Globalization first became a bedrock of our vocabulary in the 1990s in the aftermath of the Cold War. Proponents of globalization then argued that everything would change – and for the better. There would…
Despite assurances from Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb, the TPP could negatively affect Australian health policy.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The latest part of the TPP to be leaked is its investment chapter. And like almost everything we know about the secretive negotiations for the agreement, it provides plenty of cause for concern.
A trade spat between India and the US was the most serious threat to the WTO in years.
Reuters
Despite sluggishness in the world economy, global trade reached an astonishing US$23 trillion last year. The World Trade Organization has been the primary guarantor of this extraordinary growth in global…
A green trade deal would encourage the development of renewable energy in big carbon emitters such as China.
Kaj17/Flickr
Ten years on from the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, Australia is entering another round of negotiations towards the new and controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership. In this Free Trade Scorecard series…
Australia’s approach to trade policy is more thoughtful and calculating than it is given credit for by sections of the media, academia and the public who object to current negotiations.
AAP/Newzulu/Jeff Tan
Ten years on from the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, Australia is entering another round of negotiations towards the new and controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership. This is the first article in the…
The WTO negotiations have been plagued with irreconcilable differences from the start.
Made Nagi/AAP
The WTO Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Bali almost failed. By negotiating for one day beyond the scheduled conference time, 159 exhausted nations finally concluded an agreement. What’s at stake are…
New rules on hoarding will help fight hunger in India.
rajkumar1220
The recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Bali concluded on Saturday morning with an agreement on what is being termed the “Bali package”. So it seems there is still life in the WTO yet. Director…
Politicians from around the world are gathering in Bali for the ninth World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting. The atmosphere is likely to be a far cry from that of the big meetings in the late…
What is the best trade option for Australia’s future?
AAP/Alex Ibanez
One of the first acts of Tony Abbott’s government was to declare it intended to “embrace free trade” in its first term in office. Calling the trade minister Australia’s “ambassador for jobs”, the Coalition…
Australia has embraced clean technology, but if we want to make a big difference we should free up clean tech trade.
Espen Klem
John Mathews, Macquarie Graduate School of Management
In 2014, Australia will host the G20 Summit. The Prime Minister’s Office has been canvassing privately for a Big Idea to present, something to take the green debate forward and put Australia’s stamp on…
The tobacco industry has stated publicly that it’s helping countries bring claims against Australia’s tobacco plain packaging law.
LUKAS COCH/AAP
Earlier this month, Cuba became the fourth country to challenge Australia’s plain tobacco packaging law by requesting consultations with Australia through the World Trade Organization (WTO). Tobacco companies…
The government has launched several inquiries into patent law and pharmaceutical drugs.
Daniel Weir
It takes a lot of bravery for governments to stand up to big business. But the Gillard government has shown a lot of guts during its tenure. It stood up to Big Tobacco in the battle over plain packaging…
Drug prices reduce dramatically when large multinationals’ monopoly is broken.
m.p.3./Flickr
Two large multinational pharmaceutical companies are fighting for patents and monopoly pricing in Indian courts. The outcomes of the cases – involving Novartis and Bayer – are likely to determine the country’s…