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ANALYSIS: Academics lambaste US’ ractopamine safety data
5-Mar-2012 Taipei Times
Local experts in hygiene and veterinary medicine have urged the US to squarely face the challenges posed by the scientific evidence on which it has based its contention that US beef containing the lean meat-enhancing feed additive ractopamine is safe for human consumption, before it presses Taiwan to handle the issue scientifically.
TPP negotiators turn to pharmaceutical reimbursement
5-Mar-2012 Info Justice
Negotiations of the Transpacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) have turned to discussions of the pharmaceutical reimbursement chapter. This issue is highly controversial and represents a very recent shift in US trade policy.
VN, EU push for free trade agreement
5-Mar-2012 VNA
The EU hope negotiations for an FTA with Vietnam will be announced at the EU-ASEAN business summit taking place in Phnom Penh on April 1
Labor standing firm on Pacific trade deal
5-Mar-2012 Sydney Morning Herald
The federal government is standing firm against Australian and US business demands that it allow controversial dispute settlement clauses into an ambitious new Pacific free trade deal.
US in talks with India on bilateral investment treaty
5-Mar-2012 Times of India
The United States says it is developing a new model bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and had intensified its engagement with potential partners like India and China to conclude such a treaty with them.
India-Canada free trade agreement could be finalised by 2013: Canadian diplomat
5-Mar-2012 Economic Times
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) or Free Trade Agreement between India and Canada may be finalised by 2013, according to a top Canadian diplomat.
’Meet the new boss’: The rise of Colombia’s labor co-ops
2-Mar-2012 Global Post
According to labor-rights activists as well as a recent US State department report, many Colombian co-ops function as glorified temp agencies providing companies with cheap and docile non-union workers.
Pak opens door to all Indian products
2-Mar-2012 The Nation
The Federal government’s decision to liberalise trade with India and cabinet approval to eliminate negative list by year end are going to open country’s doors to Indian products whereas Pakistan has nothing significant to export India except raw gypsum, salt and dry fruits.
US officials coming to India for talks on investment pact
2-Mar-2012 Hindu Business Line
US officials would soon travel to India for talks on Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), a top trade official has said, hoping the talks would conclude soon.
Colombian foreign minister voices optimism over inking bilateral EPA
2-Mar-2012 Japan Times
The foreign minister was in Japan to attend a joint study on a bilateral EPA, which President Santos and Prime Minister Noda agreed on launching last September.
International civil society groups slam corporate influence on Trans-Pacific free trade talks
2-Mar-2012 Matangi Tonga
The 11th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement negotiations between Australia, the US, New Zealand, Malaysia and four other countries starts in Melbourne on March 1. Civil society groups from those countries are in Melbourne to contest corporate influence and debate the issues.
Japan, Peru free trade agreement takes effect
2-Mar-2012 AFP
A free trade agreement between Peru and Japan went into effect on Thursday that the Peruvian government says will increase bilateral commerce by at least 25 per cent.
Govt. to provide cash assistance to livestock farmers affected by FTA play
1-Mar-2012 Arirang
Korean livestock farmers will receive cash assistance from the government if the price of their products drop after the Korea-US free trade agreement comes into effect on 15 March. This is one of the latest measures laid out by the agriculture ministry.
NGOs warn against corporate influence on trade talks
1-Mar-2012 Radio Australia
The 11th round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP begins in Melbourne, on Thursday. Civil society groups are warning against allowing corporate influence, to drive the talks with outcomes that may disadvantage the poor and vulnerable in those nations. Interview with Patricia Ranald of AFTINET.
Korean deal hits beef exporters
29-Feb-2012 Weekly Times
Australian beef exporters have been caught in the fallout from the US-Korea free trade agreement, which will start next month. The Korean Government has effectively put any discussions on an Australian agreement on hold because, industry sources indicate, the US agreement has created so much angst in Korea.
More than 100 economists call for Trans-Pacific trade deal to allow capital controls to prevent crises
28-Feb-2012 GDAE
In advance of Trans-Pacific trade talks, over 100 economists are sending a letter today urging negotiators to promote global financial stability by allowing the use of capital controls.
APEC business leaders push Asia-Pac FTA
28-Feb-2012 Tax News
The Business Advisory Council of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is focused on taking further steps towards realizing the goal of an integrated Asia Pacific economy, and on liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment, leading ultimately to a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP).
Consultations stalling RP-EU FTA talks
28-Feb-2012 Manila Bulletin
The start of negotiations for the Philippines-EU bilateral free trade agreement has been put on hold as Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo insisted of conducting wider consultations with stakeholders.
Report highlights US concerns about expanding US-New Zealand dairy trade
28-Feb-2012 National Milk Producers Federation
The National Milk Producers Federation has estimated that US dairy farmers could face $20 billion in losses during the first decade of the FTA if US dairy tariffs are fully eliminated for New Zealand’s benefit.
RI, EU begin negotiations on economic partnership
28-Feb-2012 Jakarta Post
Indonesia and the European Union (EU) began negotiations on Monday on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that seeks to eliminate over 95 percent of import tariffs on goods and improve bilateral investment.