Take action: No TPP in RCEP
RCEP negotiations are on again this week in Hyderabad, India.
Send a message to Trade Minister Steve Ciobo urging him not to use the failed TPP as a model for the RCEP.
Protests at RCEP negotiations in Hyderabad
Hundreds marched in the streets of Hyderabad on 24 July 2017 protesting RCEP negotiations, which include proposals for deregulation of services, stronger monopolies on medicines and seeds, and allowing corporations to sue governments. There was also a flash protest at the negotiating venue.
Short video on negative RCEP impacts in India
July 24, 2017: As RCEP talks and protests take place in Hyderabad, this video shows the negative impacts of the RCEP corporate agenda on Indian farmers, and on regional access to medicines and essential services.
Battle over digital economy at RCEP
July 21, 2017 There are proposals in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that government regulation should have no compulsory disclosure of source codes, no restriction on transfer and processing of data outside the country, and no requirements for computing facilities to be locally based. These proposals raise questions about the ability of governments to have effective national regulation of data privacy and data security.
Show support for people's protest at RCEP talks in India
Indian media report grave community concerns as RCEP talks open in Hyderabad
July 19, 2017: India is host to the 19th round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at Hyderabad this week and next. But Indian society itself is strongly opposed to draft clauses in the RCEP.
The New Indian Express reported on July 17 the fears of Kiran Vissa of the Raithu Swarajya Vedika, farmers’ organisation.
ISDS is India’s nightmare at RCEP talks
July 18, 2017: Foreign Investor rights to sue governments is a hot button issue at the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) talks underway in Hyderabad, India, on July 17-28, 2017.
India’s Mohdi government wants to be a champion of globalisation and free trade, and India wants more Foreign Direct Investment. But India is hurting from cases already mounting against it.
Philip Morris leaks reveal use of trade deals to undermine tobacco control
July 17, 2017: Leaked Philip Morris documents for the years 2009-2016 reveal its massive effort to neutralise the United Nations Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as Australia’s plain packaging law.
100 US small businesses reject ISDS in NAFTA renegotiation
July 14, 2017: more than 100 small business leaders sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging the President to ensure that the re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other global trade pacts does not allow foreign multinational corporations to attack US laws that protect US communities and the environment.
US wants its own changes to WTO dispute settlement, but downplays WTO
July 12, 2017: US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has told the US Senate Finance Committee on June 21 that he is working to advance each point of President Trump’s trade policy agenda, which includes promoting U.S. sovereignty, enforcing U.S. trade laws, leveraging American economic strength, protecting U.S. intellectual property rights, and reducing America’s persistent trade deficit.