The European Commission said on Tuesday the Philippines’ human rights record could influence future trade ties, but denied reports that it had suspended free trade negotiations with Manila.

Ministers from Japan and ASEAN will push for trade rules with high degrees of freedom for a proposed regional free trade pact.

South Africa’s retailers performed robustly in 2016, despite the country seeing its weakest growth in seven years. This is according to EY’s analysis of the 12 largest retailers in South Africa, which account for nearly R600b in annual sales.

In the afternoon of 10 June 2015, in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the Heads of State and Government signed the agreement establishing the Tripartite FTA and the declaration launching the FTA. Out of 26 countries, 23 signed the declaration and 15 signed the agreement. The following signed the agreement: Angola, Burundi, Congo DR, Egypt, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Swaziland signed the following week to bring the total to 16, followed subsequently by Zambia and Libya bringing the total to 18 by March 2017. Those yet to sign the agreement are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eritrea, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Mozambique.

World trade is on track to expand by 2.4 percent this year, though there is "deep uncertainty" about economic and policy developments, particularly in the United States, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Wednesday.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan welcomes Hungary’s policy to boost the bilateral economic cooperation, including the signing of a framework agreement on a 440 million EUR credit.

The European Union on Friday (7 April) concluded its latest round of trade negotiations with Mexico, focusing on sustainable development, transparency, services and investment. EURACTIV Spain reports.

The EU and Norway have reached an agreement on trade in agricultural products that will grant mutual duty-free access for 36 tariff lines.

The role of trade as a driver of global growth is threatened by a slowdown in trade reform since the early 2000s and an uptick in protectionism after the financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization and World Bank said on Monday.

Global free trade is at a “critical juncture” and policymakers must stand up for further integration while preventing “severe and long lasting” consequences for those left behind, three top international bodies have warned.