Global Trade Watch
@pcgtw.bsky.social
Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, promoting government & corporate accountability in #globalization and #trade since 1995.
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Global Trade Watch
@pcgtw.bsky.social
· Dec 11
Trump’s critical minerals push is locking the Global South into raw extraction while corporations take the profit.
Our new report with Satya Bumi exposes how. ⬇️
Our new report with Satya Bumi exposes how. ⬇️
The recent US-Argentina trade deal marks a new low in weaponizing trade policy for this administration.
Trump is bullying other countries into adopting intellectual property rules that will line Big Pharma's pockets at our expense.
Trump is bullying other countries into adopting intellectual property rules that will line Big Pharma's pockets at our expense.
February 18, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The recent US-Argentina trade deal marks a new low in weaponizing trade policy for this administration.
Trump is bullying other countries into adopting intellectual property rules that will line Big Pharma's pockets at our expense.
Trump is bullying other countries into adopting intellectual property rules that will line Big Pharma's pockets at our expense.
We’ve got the receipts. Big Tech is urging Trump to weaponize U.S. trade policy to advance their deregulatory agenda, all at the expense of consumers, democracy, and the public interest worldwide.
February 18, 2026 at 4:37 PM
We’ve got the receipts. Big Tech is urging Trump to weaponize U.S. trade policy to advance their deregulatory agenda, all at the expense of consumers, democracy, and the public interest worldwide.
Under the guise of peace and development, a new US-DRC minerals deal hands unprecedented control over DR Congo’s resources to the US government and US corporations.
February 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Under the guise of peace and development, a new US-DRC minerals deal hands unprecedented control over DR Congo’s resources to the US government and US corporations.
The House is finally exercising congressional authority to end the “emergencies” that Trump declared to institute reckless tariffs.
Read our take ⬇️
Read our take ⬇️
February 13, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The House is finally exercising congressional authority to end the “emergencies” that Trump declared to institute reckless tariffs.
Read our take ⬇️
Read our take ⬇️
Trump withdrew from global tax cooperation, bullied Canada to drop its digital services tax, and now wants the WTO to ban digital customs duties permanently.
The throughline? Protect U.S. Big Tech from regulation, at home and abroad.
The throughline? Protect U.S. Big Tech from regulation, at home and abroad.
February 13, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Trump withdrew from global tax cooperation, bullied Canada to drop its digital services tax, and now wants the WTO to ban digital customs duties permanently.
The throughline? Protect U.S. Big Tech from regulation, at home and abroad.
The throughline? Protect U.S. Big Tech from regulation, at home and abroad.
Trade associations and lobby groups representing tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook, among others, are behind an aggressive campaign to roll back global digital regulations.
February 10, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Trade associations and lobby groups representing tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook, among others, are behind an aggressive campaign to roll back global digital regulations.
Trump has continued to exploit the lie that immigrants are to blame for working people’s frustrations.
We know it’s BS, and we have solutions to transform the very global trade policies that have displaced and exploited workers ⬇️
We know it’s BS, and we have solutions to transform the very global trade policies that have displaced and exploited workers ⬇️
February 9, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Trump has continued to exploit the lie that immigrants are to blame for working people’s frustrations.
We know it’s BS, and we have solutions to transform the very global trade policies that have displaced and exploited workers ⬇️
We know it’s BS, and we have solutions to transform the very global trade policies that have displaced and exploited workers ⬇️
The US-DRC minerals agreement was never debated in Congo’s parliament, and the US Congress wasn’t meaningfully consulted either.
That lack of transparency matters when a deal reshapes who controls some of the world’s most important minerals and on whose terms.
That lack of transparency matters when a deal reshapes who controls some of the world’s most important minerals and on whose terms.
February 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The US-DRC minerals agreement was never debated in Congo’s parliament, and the US Congress wasn’t meaningfully consulted either.
That lack of transparency matters when a deal reshapes who controls some of the world’s most important minerals and on whose terms.
That lack of transparency matters when a deal reshapes who controls some of the world’s most important minerals and on whose terms.
The Trump admin recently announced “arrangements” and “action plans” on critical minerals.
Like many Trump-era “deals,” it’s unclear what impact these will actually have. What is clear: Congress must assert its authority and demand transparency and accountability.
Like many Trump-era “deals,” it’s unclear what impact these will actually have. What is clear: Congress must assert its authority and demand transparency and accountability.
February 4, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The Trump admin recently announced “arrangements” and “action plans” on critical minerals.
Like many Trump-era “deals,” it’s unclear what impact these will actually have. What is clear: Congress must assert its authority and demand transparency and accountability.
Like many Trump-era “deals,” it’s unclear what impact these will actually have. What is clear: Congress must assert its authority and demand transparency and accountability.
Sounds veryyyy familiar.
Trump’s second term is shaping up exactly as we predicted: weakened watchdogs, closed-door decision-making, and exemptions tilted toward donors and loyalists — with workers and consumers paying the price.
