bilateralism & multilateralism

how bilateral, multilateral, regional, unilateral and plurilateral approaches relate (e.g. FTAs vis-à-vis WTO)

Trade agreements: How African states are resisting pressure from the North but not managing to assert their priorities
African countries are regularly offered Free Trade Agreements by the world’s major economic powers. The balance of power is so unequal that they seem forever condemned to be the big losers.
ECVC rejects free trade narrative of AGRIFISH council and demands market regulation and an end to FTAs to address root causes of farmers’ issues
For farmers on the ground, FTAs and the WTO rules only serve to drive down prices as far as possible, with no regard for the costs to the wellbeing and health of farmers and citizens, nor the impact on climate and biodiversity.
The two faces of free trade
Whereas free trade was once the central cause of progressive reformers seeking to combat entrenched interests on behalf of ordinary people, now it is the bête noire of both right-wing nationalists and the mainstream left. To understand why attitudes changed so radically, one must follow the money.
EAC set to negotiate trade agreements with UK, UAE after EPA flops
At least seven countries have requested free trade arrangements with the East. African Community (EAC), as the bloc also intensifies efforts to expand the markets for its products.
Free Trade Agreements are Failed Trade Agreements. An alternative is now urgent and necessary
La Via Campesina’s Statement and Open call for Endorsement
Farmers’ Protest: Why are farmers demanding India’s withdrawal from WTO?
Farmers started protesting with a new set of demands including India's withdrawal from the World Trade Organization and scrapping all Free Trade Agreements.
Overview of the implications for developing countries/LDCs of the JSI E-commerce text (Revision 5)
Developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) face growing pressure to participate in and adopt the outcomes of plurilateral negotiations on electronic commerce.
US drops digital trade demands at WTO to allow room for stronger tech regulation
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has dropped longstanding US digital trade demands in World Trade Organization talks in order to give Congress room to regulate big tech firms.
Global dispute settlement, India and appellate review
Since India’s quest has been to establish a rule-based global order, its support for an appellate review will ensure more state and investor confidence in international investment law.
Call to action: 10 September 2023 – International day of action against the WTO and free trade agreements
It has been twenty years since the World Trade Organization’s imperialist, neoliberal and neo-colonial free trade policies led to the sacrifice of one of our peasant leaders at the gates of the Ministerial meeting venue in Cancun, Mexico.