ISDS Case Map
China
China pushes to upgrade Switzerland trade deal, expanding ties into services and digital economy.
The world’s second-largest economy is pushing for “collective action” to realize the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), a long-stalled proposal that would encompass all 21 member economies of the APEC bloc.
Kenya has finalized negotiations over a new trade deal with China, President William Ruto stated last Wednesday. According to Reuters, the news comes some two months after a preliminary agreement was announced that would grant Kenya duty-free access to the Chinese market for approximately 98 percent of its exports.
South Korea and China are set to hold a fresh round of follow-up negotiations on service and investment under their bilateral free trade agreement.
If the BRI’s pivot toward overseas manufacturing and cleantech represents the “hardware” of China’s economic statecraft, then its proliferating network of free trade agreements and related pacts provides the essential “software.”
Both China and Congo have completed their respective domestic ratification procedures, and the early acceptance arrangement will officially take effect on April 1, 2026.
The grant comes as Seychelles prepares to benefit from China’s zero‑tariff policy for African countries, with negotiations on the “early harvest arrangement” for a bilateral free trade agreement now completed between the two countries.
The tariff increases – made in part to appease demands from Washington – have been designated a breach of trade rules by Beijing.
Kenya has finalised negotiations over a trade deal with China, two months after announcing a preliminary agreement that would grant the East African country duty-free access to the Chinese market.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced the 100% tariff-free trade agreement between China and Africa will come into effect from 1 May. The deal excludes Eswatini, the only African country maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
