AfCFTA nears full African adoption as 49 out of 54 states ratify trade pact
Africa’s push to deepen regional trade is gaining momentum, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) nearing universal adoption as countries seek to strengthen economic resilience amid rising global trade tensions. According to the 2026 African Trade Report by Afreximbank, 49 out of 54 African Union member states had ratified the agreement by July 2025. The record marks significant progress towards creating a single continental market aimed at boosting intra-African commerce and reducing reliance on external markets. Eritrea remains the only African Union member yet to sign the agreement, while Benin, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan are yet to complete ratification, meaning full legal implementation across the continent is still pending. The progress comes at a time when disruptions in global trade, protectionist measures and weaknesses in the multilateral trading system have increased pressure on African economies to build stronger regional supply chains and expand local markets. Afreximbank notes that implementation of the AfCFTA has moved beyond ratification, with countries making advances in tariff negotiations, trade facilitation and market access arrangements. Negotiations on rules of origin, which determine where goods qualify for preferential treatment under the trade agreement, have also progressed to about 92.43 per cent of tariff lines. Remaining issues are concentrated in sensitive sectors such as textiles and automotive products, which are key industries for manufacturing economies including Egypt, Morocco and South Africa. At the national level, 24 countries, including Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire, had domesticated AfCFTA provisions by 2025, aligning national trade frameworks to support implementation. The agreement is also translating into real trade activity through the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative, which expanded participation to more than 39 countries by 2025.
EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership: Council Adopts Decision on the Signing and Provisional Application of the Agreement
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1510 of May 11, 2026, on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and its Member States and Mexico was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This decision paves the way for the implementation of a modernized framework for economic, political, and trade cooperation, which replaces the previous agreement from 1997. From the perspective of the electronics, ICT, and international trade sectors, the provisional application of most of the institutional and substantive provisions (including those in the areas of trade, sustainable development, and research and innovation) - as provided for in the act-even before the full ratification by all Member States is completed is of key importance. For compliance professionals, this means they must monitor the notice in the Official Journal of the EU specifying the exact date on which the provisional application of the agreement begins. This approach accelerates market access and strengthens technological cooperation between the two economies.
Ghana and Morocco Sign 11 Agreements to Advance Intra-African Trade
The Architecture of African Economic Integration: Why Bilateral Frameworks Are Becoming the Engine of Continental Trade Intra-African trade has long underperformed relative to the continent's economic potential. Despite decades of regional integration rhetoric, Africa's internal commerce accounts for roughly 15 to 17 percent of total African exports, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the more than 60 percent recorded within Europe and approximately 58 percent across Asia. The structural reasons for this gap are well understood: fragmented customs regimes, divergent product standards, poor physical connectivity, and weak institutional continuity across political cycles. Ghana and Morocco sign 11 agreements to advance intra-African trade represents exactly the kind of precision bilateral instrument designed to dismantle these barriers layer by layer.
The decision by Ghana and Morocco to construct an integrated institutional architecture targets trade friction across multiple dimensions simultaneously. Rather than pursuing a single sweeping liberalisation measure, the two countries have taken a more nuanced approach. Understanding why this matters requires looking beyond the headline agreement count and examining the strategic logic embedded within each instrument.
Understanding the Scope of the 11 Agreements.
The bilateral framework formalised during the second session of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation covers a deliberately broad range of domains. This breadth is not accidental. It reflects a sophisticated understanding that trade volumes between two economies are determined not only by tariff schedules, but by the cumulative friction generated across customs procedures, logistics networks, product certification regimes, institutional capacity, and human capital pipelines.
Ghana, Nigeria agree to strengthen cross-border trade under AfCFTA
Ghana and Nigeria have resolved to strengthen cross-border trade to advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Both countries say they are committed to removing trade barriers to increase trade volumes beyond 20 percent.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs encouraged the Nigerian government and other ECOWAS member states to bolster confidence in the launch of the single currency, ECO, for the subregion to facilitate trade.
Hong Kong - Peru trade deal to enter into force on 01st September
Hong Kong’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Peru will take effect on 1 September, eliminating tariffs on about 98.3% of tariff lines covering the city’s exports. Import duties on 91.3% of tariff lines will be removed immediately when the FTA enters into force, whilst duties on the remaining 7% will be phased out, according to the Trade and Industry Department. The agreement also covers trade in services, investment, electronic commerce, and trade facilitation measures. Service providers will gain access to more than 150 sectors in which Peru has made specific commitments, including professional services, computer and related services, research and development, financial services, and transport. Peru will also accord Hong Kong investors national treatment in areas specified under the FTA. Separately, the two parties are expected to sign an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement once their respective internal procedures are completed.
