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More trade caution seen with Kerry, more deals under Bush
2-Nov-2004 Stuff
An election win for Senator John Kerry could make the United States tougher and more cautious on trade, while a victory for President George W Bush would keep the country on the path to more deals, experts say.
Australia optimistic about free trade pact with China
2-Nov-2004 Channel News Asia
Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile said negotiating an FTA with China would be "arguably more important" than the Australia-US free trade deal recently concluded and due to come into operation on January 1.
Korea must choose between FTA and screen quota: US Ambassador
2-Nov-2004 Digital Chosun
US ambassador to Korea Christopher Hill said on Monday that the Korean government and people had to choose between an FTA and Korea’s screen quota system.
Bush won’t dissolve sugar jobs
2-Nov-2004 GFH
Handled with care. That is the best way to describe how the Bush administration has dealt with sugar in America’s international trade agreements.
Uruguay, US sign bilateral trade treaty
1-Nov-2004
Uruguay and the United States signed a bilateral trade agreement Monday to safeguard foreign business investments in each other’s countries while promoting trade and exports.
Japan, S Korea hold free trade talks amidst demos
1-Nov-2004 AP
Japan and South Korea opened a new round of free trade talks in Tokyo as nearly 150 labor union members from the two countries clashed with police during a demonstration to oppose the deal.
US, Andean countries fail to make progress in FTA talks
1-Nov-2004 Xinhuanet
The fifth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru ended Friday without progress in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil. The controversial issues were agriculture and intellectual property.
Sino-ASEAN FTA nears final stage
31-Oct-2004 China Daily
Leaders of China and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries are expected to sign a package of free trade deals late next month, enabling the two parties to formally implement a China-ASEAN free trade area (FTA) starting from 2005.
Philippine gov’t reports big progress in talks with Japan
30-Oct-2004 INQ7.net
The Philippines reported significant progress in talks to sign a free-trade pact by the end of the year with Japan.
US concern poses threat to free trade deal
29-Oct-2004
The United States’ continuing concern about Australian laws is threatening to delay the countries’ free-trade agreement.
Japan: FTA talks with 3 nations at crucial stage
29-Oct-2004 Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan’s ongoing negotiations over free trade agreements with Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand are entering a crucial stage.
Philippines: No systematic framework for FTA negotiations yet
28-Oct-2004 ABS-CBN
The Philippines has yet to adopt a systematic framework that would govern its negotiations for bilateral free-trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries, according to two economic analysts.
Bangladesh to sign free trade agreement with Morocco
28-Oct-2004 Xinhua
Bangladesh is set to sign its first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) - with Morocco - despite reservations by its own research wing.
EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement: Profits for a few, threats for the majority of our people
28-Oct-2004 TNI
Declaration from the Social Movements and Civil Society organisationss from the Mercosu
Bilateral agreements and a TRIPS-plus world: the Chile-US FTA
26-Oct-2004
In these issues papers, the author examines a subject of importance in the developing international intellectual property regime and highlights the key issues arising. The topics have been chosen following consultations with negotiators from developing countries and respond to their concerns.
Demonstrations against Andean FTA continue
26-Oct-2004 Radiomundoreal
The Ecuadorian indigenous movement ECUARUNARI has called for a “great march” on Wednesday 27 October 2004 to protest against the negotiations carried out by Ecuador, Colombia and Peru with United States in order to sign a free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Malaysia, Pakistan plan free trade talks
26-Oct-2004 AFP
Malaysia and Pakistan have agreed to start negotiations that could lead to a free trade agreement.
Merry-go round
26-Oct-2004 Lanka Business Online
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are hoping to have another go at the belated free trade agreement between the two countries in November.
South Korea: Indefinite general strike planned
25-Oct-2004 GLW
Korean trade union and social organisations have worked together in recent months to stop the Japan-Korea FTA, arguing that it will result in the abolition of more regulations protecting workers rights, and more privatisation of public services. They also say the average citizens’ access to medical treatment and drugs will also be undermined by the FTA’s excuse to “protect” intellectual property rights.
NCAER slams India-Thailand FTA
23-Oct-2004 Indian Express
Economic think-tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) has questioned the usefulness of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which India signed with Thailand.