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geopolitics


UAE to invest in US but port row may spook others
Opposition in the United States to a UAE firm taking over US ports will not deter the Arab state from more investments there, but could make other countries divert funds to Asia and Europe, the UAE’s economy minister said on Wednesday.
Pact could mature alliance
The relationship between Korea and the United States until now was a firm security alliance to prevent the spread of communism. The announcement of free trade agreement negotiations is an expression of a will to establish a more developed general alliance, not only in ideology and military on a security level, but also in economic gains.
Present capacity and future development of the Andean struggle against the FTA
The region-wide campaign against the US-Andean free trade agreement (FTA) made important, if partial, achievements in 2005. The FTA negotiation has been delayed thanks to social pressure, but it has not been stopped.
‘Thaksinisation’ strains Thai-US relations
When Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went to Washington DC last September to meet President George W Bush, they agreed that the Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA) would be completed by this June. At a subsequent meeting with Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, he also asked for US assistance in southern Thailand. Obviously there was a clear link between the trade and defence policies of the two countries.
EU proposals to Iran (summary 2005)
On 5 August 2005, the E3/EU passed to Iran a "Framework for a Long-term Agreement". Under it, the E3/EU would work for an early conclusion of negotiations on a draft EU/Iran Trade & Co-operation Agreement.
China, Mali sign economic cooperation agreement
China will take further steps to encourage investments in Mali, while Mali will strive to increase the direct export of cotton and other products to China.
Free trade agreements: Impact on US trade and implications for US trade policy
FTAs are now a significant U.S. trade policy tool. Their rapid emergence raises some important policy issues for the US Congress as it considers implementing legislation and monitors negotiations as part of its oversight responsibilities.
SAFTA to allow direct trade with Pakistan
India and Pakistan will be able to trade directly without the help of third-country destinations once the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) comes into force from January 1.
Israel, Arab world engage in hidden trade
Staff members at a Riyadh hospital got a surprise when they looked at the fine print on the paper cups they were using.
Chilean FM breaks FTA date with Japan
Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker suspended Tuesday a visit to Japan to discuss a free trade agreement as a result of Peruvian ex-President Alberto Fujimori’s arrival in the country, local media said on Tuesday.
US official urges Taiwan to do more on FTA
"The ball is in Taiwan’s court. It’s not enough simply to say that we want an FTA."
GCC-EU free trade talks make progress on issues
The European Union and the GCC wound up talks on a long stalled free trade deal yesterday without agreement on opening up the region’s lucrative services sector.
Venezuela to revise undertakings with countries signatories of FTA
Minister of Integration and Foreign Trade Gustavo Márquez declared Tuesday that in the event that the parties to the Andean Community decide to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States, Venezuela will have to revise trade arrangements with those nations.
President Chen urges US, Japan to consider FTAs with Taiwan
President Chen Shui-bian on Tuesday urged the United States and Japan to consider signing free trade agreements with Taiwan, saying that only by having such agreements in place can the island’s economy stand without heavily depending on China and can security and peace in the Asia-Pacific region be maintained.
China-ASEAN FTA steps into implementation period
With cooperation between China and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) deepening, the construction of a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) has entered a full-spectrum cooperation period, said Chong Quan, spokesman for China’s Commerce Ministry.
Trade accord with US
Security has been so dominant in the past in Seoul’s relations with Washington, its sole military ally, that other crucial agenda items have often failed to draw adequate attention from top South Korean policymakers.
Bahrain MPs, govt clash over Israel trade plans
Bahrain’s parliament yesterday rejected a decision by the government to lift a ban on Israeli goods as part of a trade deal with the United States.
War support could win US contracts
Australia’s support of the US in Iraq could help local companies crack the huge US government contract market, an American consultant on the US-Australia FTA says.
One step closer
Oman came to the closing stages of its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US on October 3, after talks on the final details closed successfully. Omani and US officials say the final signing should now take place early in 2006.
Bahrain-US FTA backed
Business giants in the US are backing the Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain as it comes under scrutiny in hearings at the Senate and House of Representatives in Washington.