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WTO Members raise concerns over US Section 232 investigation on automobiles and automotive parts

By 3 Mins Read

The WTO announced that Members expressed their concerns over possible measures by the United States regarding extra duties on the import of automobiles, including cars, SUVs, vans, light trucks and automotive parts, at the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) held on 3 and 4 of July. Over 40 members — including the 28 European Union members — took the floor to warn of the “serious disruption” to world markets and the multilateral trading system that may arise as a result of these potential measures, particularly in light of the large proportion of global trade accounted for by these products. The announcement said:

Mexico approves Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

By 1 Min Read

On May 23, 2018, after approval by the Mexican Senate on April 24, 2018, the Diario Oficial de la Federación (Federal Official Gazette) published President Peña’s Decree approving the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Treaty, made in Santiago, Chile on March 8, 2018, as well as the four parallel agreements negotiated in the framework of its subscription.

US – Reconsidering the TPP and impact on intellectual property

By 4 Mins Read

In April, President Trump indicated that his administration would reconsider the US re-joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), after withdrawing from it last year.

Following the United States’ withdrawal from the treaty, the remaining 11 signatory states, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam nevertheless proceeded to negotiate a new trade agreement which is now finalised and referred to as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

TPP-11 countries agree to a revised agreement without the US

By 1 Min Read

On January 23, 2018, the Canadian Prime Minister announced that the 11 countries still committed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, now renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), have agreed to an agreement after talks in Japan this week. Trade ministers will attend a signing ceremony in Chile in March.  Details will be announced shortly.  Certain provisions will be suspended for now with the thought that a future US administration might join the…

CPTPP: Making Trade Great Again but Concerns Linger

By 6 Mins Read

At the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (“APEC“) Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, the 11 remaining countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (“TPP11“) took a significant step forward to finalize a new agreement now referred to as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (“CPTPP“).  Media reports were mixed as some outlets reported that there was an agreement in principle while others reported that Canada was not ready to sign on.  However, the end result is an impressive draft agreement in principle on most of the existing terms with some key exceptions and a few remaining issues from Canada’s perspective.  To its credit, Japan has been leading the effort to move forward with the CPTPP in hopes of the United States rejoining the agreement at some point in the future.