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Jane Kelsey: One year on from TPPA mass protests – how we can shape trade for the 99% not the 1%

The article below by Professor Kelsey was originally published on the Daily Blog on 5 February 2017. ___________ The governments and corporate lobbies that champion these deals are in a state of denial and desperately trying to rescue their bankrupt model. This year we begin work with others internationally to set a new agenda for

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Open Letter to Trade Minister Todd McClay

The government has announced a ‘refresh’ of its trade policy. However, it looks more like a sticking plaster on the current failed policy when invasive surgery is required. Agreements like the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) become deeply concerning to many New Zealanders as they increasingly intrude into areas of sovereign decision-making. The rights of government to

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Germany says TTIP deal has failed

Radio New Zealand’s Patrick O’Meara has published an interview with Professor Jane Kelsey on the increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. Germany’s economic affairs minister, Sigmar Gabriel, has commented that the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks have failed. There has not been a single chapter agreed by the parties after 14

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A group of leading Australian economists have criticised recent free trade deals and argue that their benefits have been overstated. This echoes criticism of MFAT’s reliance on speculative modelling. Without their misleading assumptions, the analysis would have shown net costs for the New Zealand economy. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/top-economists-say-government-claims-mythical-trade-deal-benefits/news-story/9dbc2e7a72bdba398ae86066085f7f9d    

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RCEP Protest in India

Evergreening clause dropped after stiff opposition from India

The Daily Excelsior reports that provisions relating to the evergreening of patents have been dropped from RCEP negotiations after stiff opposition from India. ‘Evergreening’ involves making extremely minor changes to a patented product as a product expires, triggering a new period of patent protection: “It may be noted that some RCEP countries had tried to introduce a

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