Trump’s second term is shaping up exactly as we predicted: weakened watchdogs, closed-door decision-making, and exemptions tilted toward donors and loyalists — with workers and consumers paying the price.
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen. n.pr/4qgSrEo
Trump grants tariff breaks to 'politically connected' companies, Senate Dems say
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen.
n.pr
February 4, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Sounds veryyyy familiar.
Trump’s second term is shaping up exactly as we predicted: weakened watchdogs, closed-door decision-making, and exemptions tilted toward donors and loyalists — with workers and consumers paying the price.
Trump’s second term is shaping up exactly as we predicted: weakened watchdogs, closed-door decision-making, and exemptions tilted toward donors and loyalists — with workers and consumers paying the price.
Big Tech isn’t just opposing “regulation,” it’s attacking specific laws worldwide.
🧑💻AI rules on biometric surveillance
🔐Data protection laws safeguarding personal data
⚖️Antitrust regulations promoting competition
🧑💻AI rules on biometric surveillance
🔐Data protection laws safeguarding personal data
⚖️Antitrust regulations promoting competition
February 4, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Big Tech isn’t just opposing “regulation,” it’s attacking specific laws worldwide.
🧑💻AI rules on biometric surveillance
🔐Data protection laws safeguarding personal data
⚖️Antitrust regulations promoting competition
🧑💻AI rules on biometric surveillance
🔐Data protection laws safeguarding personal data
⚖️Antitrust regulations promoting competition
"Today’s WTO ruling puts into sharp relief that the existing rules of the global economy are not fit for purpose to address the urgent crises facing our world — from catastrophic climate change to growing authoritarianism."
Read the full statement ⬇️
Read the full statement ⬇️
WTO panel issues report regarding certain US tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act #TradeDisputes
WTO panel issues report regarding certain US tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act
On 30 January, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in United States - Certain Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act (DS623).
dlvr.it
February 2, 2026 at 3:51 PM
"Today’s WTO ruling puts into sharp relief that the existing rules of the global economy are not fit for purpose to address the urgent crises facing our world — from catastrophic climate change to growing authoritarianism."
Read the full statement ⬇️
Read the full statement ⬇️
BREAKING - new deal with Guatemala also contains harmful rules that give a handful of tech CEOs even more power over our lives.
Updated statement at the same link below.
Updated statement at the same link below.
Trump’s new trade deal with El Salvador is the third such agreement to have several handouts to Big Tech and other corporate interests.
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
January 30, 2026 at 9:07 PM
BREAKING - new deal with Guatemala also contains harmful rules that give a handful of tech CEOs even more power over our lives.
Updated statement at the same link below.
Updated statement at the same link below.
Trump’s new trade deal with El Salvador is the third such agreement to have several handouts to Big Tech and other corporate interests.
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
January 29, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Trump’s new trade deal with El Salvador is the third such agreement to have several handouts to Big Tech and other corporate interests.
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
Read our Director, Melinda St. Louis’, take ⬇️
Canada’s PM Mark Carney admits the truth: global trade rules were unfair by design.
Check out the whole speech here:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Check out the whole speech here:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Read Mark Carney's full speech on middle powers navigating a rapidly changing world | CBC News
Read the full text of Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech about a shakeup of the global order and role of middle powers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
www.cbc.ca
January 28, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Canada’s PM Mark Carney admits the truth: global trade rules were unfair by design.
Check out the whole speech here:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Check out the whole speech here:
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Ecuador says NO to corporate courts, but its leaders are pushing to say yes anyway.
ISDS isn’t “investment protection,” it's a tool to shield mining, oil, and other corporations from accountability.
ISDS isn’t “investment protection,” it's a tool to shield mining, oil, and other corporations from accountability.
January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Ecuador says NO to corporate courts, but its leaders are pushing to say yes anyway.
ISDS isn’t “investment protection,” it's a tool to shield mining, oil, and other corporations from accountability.
ISDS isn’t “investment protection,” it's a tool to shield mining, oil, and other corporations from accountability.
Armed groups have killed thousands and displaced millions in eastern Congo, violence driven in part by competition over cobalt and other minerals.
The US response? Lock in preferential access to those same resources.
The US response? Lock in preferential access to those same resources.
January 26, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Armed groups have killed thousands and displaced millions in eastern Congo, violence driven in part by competition over cobalt and other minerals.
The US response? Lock in preferential access to those same resources.
The US response? Lock in preferential access to those same resources.
Today, Congress will discuss Trump’s deals with DR Congo.
Here’s what to know about his neo-colonial grab for the Congo’s “critical minerals.”
@houseforeign.bsky.social
Here’s what to know about his neo-colonial grab for the Congo’s “critical minerals.”
@houseforeign.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Today, Congress will discuss Trump’s deals with DR Congo.
Here’s what to know about his neo-colonial grab for the Congo’s “critical minerals.”
@houseforeign.bsky.social
Here’s what to know about his neo-colonial grab for the Congo’s “critical minerals.”
