free trade agreements

MNCs in the News-2015-08-28

China dials up new leadership at its telecommunications giants. Tsinghua Unigroup attempts to chip away at opposition to its purchase of Micron Technology. China investors see stable investment returns on offer in the UK. China’s Yunnan province pushes infrastructure construction to support the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) and other initiatives. Alibaba given 6-month extension to operate in Taiwan while Taiwan appellate body review its case. Japan strives to strengthen its medical and pharmaceutical firms. Japan and Mekong River nations adopt “Mekong Industrial Development Vision.” Japan and China competition to build high-speed railway in Indonesia reaches its final stages. Korea touts its advantages and pursues new policies in order to double inward foreign direct investment (FDI). Korea orders recalls of select Ferrari cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and Volvo trucks due to various defects. Toyota puts the brakes on Prius production in Thailand due to tariff dispute. Foreign business leaders in Thailand believe Erawan Shrine bombing will not influence FDI inflows. Investors express complain about the vagueness of Vietnam’s new foreign investment guide.

Dr. Amitendu Palit's picture

New OECD-Emerging Markets Dynamics in regards to Investor-State Dispute Settlement Provisions

Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions are increasingly becoming the bane of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Wary at the prospect of being sued by foreign investors in special tribunals, governments are reacting against such provisions in mega-regionals like the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Pact and the European Union-Canada FTA.