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Trade and investments

Political article

After the elections...

Much has already been written about the 2019 parliamentary election results. One searched the media in vain for an assessment of their implications for Switzerland‘s development policy approaches or its foreign policy.

Political article

Driver of development, neo-colonialism – or both?

With the Belt and Road Initiative, China is pushing global development in a manner unparalleled to date. But how sustainable are the “new silk roads”? Switzerland wants a piece of the cake and has signed a memorandum of understanding with China.

Political article

The obsolescence of the free trade model

The free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries raises questions. Those being affected locally fear even more power for agribusiness. And gloomy prospects for the observance of human rights.

Political article

Mercosur negotiations behind closed doors

Anger is widespread in Mercosur countries over free trade negotiations with the EU. It is feared that industrial jobs will disappear to make way for a commodity-exporting economy. Things are not much different in the case of EFTA.

Mercosur and EFTA: Transparency requested!

Four Swiss NGOs and Friends of the Earth Uruguay ask State parties to guarantee transparency in the free trade negotiations between Mercosur and EFTA.

WTO and the fourth industrial revolution

The 11th WTO Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires shall discuss – among other topics – the liberalisation of E-commerce. The digital divide is likely to deepen even more. The Alliance Sud position.

Article as analysis

Investment protection: A collapsing system

States sign investment protection agreements among themselves, multinational corporations can sue if they are violated. This is becoming ever more frequent. But more and more States are reacting by terminating those agreements.

Article as analysis

Investing responsibly in Iran – is this possible?

Enterprises must respect human rights, including when investing abroad. What should Switzerland's role be in opening up Iran, the investor El Dorado?

Article as analysis

TISA: Negotiations at a standstill

Even if the TISA negotiations were to be continued in 2017, they are still fraught with problems, especially regarding the liberalization of public services.