a US senator wrote. “This argument is exactly backwards. If transparency would lead to widespread opposition to a trade agreement, then that trade agreement should not be the policy of the United States.”

:: Across the board ::

Referenced sites

21st Century Trade Agreements: Implications for Long-Run Development Policy

#A18DoA - Global day of action to defeat free trade and investment treaties

Alianza Social Continental

ICC

Movimientos.org

Pambazuka

People over profit

Peoples Global Action

Regional/Multilateral Integration Agreements

SOMO

South Centre

Stop fast track!

ISDS Case Map