Japanese and European Union negotiators meeting in Tokyo aim to reach a free trade deal that would stand against a protectionist tide threatening the global economy, and make the United States think twice over pursuing inward-looking policies.

A free trade agreement for Norwegian seafood in Japan may be on the horizon, and would alone account for over NOK 200 million ($30.4m) in annual duty savings, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) said in a release.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) government is committed to seeking membership for the country in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and playing its part in bringing the trade agreement into force for the benefit of the fastest-growing region of the world economy, Premier Lin Chuan said June 23.

Physical ‘chokepoints’ along trade routes are critical to global food security. The importance of these chokepoints and the risks of closure or disruption are increasing, but such risks and their potential impact remain largely overlooked.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary and the cabinet’s spokesman, said Monday that he welcomed various countries and areas, including Taiwan, to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Africa has moved an inch closer to realising the dream of a continent with a free trade area despite persisting stumbling blocks, if the third African ministers of trade meeting held in Niger last week is to be scrutinised.

Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ worked with the World Bank on Monday to discuss trade facilitation, logistics development and the national single window mechanism.

UK Brexit Secretary David Davis has said that he is not completely sure whether the country will secure a free trade agreement with the EU.

PM Shinzo Abe concerned about impact on Japanese firms with UK operations if Britain leaves the single market

The 11th Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 10–13, 2017. After years of languishing while other “free trade” agreements were negotiated, big business has turned its focus back to the WTO, particularly among the high-tech sector that now includes five of the seven largest corporations globally. They are determined to achieve in WTO what they have yet to secure in any other deal: new rules that will lock in profit-making opportunities in the digitalized economy of the future. The prize they seek in Argentina is a mandate for new negotiations under the rubric of “e-commerce,” but the reality is that these new rules will further constrain the ability of governments to promote prosperity and reduce inequality, even as they suffer the political consequences of the revolts of communities that have been left behind.