The success of the Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) process in advancing transparency in the investment policy-making at the international level provides a practical and achievable framework for other areas on trade. Though far from perfect, the Model BIT has…
On Sunday, the United States and Thailand announced during President Obama’s visit to Thailand that the two countries will “convene the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Joint Council, which serves as a foundation for economic cooperation in this partnership……
We, the undersigned civil society groups, urge Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to suspend any announcement to enter into negotiations towards the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) until there has been a comprehensive, clear and thorough study of both positive and negative consequences,…
Though the European Parliament voted down the Anti-Counterfieiting Trade Agreement in the face of widespread opposition, the European Court of Justice is still tasked with determining whether the treaty is compatible with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European…
The Bangkok Post reports that Thailand has agreed to enter the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations, a development that will be formally announced on Sunday during a U.S. Presidential visit by Obama on Sunday. Thailand has existing FTAs with Australia…
The latest example of the serious threats of U.S. free trade agreement implementation to balanced intellectual property systems in developing countries was announced by USTR today. In an exchange of letters, the U.S. has blessed the implementation of Panama’s FTA…
On October 16, the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property held the event “IP, Trade and Development,” with speakers from academia, the government, the biotech industry, and DC-based nonprofits. My notes are below. The webcast, presentations, and participant bios…
A leaked text of the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement, and an email sent from the Secretariat of the Council of the European Union to the Member States and the Commission, are fueling concern about the agreement’s intellectual property provisions. The…
Today, Canada announced it has formally joined the TPP negotiations. (Press release). Yesterday, Mexico announced it had formally joined the TPP negotiations and will hold an intercessional on Nov 12-15. (Press release) Last week, Barbara Weisel, head of the Trans…
[Originally posted on laquadrature.net by Jeremie Zimmerman (CC-BY-SA)] Ahead of the next round of negotiations of CETA, the Canada/EU Trade Agreement[1], La Quadrature du Net publishes its dedicated web-dossier. The citizen organization urges the Members of the European Parliament to…
UPDATE: On Monday, Oct 8, Mexico announced that it had formally joined the TPP negotiatios, and that it will host an intersessional meeting in November. [Press Release] Today Barbara Weisel, head of the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations for USTR, held…
Health advocates have asked the EU not to include data exclusivity requirements in the “Deeply Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement” that is being negotiated between the EU and Moldova. Article 9 of the agreement is rumored to contain an obligation for…