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China envoy’s Taiwan visit stirs backlash
22-Dec-2009 AP
A senior Chinese envoy’s visit to Taiwan for trade talks has sparked a backlash among critics who fear the Taiwanese government’s China-friendly policies are opening the door to eventual unification with the mainland.
Washington awaits KL’s decision on TPP
21-Dec-2009 Bernama
The United States is still awaiting Malaysia’s decision on whether to join the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations.
Cosmetics association asks for exemption from FTA
21-Dec-2009 Jakarta Globe
Indonesian cosmetics and herbal medicine producers are calling for an exemption for their products from the Asean-China free trade agreement. “It is not because we are not ready. The question is our products are even now having to compete with illegal Chinese imports which are usually cheaper but of questionable quality.”
Thousands protest in Taiwan over China trade talks
21-Dec-2009 Reuters
Thousands of people marched in Taiwan on Sunday to protest against warming ties with political rival China, a day before Beijing’s top negotiator arrives on the island for talks on a landmark free trade pact.
Taiwanese ire at looming free trade with China
21-Dec-2009 Press TV
Thousands of protesters have swarmed the streets of the central Taiwanese town of Taichung, promoting resistance against pending trade relations with China.
Panama advances on free trade dialogue with European countries
21-Dec-2009 Xinhua
Panama will negotiate a free trade agreement with members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Panaman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries said on Sunday.
Peru seeks to close free trade agreement with EU by Jan. 2010
19-Dec-2009 LIP
"I think negotiations with the European Union will be completed by the end of January 2010," pointed out the Peruvian trade minister, who added that only two or three issues are still yet to solve by both part’s ministers.
Japan, Mongolia agree to study possibility of bilateral FTA
18-Dec-2009 Kyodo
Japan and Mongolia on Thursday agreed to hold working-level talks to study whether the two countries should conclude a bilateral free trade agreement, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
Greens on FTA with Japan
16-Dec-2009 Big Pond News
Australia should not agree to a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan unless the Asian nation stops whaling in the Southern Ocean, the Australian Greens say.
South Korea, Japan to hold free trade negotiations next week
16-Dec-2009 Bernama
South Korea and Japan will hold the fourth round of their bilateral free trade talks next week in Seoul next week, Seoul’s trade ministry said Wednesday
US think tank admits NAFTA failed Mexico
16-Dec-2009 Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an influential Washington DC-based think tank, released “Rethinking Trade Policy for Development: Lessons From Mexico Under NAFTA,” challenging what the report notes is a widespread assumption in the US “that Mexico was the undeniable winner from NAFTA.”
China, Norway start sixth round of FTA talks
16-Dec-2009 Global Times
Negotiators from China and Norway started in Oslo on Tuesday morning the sixth round of free trade area(FTA) talks, which will last till Thursday.
Taiwan’s opposition may besiege Presidential Office to protest talks
16-Dec-2009 Taiwan News
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party is planning to muster 100,000 people to take part in a march on Dec. 20 in the central city to voice the party’s opposition to the proposed cross-strait trade agreement, known as an economic cooperation framework agreement.
Taiwan fears China trade deal could cost jobs
16-Dec-2009 Radio Australia
Unions in Taiwan say they fear there could be huge job losses if a proposed free trade agreement is signed with mainland China. Talks on the deal are scheduled for next week between senior officials from Beijing and Taipei.
US preparing to revisit trade pact with South Korea
16-Dec-2009 Reuters
US officials are preparing for talks with South Korea to address autos and other concerns that have blocked approval of a bilateral free trade agreement, the top US trade official said on Tuesday.
Jakarta opts not to confront China on trade
16-Dec-2009 FT
The Indonesian government will not attempt to renegotiate a free trade agreement between Southeast Asian nations and China that will go into effect on January 1, but will request a delay in eliminating import tariffs on more than 300 Chinese products, officials said on Tuesday.
US wants Japan, Malaysia, South Korea to join talks
15-Dec-2009 Bloomberg
The US wants Japan, Malaysia and South Korea to join negotiations for a regional free-trade agreement in Asia, Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.
Obama tells Congress US will pursue Asia trade
15-Dec-2009 Bloomberg
“TPP is about re-establishing the role of the US in the Asian region,” Calman Cohen, president of the Washington-based Emergency Committee for American Trade, told reporters Dec. 11. “If they get it right, it can be a real shot in the arm.”
RI-China FTA rules unlikely to be delayed: China says
15-Dec-2009 Jakarta Post
While local industries are seeking a delay in the full implementation of the free trade agreement (FRA) with China, to start in January, China says this stands little chance of succeeding.
Nigeria & Thailand negotiate bilateral trade agreement for rice production
15-Dec-2009 Pattaya Daily News
Recently the Thai Commerce Minister visited Nigeria were he discussed the proposal of a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement — primarily involving agricultural development — with the Nigerian Minister for Commerce and Industry.