@houseforeign.bsky.social
What is Trump’s agenda for critical minerals?
The deal with Malaysia reveals not partnership, but exploitation. He used tariff threats to force Malaysia into giving the U.S. unfettered access to its critical minerals with almost nothing in return.
The deal with Malaysia reveals not partnership, but exploitation. He used tariff threats to force Malaysia into giving the U.S. unfettered access to its critical minerals with almost nothing in return.
January 21, 2026 at 7:57 PM
What is Trump’s agenda for critical minerals?
The deal with Malaysia reveals not partnership, but exploitation. He used tariff threats to force Malaysia into giving the U.S. unfettered access to its critical minerals with almost nothing in return.
The deal with Malaysia reveals not partnership, but exploitation. He used tariff threats to force Malaysia into giving the U.S. unfettered access to its critical minerals with almost nothing in return.
Trump’s Greenland threats show just how far he’s willing to abuse trade policy to advance an authoritarian and imperialist agenda.
January 20, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Trump’s Greenland threats show just how far he’s willing to abuse trade policy to advance an authoritarian and imperialist agenda.
"I’m the tariff king and the tariff king has done a great job."
Sure, a great job bullying countries on behalf of billionaires & undermining our reputation around the world.
Unfortunately, for U.S. workers, just like Tiger King, we are never going to financially recover.
Sure, a great job bullying countries on behalf of billionaires & undermining our reputation around the world.
Unfortunately, for U.S. workers, just like Tiger King, we are never going to financially recover.
January 16, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"I’m the tariff king and the tariff king has done a great job."
Sure, a great job bullying countries on behalf of billionaires & undermining our reputation around the world.
Unfortunately, for U.S. workers, just like Tiger King, we are never going to financially recover.
Sure, a great job bullying countries on behalf of billionaires & undermining our reputation around the world.
Unfortunately, for U.S. workers, just like Tiger King, we are never going to financially recover.
Trump is launching a new wave of trade talks to secure access to other countries' “critical minerals.”
No accountability. No public input. More harm to communities and the environment. Congress must assert its authority, now.
No accountability. No public input. More harm to communities and the environment. Congress must assert its authority, now.
January 15, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Trump is launching a new wave of trade talks to secure access to other countries' “critical minerals.”
No accountability. No public input. More harm to communities and the environment. Congress must assert its authority, now.
No accountability. No public input. More harm to communities and the environment. Congress must assert its authority, now.
AI rules. Data privacy protections. Anti-monopoly laws.
Big Tech is lobbying to dismantle them worldwide, trading public welfare for their profit.
Big Tech is lobbying to dismantle them worldwide, trading public welfare for their profit.
The tech industry has no better friend in its drive for deregulation and tax avoidance around the world than Donald Trump. His bullying has led countries to give up their sovereign power to safeguard the public interest. And now Big Tech is asking for more. From me:
prospect.org/2026/01/13/t...
prospect.org/2026/01/13/t...
Where Big Tech and Trump Are Demanding Tax Cuts and Deregulation - The American Prospect
A new analysis shows that Big Tech is seeking changes to national law in 64 countries. The Trump regime is helping them.
prospect.org
January 13, 2026 at 2:54 PM
AI rules. Data privacy protections. Anti-monopoly laws.
Big Tech is lobbying to dismantle them worldwide, trading public welfare for their profit.
Big Tech is lobbying to dismantle them worldwide, trading public welfare for their profit.
From Argentina to Zimbabwe, Big Tech is lobbying to roll back digital regulations across the globe. 🌍
Our new map tracks 200+ policies in 60+ jurisdictions that Big Tech lobbyists have asked Trump to attack. See it for yourself ⬇️
Our new map tracks 200+ policies in 60+ jurisdictions that Big Tech lobbyists have asked Trump to attack. See it for yourself ⬇️
January 13, 2026 at 2:31 PM
From Argentina to Zimbabwe, Big Tech is lobbying to roll back digital regulations across the globe. 🌍
Our new map tracks 200+ policies in 60+ jurisdictions that Big Tech lobbyists have asked Trump to attack. See it for yourself ⬇️
Our new map tracks 200+ policies in 60+ jurisdictions that Big Tech lobbyists have asked Trump to attack. See it for yourself ⬇️
Earlier trade deals at least pretended to be reciprocal. Not anymore.
Trump’s critical-mineral agreements are openly designed to maximize corporate profits by locking the Global South into extraction while offering them virtually nothing in return.
Trump’s critical-mineral agreements are openly designed to maximize corporate profits by locking the Global South into extraction while offering them virtually nothing in return.
January 12, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Earlier trade deals at least pretended to be reciprocal. Not anymore.
Trump’s critical-mineral agreements are openly designed to maximize corporate profits by locking the Global South into extraction while offering them virtually nothing in return.
Trump’s critical-mineral agreements are openly designed to maximize corporate profits by locking the Global South into extraction while offering them virtually nothing in return.