Thomas Wills

Trade, human rights, progressive politics and development. Director of @TradeJusticeMov, board member of @LTTtweets.

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Colombian government representatives have called ISDS 'a bloodbath'. The UK should partner with Colombia to support human rights over the profits of the most unethical and extractive companies.

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

Encouraging news: Colombia is pushing to renegotiate its investment treaty with the UK, citing concerns that it favours foreign corporations over state interests. 🌍✊ #ISDS

https://t.co/3D7iUnm7Pv via @ft

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Thread on the UK-Gulf trade agreement. It turns out the British public don't much like cosying up to repressive regimes with little economic benefit...

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

New briefing on the UK-Gulf trade deal: https://t.co/7ltFhd3uKx

Keir Starmer is in UAE today to push for a trade deal with the region.

Our new polling shows this trade deal lacks public backing, with the human rights record of the Gulf countries a major concern.

(1/4)

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

@Imran_posts https://t.co/cUN3y1GFYQ - this may be of interest to cover?

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

You love to see it. This is a great example that the UK should follow, these investment treaties obstruct human rights and climate action and have zero upside 😃

[SOMO @SOMO]

Kenya has terminated its Bilateral Investment Treaty with the Netherlands. A significant win for economic justice and environmental protection since these outdated treaties often prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. https://t.co/qGTmaAAv5H

[SOMO @SOMO]

Kenya has terminated its Bilateral Investment Treaty with the Netherlands. A significant win for economic justice and environmental protection since these outdated treaties often prioritize corporate interests over public welfare. https://t.co/qGTmaAAv5H

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

This article sets out - for the American context - some progressive, realistic, pro-rights trade policy thinking which @UKLabour can learn from as it sets out the UK's trade strategy.

https://t.co/2147YHrYWb

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Valuable resource from @TNInstitute highlighting the damaging impact of ISDS on Latin America. https://t.co/BkWowDzsFO

UK should cancel its investment treaties, which bring no economic benefit and obstruct climate action.

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

As the world turns its focus to the @UNBiodiversity conference, we call on the UK to work with Colombia to scrap the UK-Colombia bilateral investment treaty, to protect human rights and the environment.

#COP16Colombia #biodiversity #EndISDS
https://t.co/EeAieStBMn

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

This is why the UK needs to come to an agreement with other countries to neutralise the 'sunset clause' of the Energy Charter Treaty. Despite leaving the Treaty, we are exposed to being sued by fossil fuel companies for 20 years!

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

Exxon Mobile is suing the Dutch government for its decision to phase out gas exploration. It is doing so under the #ECT.

If the UK doesn't want to be vulnerable to being sued by fossil fuel companies in a similar way, it should #ExitECT and remove #ISDS from its trade deals.

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Pleased to have signed this letter to @jreynoldsMP calling for UK-Israel trade talks to be suspended

[Global Justice Now @GlobalJusticeUK]

📣NEW: UK must suspend trade talks and privileges with Israel, NGOs say 📣

Global Justice Now, @LPHR_Lawyers, @AmnestyUK, @WarOnWant and 20+ other orgs have written to @jreynoldsMP calling for an urgent review of trade relations with Israel 🧵

https://t.co/F03HKXiDFd

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Attendees at @The_TUC congress tomorrow are invited to join us for lunch and a rich discussion about trade policy and labour rights

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

📣Join us tomorrow at the @The_TUC
Congress 2024 at 12:45 for a session on UK trade policy and labour rights around the world.

Our amazing panel consists of:
@g_lanktree (chair)
@thomasrhwills
@liambyrnemp
@Rosa_Crawford
@ituc_africa General Secretary Joel Odigie

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Great article on the importance that African countries benefit from the mineral wealth that they hold, as the world comes to rely on cobalt, lithium etc.

https://t.co/yuNZCL1pdw

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

All the good info and insight into UK trade justice this month, right here

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

📣Our Sept newsletter is out! You'll find out:

🗓️What the new Labour government's position on trade is now they’ve reached 2 months in office
🧑‍💼Who’s who in Labour’s trade policy
🗞️Further updates, events and job postings

Happy reading!
👉https://t.co/o1eIXdTeWT

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

Great analysis from @cleodierickard in @tribunemagazine as she calls for the UK to take a different approach to trade policy.

https://t.co/KAhwSc03Et

We need to move away from the discredited idea that free trade agreements are the key to economic growth.

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

@TradeJusticeMov Rushing into more Free Trade Agreement talks without a published strategy is nonsensical, and will continue the confusion and chaos of Liz Truss' time in charge of UK trade.

What should be in a strategy? See here: https://t.co/HlVbooTuLS (2/2)

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Trade talks should only come *AFTER* the gov has made good on its promise to deliver a trade strategy. @TradeJusticeMov has been calling for years for a public statement of how UK trade will support higher social and environmental standards around the world. (1/2)

[Jonathan Reynolds @jreynoldsMP]

Boosting trade abroad is essential to deliver a strong economy at home. 🗺️

That’s why I’ve wasted no time taking stock of progress and getting ready to press on with trade talks with our international partners to spark economic growth in Britain.

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Economic growth in Britain is hardly served by continuing Liz Truss' Free Trade Agreement programme.

The UK estimates that a deal with India will add around 0.2% to UK GDP by 2035.

These rushed, low-standards deals are not a strategy worth pursuing.

[Dept. for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade @biztradegovuk]

Secretary of State @jreynoldsMP has announced the government’s intention to deliver trade negotiations with international partners, while putting UK businesses and economic growth at the centre of our new trade strategy 👉 https://t.co/3bPChrNTbA

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Seven *trade justice* priorities for the next government - me, for @bondngo

[Bond @bondngo]

The transition to a fairer and greener UK, which responsibly engages with the world, cannot be achieved without reassessing our approach to trade. Seven trade policy priorities for the next government. New blog from @thomasrhwills @TradeJusticeMov https://t.co/JhhX5KLPtN

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

Delighted that @ArthurNeslen covered this important story - the #ISDS system is being used by fossil fuel companies to fight climate laws. If we are to make progress against climate chaos, this system must be dismantled.

(the UK has signed 83 trade deals containing ISDS) 🫢

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

“The data backs up what we’ve been saying for years: #ISDS is the secret weapon for #FossilFuel companies against climate laws." @thomasrhwills

New data analysis by @TradeJusticeMov @TNInstitute and @PowerShift_eV shows staggering trends.

https://t.co/OcsV6djKyE

[Thomas Wills @thomasrhwills]

We @TradeJusticeMov have just launched our 2024 manifesto for trade justice, calling on all UK parties to support our recommendations for a trade policy which works for people and planet.

👇🗳️

[Trade Justice Movement @TradeJusticeMov]

🚨As we approach the #GeneralElection we lay out how the next UK Government could build a trade system which works for people and the planet.

Read our manifesto for trade justice 👉 https://t.co/qx4qSiQ2np

#GeneralElectionJuly4th2024 #GE2024