UK suspends new FTA negotiations with Israel, to impose sanctions on West Bank settlers
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy announced yesterday, 20 May 2025, that the UK government has suspended negotiations for a new free trade agreement with Israel. This decision was made in response to Israel’s ongoing military actions in
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Bangladesh, US begin negotiations for FTA
Bangladesh and the US have begun discussions on a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a focus on enhancing trade and investment. A Bangladeshi delegation recently met with officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to
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ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand’s revised free trade agreement goes into effect
An upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) agreement came into effect on 21 April 2024. It covers a market of over 703 million people with a combined GDP of more than USD 5.6 trillion. The agreement is expected to enhance
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Thailand, Bhutan sign free trade agreement
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan witnessed the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between their countries. The ceremony took place at the Thai Khu Fah Building, Government
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Bangladesh and Singapore aim to finalise FTA by 2026
Bangladesh and Singapore have agreed to finalise a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2026. The decision was made during the Fourth Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Singapore on Monday, 14 April 2025. During the meeting, both sides discussed
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EFTA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland) and Ukraine sign FTA
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with Ukraine on 8 April 2025. The agreement will contribute to Ukraine’s resilience, recovery
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EFTA-Moldova free trade agreement enters into force in relations between Moldova and Switzerland
The free trade agreement (FTA) between Moldova and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states will take effect in relations between Moldova and Switzerland on 1 April 2025. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), established in 1960,
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EU, Korea (Rep.) finalise digital trade agreement
The EU and Korea (Rep)Â finalised a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to boost online trade and data flows on 10 March 2025. Announced at the 12th Trade Committee meeting, the agreement will now undergo legal review before final
See MoreWTO Working Paper: Evolution of Preferential Trade Under Regional Trade Agreements
A WTO working paper of 7 February 2025, written by Rohini Acharya and Thakur Parajuli has the title The Evolution of Preferential Trade Under Regional Trade Agreements: Has Anything Changed? The paper looks at the question of whether the share of
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European Free Trade Association signs FTA with Kosovo
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Kosovo has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) on 22 January 2025 in Davos, Switzerland. The EFTA-Kosovo Agreement covers trade in goods,
See MoreWTO Working Paper: Continuing Significance of MFN Trading Terms
A WTO working paper of 15 January 2025, written by Tomasz Gonciarz and Thomas Verbeet, has the title Significance of most-favoured-nation terms in global trade: A comprehensive analysis. Under the WTO's MFN trading principle, member countries of
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Korean (Rep.): National Assembly approves FTA with Philippines
Korea’s National Assembly has approved the free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines on 14 November 2024. Earlier, the Philippine Senate ratified the FTA with Korea (Rep.) on 23 September 2024. The FTA was signed by both nations on 7
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EFTA,Thailand conclude negotiations for FTA
Representatives from the EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) Thailand met online to conclude negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA) on 29 November 2024, according to a release. Karin Büchel, Head of the Free
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Armenia approves FTA between EAEU, Iran
Armenia’s President has signed a law for the ratification of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia) and Iran on 27 November 2024. The Armenian National
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Czech Republic, Korea (Rep.) sign MoU on trade and investment promotion framework
Czech Republic and Korea (Rep.) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) on 20 September 2024. The signing of the MoU came after 34 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries,
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Turkey, Maldives sign preferential trade agreement
Turkey and Maldives signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), on 4 November 2024, aiming to strengthen trade relations and enhance economic cooperation between the two nations. The agreement was signed by Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed on
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Korea, UK negotiate enhanced FTA
A release from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea on 11 November 2024, announced that the third round of negotiations for an enhanced free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the UK is taking place in Seoul
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Canada, Ecuador conclude fourth round of FTA negotiations
Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries announced that Ecuador and Canada have successfully concluded their fourth round of negotiations for an FTA on 25 October 2024. This meeting, which took place in person
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