India, Cambodia complete bilateral investment treaty (BIT) talks
India and Cambodia have completed negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and have agreed to sign it at the earliest. They also discussed ways to increase cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, dyes and pigments, banking and insurance sectors with a view to boosting economic ties. The issues were discussed during the India-Cambodia Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The treaty protects and promotes bilateral investments.
India and Gulf bloc hold FTA talks
India has reviewed the negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The meeting took place on Sunday, where both sides discussed ways to strengthen India-GCC relations, exchanged views on regional and international developments, and reviewed preparations for a ministerial meeting scheduled next month, the GCC Secretariat said in a statement. The meeting assumes significance as India and the GCC resumed negotiations in February for a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment, even though the talks were temporarily stalled in June because of the West Asia crisis. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and was established in 1981 as a political, economic and security grouping. During Sunday's meeting, India and the GCC also affirmed the importance of continued coordination and consultations on issues of common interest to contribute to regional security and stability, the GCC.
India in trade talks with 8-9 more countries, FTAs to cover 75% of global trade
India is negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with at least 8-9 more groups of countries and individual nations, which together could add another USD 15 trillion to the economies covered by its trade pacts. India's expanding network of FTAs would eventually cover about 75 per cent of global trade, helping the country become a trusted partner in global value chains. The country has signed nine FTAs in the last four years, covering economies with a combined GDP of USD 60 trillion and 38 developed countries. Earlier trade agreements with countries including Japan and South Korea, as well as the Asean region, have opened access to another USD 10 trillion of GDP.
India, Mexico finalise ToR for preferential trade agreement, signing soon
India and Mexico have finalised the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a proposed preferential trade agreement (PTA), with the formal signing of the roadmap likely to take place soon. Unlike a comprehensive free trade agreement, the proposed PTA with Mexico is expected to cover a more limited set of areas, including trade in goods and market access, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, trade remedies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade and dispute settlement. The ToR for a trade deal is a formal roadmap that sets the boundaries, goals, scope and rules for economies before they start official negotiations. New Delhi initiated discussions for a trade agreement with Mexico after the latter imposed tariffs as steep as 50 per cent on over 1,400 products from all non-preferential partners, including India. But despite the tariffs, India’s exports to Mexico have grown nearly 17 per cent so far in the calendar year till June, according to the latest data available with the Department of Commerce. India exported goods worth $5.73 billion to Mexico in 2025-26 (FY26), with nearly half of the shipments comprising vehicles and auto components, and electrical machinery and equipment. India also recorded a trade surplus of $3.63 billion with Mexico during the year.
India, Israel set to exchange market access offers for FTA
India-Israel free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, revived last year after years of intermittent discussions, are gathering momentum as both sides prepare to enter the crucial market-access phase. Following the second round of talks in July, New Delhi is consulting domestic industry to finalise its offer ahead of the third round, when the two countries are expected to exchange market-access proposals. Total merchandise trade between India and Israel remains modest at $3.93 billion in FY25-26, with India’s exports at about $2.25 billion and imports at around $1.68 billion. India mainly exports cut and polished gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, rice, aircraft parts, textiles and machinery, while imports include diamonds, chemicals, integrated circuits, machinery and electronics.
Philippines, Canada target year-end FTA after September talks
The Philippines and Canada are set to hold the next round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in September following last week’s productive talks, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Several chapters of the FTA were finalized during the latest round. The talks also focused largely on market access for trade in goods. Since negotiations for the trade pact were launched in October last year, the Philippines and Canada have completed three rounds of talks. The first negotiating round was held in February this year in Pasay City, followed by the second round in April in Mandaluyong City. DTI data showed that bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached $2.15 billion in 2025, with Canada ranking as the Philippines’ 16th-largest trading partner among 229 economies.
Philippine exports to Canada reached $1.31 billion last year, led by unrefined copper, copper anodes, and ignition wiring sets. Imports from Canada totaled $840 million, consisting mainly of wheat, meslin, wood, and copper ores and concentrates.
Philippines-Chile free trade deal set for October signing
The Philippines is set to sign its free trade agreement (FTA) with Chile in October, as it looks to upgrade bilateral ties while opening a promising new market for exporters. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters that the signing of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries is scheduled to take place in October. Both sides originally planned to sign the CEP by September but have since moved it to the following month to complete the legal scrubbing.
