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geopolitics

Calls for more flexible US position in free trade talks
21-Apr-2005 IPS
During the ninth round of negotiations of a free trade agreement between the United States and three South American nations in the Andean region — Colombia, Peru and Ecuador — Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo called for ”greater flexibility” on the part of Washington.
Algeria offers business opportunities for the US private sector
16-Apr-2005 US-Algeria Business Council
The U.S.-Algeria Business Council is working to bring U.S. investment and trade to Algeria to bolster Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s strategic decision to integrate his country into the global economy.
Bush’s pointsman has his job cut out
21-Mar-2005
After weeks of uncertainty, President George W Bush has nominated as US Trade Representative Rob Portman, a Republican Congressman from Ohio, better known for his loyalty to the President than for any experience in international trade negotiations.
Egypt: Privatizing the Cabinet
21-Mar-2005 Business Monthly
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rachid Mohamed Rachid is bringing three decades of private sector experience to his post, taking on the twin challenge of modernizing industry and expanding foreign trade.
Corporate conquest, global geopolitics: Intellectual property rights and bilateral investment treaties
17-Mar-2005 Seedling
Examines how bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements which contain specific investment provisions reflect geopolitical concerns and redefine rights and privileges for transnational corporations, including with respect to commercial control over biodiversity through intellectual property rights.
Gulf Emirate says there are no political strings attached to free trade talks with Washington
8-Mar-2005 Middle East Online
The United Arab Emirates said on Monday it was not committing itself to any changes in foreign policy by entering into talks on a free trade pact with the United States. The statement followed reports that Washington would ask Abu Dhabi to drop a trade boycott of Israel during the negotiations, which kick off here on Tuesday.
Gloomy trade outlook
24-Feb-2005 UPI
Economic considerations are well down the list of reasons why bilateral trade agreements get negotiated
The US-Jordan FTA: Defogging the Myth
31-Dec-2004
The purpose of this article is to give an account of the history and some provisions of the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement and assess the extent to which the FTA provides a viable “model” to the proposed US-Middle East Free Trade Agreement.
US-Bahrain trade deal exposes GCC chinks
28-Dec-2004 Daily Star
The US-Bahrain deal undermines the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) as a collective body.
Amid protests, Jordan and Israel sign key trade accord
24-Dec-2004 Khaleej Times
Israel and Jordan agreed yesterday to tear down many of their remaining trade barriers in a deal that paves the way for the Jewish state’s first free trade accord with an Arab state by the end of 2010.
Turkey, Syria sign free trade agreement
23-Dec-2004 Tehran Times
Turkey and Syria signed a free trade agreement on Wednesday and discussed how to keep Iraq united and stable despite the violence sweeping their neighbor.
Japan adopts FTA policy focusing on partners in Asia
22-Dec-2004 Japan Times
The government on Tuesday approved a basic plan to promote free-trade agreements, prioritizing accords with Asian trading partners to help build an East Asian community. It also adopted a set of 12 criteria to choose potential FTA partners, envisioning future negotiations with trading partners outside East Asia.
US-Taiwan free trade agreement in pipeline?
16-Dec-2004 IPS
In last week’s parliamentary elections, Taiwan’s opposition party won a surprise victory which could spell trouble for a bilateral FTA with the United States.
EU and Syria initial long-awaited association pact
20-Oct-2004 EU Business
The European Union and Syria have initialled an association agreement that commits both sides to work towards free trade — as well as against weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.
US business pushing for Middle East FTA
8-Oct-2004 IPS
Major US corporations are joining forces to lobby for a US-Middle East Free Trade Agreement (MEFTA) that President George W Bush proposed in 2003.
USTR outlines importance of US-Andean trade accord
4-Oct-2004 US State Department
The entry into force of a U.S. free-trade agreement with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru will open important markets for the United States, bolster the economies and counternarcotics efforts in the Andean nations, and should be concluded in a timely fashion, says Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Peter Allgeier.
How free trade changed us
4-Oct-2004 Toronto Star
Jobs are only one part of the trade equation. As the U.S. chips away at Canada’s economic independence, we’re slowly losing our sovereignty, says David Orchard
Japan needs more FTAs
20-Sep-2004 Japan Today
In the face of the rapidly growing Chinese economy and a rising number of free trade agreements, Japan is scrambling to reinforce its flagging leadership status in Asia by accelerating FTA negotiations with regional trading partners.
US offers investment treaty to Pakistan
15-Sep-2004 Hi Pakistan
The United States has offered Pakistan a bilateral investment treaty, provided the country enforces intellectual property rights, anti-money laundering law and creates conducive regulatory environment, says Alan P Larson, US Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs.
China-ASEAN free trade area: Origins, developments and strategic motivations
14-Sep-2004
This 2003 paper is a political study of the origins, developments and motivations on the Chinese side of the FTA, demonstrating its political, strategic, intellectual and economic basis.