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Asia-Pacific Business Chambers Want TPP Negotiations Top On APEC Agenda
26-Oct-2009
Four Singapore-based Asia-Pacific business chambers today urged their governments to place the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations at the top of their trade policy agendas in the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting here early next month.
Free trade deal buoys Fonterra
26-Oct-2009
Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden says the dairy co-operative will step up investment within Asia because of the Malaysian free trade deal.
ASEAN FTA: CM demands apology from Union ministers
26-Oct-2009
Accusing Union ministers from Kerala and Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy of "misleading" the public on the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN countries, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today demanded an apology from them.
Anand Sharma to sign new trade treaty with Nepal
26-Oct-2009
Indian commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma is arriving in Nepal on Tuesday to ink the new India-Nepal Trade Treaty that will now get a seven-year shelf life instead of the earlier five with the provision to have it automatically extended every seven years.
PM: Trade deal big step for economy
26-Oct-2009
John Key says the signing of a free trade deal with Malaysia is another vital move towards a "step change" for the New Zealand economy.
Taiwan, Hong Hong, Macao companies seek new chances as CAFTA approaches
26-Oct-2009
Companies from China’s Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao tried to seek new chances at China-ASEAN Expo as the operation of China-ASEAN free trade area (CAFTA) approaches.
U.S. beef decision not linked to trade agreement goal: vice premier
26-Oct-2009
Taiwan’s decision to relax its restrictions against U.S. beef imports has nothing to do with any attempt to resume trade talks with the United States under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) , Vice Premier Eric Lilun Chu said Monday.
M’sia, NZ sign FTA
26-Oct-2009
Malaysia and New Zealand signed a free trade deal on Monday after four years of negotiations, in an agreement Malaysia hopes will see it become a gateway to investment in Southeast Asia.
Thailand’s demand to cut RP rice tariffs amid calamity insensitive, highlights dangers of free trade deals
26-Oct-2009 IBON Foundation
Research group IBON called insensitive the Thai government’s demand to cut import tariffs on rice, especially since the country is still reeling from the recent typhoon disasters and its food security is threatened. It also highlights the dangers of entering into free trade agreements, which leaves the country no room to maneuver its policies on agriculture and industries.
Is the US ready to challenge China’s Asean influence?
25-Oct-2009 The Irawaddy
Proposals by a prominent Washington senator to push the US government into a free trade agreement with Asean may be no more than a political prod to get President Barack Obama more engaged in Southeast Asia.
Protest in solidarity with people of Honduras
25-Oct-2009 Fight Back! News
Meredith Aby, of the Anti-War Committee and the Colombia Action Network, explained the root of the coup, "While in office Zelaya took some strong stands to help his people, like increasing the minimum wage and standing with ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) against the US’s free trade agenda in the region."
ASEAN to study free trade pact: officials
25-Oct-2009 AFP
East Asian nations (ASEAN+3: China, Japan, Korea) are to carry out a feasibility study for a huge free trade zone, officials said at a summit Saturday. A separate study for a wider economic partnership also covering India, Australia and New Zealand (ASEAN+6) would be carried out in tandem.
Canada pushes for lower EU subsidies at trade talks
25-Oct-2009 Canadian Press
Canada is pushing European Union countries to drop subsidies for agricultural products at talks aimed at reaching a bilateral free-trade agreement. European countries want Canada to get rid of its supply management systems for dairy, poultry and egg products.
India lines up for free trade deal with NZ
25-Oct-2009 Stuff
Officials from both countries had been looking at the issue but until now it had not been a serious prospect because of India’s heavy protection of its agricultural sector.
India, China in talks for free trade pact
25-Oct-2009 Live Mint
India said on Sunday that it is in discussions with China for a free trade agreement (FTA) to break down duty barriers to bilateral trade.
Japan, Australia ‘test’ Asia leaders with trade bloc plans
25-Oct-2009 Bloomberg
Japan and Australia outlined competing visions for an East Asian trade bloc during a 16- nation summit in Thailand, offering plans that differ on what role the US will play.
US, Taiwan may resume trade talks this year
25-Oct-2009 Taiwan News
US-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks are expected to be resumed by the end of this year now that the issue of beef imports from the US has been resolved, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said Friday.
NZ close to free trade compact
25-Oct-2009 NZ Herald
New Zealand is closing in on an historic free-trade agreement with Hong Kong which could be precedent-setting, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Documentary on free trade protests
24-Oct-2009 Daily Herald Tribune
While researching for a film on the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) – a tri-lateral initiative between Mexico, the United States, and Canada – B.C. filmmaker Paul Manly was convinced by people to head to Montebello, Que., for a 2007 summit attended by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, US President George W Bush, and Mexican President Felipe Calderón.
Senators urge Obama on Asia-Pacific trade deal
23-Oct-2009 Reuters
They urged him to complete the Transpacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) begun by the administration of former President George W. Bush in 2008.