Switzerland, China conclude talks to expand free trade agreement
Nearly all Swiss exports to China will become duty-free under an updated free trade agreement, after negotiators from both countries concluded talks in Bern. Swiss Federal President and Economy Minister and Chinese Commerce Minister finalized the revised agreement, which is expected to be signed before the end of the year. Under the updated terms, 99.8% of current Swiss exports to China will enter the Chinese market without tariffs once phase-out periods are completed, according to the department. That marks a sharp increase from the existing agreement, under which just over half of Swiss exports currently qualify for duty-free treatment. The revised deal also aims to improve market access for Swiss investors operating in China, while strengthening provisions related to environmental protection and labor rights.
UAE-Russia trade and investment agreement comes into effect
A trade and investment agreement between the UAE and Russia has officially come into force a year after it was signed, in a move aimed at boosting bilateral economic ties. It aims to increase collaboration across high-growth services sectors by establishing clear rules and protections for services trade and cross-border investment. It will focus on sectors including FinTech, healthcare, transport, logistics and professional services. The Tisia was signed on August 8 last year in Moscow during President Sheikh Mohamed's visit to Russia. The EAEU comprises five member states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan with a combined GDP of nearly $5 trillion. The UAE signed an economic partnership agreement with the EAEU in 2025 covering trade in goods at the regional level. The deal with Russia is part of the UAE's broader foreign trade agenda, which aims to increase non-oil trade to $1.1 trillion by 2031. The country is investing heavily in trade and logistics infrastructure, including modern seaports and airports to attract foreign investors.
Mexico optimistic on US trade deal after Canada talks fail
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism she can reach a trade deal with Donald Trump as her chief negotiator leads talks in Washington, just after negotiations between the United States and Canada collapsed. Economy Minister will remain in Washington for several days as he seeks to lower 50 per cent U.S. tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum, and 25 per cent duties on automobiles. The six-year-old CUSMA trade pact includes the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Last month, it formally entered a phase of annual reviews as separate bilateral negotiations also take place. Washington’s negotiations with Ottawa fell apart in recent days, prompting Trump to say he’ll double tariffs on Canadian automobiles and parts starting next year. The breakdown also triggered a 50 per cent U.S. levy on about US$20 billion of Canadian goods, while Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs to take effect on Sept. 8. Like with Mexico, the current import duty on Canadian cars is 25 per cent and applied only to the vehicles’ non-U.S. content. Imported steel also faces 50 per cent levies.
US Senate votes to extend AGOA trade deal to 2028
In a major boost for African trade, the United States (US) Senate has overwhelmingly voted to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through to December 2028. The upper chamber passed the legislation by an overwhelming 90–6 margin, giving businesses across the continent much-needed certainty as the current agreement was set to lapse at the end of this year. AGOA gives 32 sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the lucrative US market for thousands of products. While the Senate’s decisive vote marks a huge step forward, the bill isn’t across the finish line just yet. It now moves to the House of Representatives for approval before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
US gives Malaysia two years to enact forced labour laws under Reciprocal Trade Agreement
Malaysia has been granted two years by the United States to introduce and strengthen domestic legislation addressing forced labour under the terms of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) signed between the two countries.
US Senate votes to extend AGOA trade deal to 2028
AGOA set for three-year extension following US Senate approval. In a major boost for African trade, the United States (US) Senate has overwhelmingly voted to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through to December 2028. The upper chamber passed the legislation by an overwhelming 90–6 margin, giving businesses across the continent much-needed certainty as the current agreement was set to lapse at the end of this year. AGOA gives 32 sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the lucrative US market for thousands of products. While the Senate’s decisive vote marks a huge step forward, the bill isn’t across the finish line just yet. It now moves to the House of Representatives for approval before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
U.S. and Jordan Sign Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
In a press release published on July 21, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement with Jordan.
The U.S.-Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade’s key provisions include:
- Jordan will provide duty-free access to almost all U.S. goods and remove non-tariff trade barriers.
- Jordan has committed to enforce environmental laws, protect labor laws, ban goods made by forced labor, increase intellectual property protection, and improve customs procedures.
- Jordan will cooperate with the United States in restricting transactions involving individuals and entities on the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List.
- Jordan will allow and facilitate U.S. investment on terms “no less favorable than it accords its own investors.”
The agreement will enter into force 60 days after both parties have notified each other that their respective internal procedures have been completed.