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Panama

Panama plays US off against China in FTA talks, but has limited hand
20-Oct-2022 Dialogo Chino
Panama’s decision to restart negotiations towards a free trade agreement with China appear to be an attempt to pressure the US’ own trade agenda.
Panama President aims to restart China trade talks immediately
20-May-2022 Bloomberg
Panama President Laurentino Cortizo said he intends to immediately restart negotiations with China over a free trade agreement, after conversations were put on hold during the pandemic.
Groups to USTR, USDA: Panama must fully implement trade pact
21-Apr-2022 DRGNews
Panama submitted a formal request to revise the agricultural tariff elimination terms of the US FTA. US agriculture groups urge the Biden administration to oppose any changes to agricultural tariffs, TRQs or safeguards.
Panama seeks review of US trade pact, flags certain farm goods
17-Mar-2022 National Post
Panama said it had requested a review of the terms and conditions of a trade agreement in place with the United States since 2012.
Qatar faces $6 billion arbitration claim linked to ruling family member
15-Feb-2022 Forbes
The Qatari government is facing a $6 billion international arbitration claim stemming from a case against a member of the country’s ruling family.
S. Korea-Central America FTA set for full implementation in March
25-Feb-2021 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea said its free trade agreement (FTA) with a group of Central American nations will be fully implemented starting next month as Panama completed its domestic procedures.
Bridgestone V. Panama
27-Aug-2020 Global Legal Chronicle
The US subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation lost a $20 million plus arbitration claim against the Republic of Panama filed by under the US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.
S. Korea, Panama hold policy consultations on bilateral ties, trade
23-Jan-2020 Yonhap
South Korea signed the FTA with Panama and the four Central American countries — Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador — which have already finished the domestic procedures for the agreement.
Israel-Panama free trade agreement enters into force
6-Jan-2020 Jerusalem Post
A free trade agreement between Israel and Panama entered into force on January 1, granting preferential market access for goods and aiming to eliminate trade barriers between the countries.
China’s construction binge spreads to Americas, rattles US
4-Apr-2019 AP
China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders since the 19th century have seen as off-limits to other powers.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its two Latin American gateways
18-Feb-2019 Clyde & Co
Chile and Panama offer China two important physical entry points into Latin America. Chile features an attractive legal framework for the protection of Chinese investments in the country. Panama is following suit. A ripple effect in the region is foreseeable.
Panama and China start FTA third negotiation round
10-Oct-2018 Prensa Latina
The third negotiation round will aim to advance in barriers and the facilitation of trade, customs procedures, intellectual property and electronic trade.
Panama launches free trade talks with China after ending Taiwan recognition
9-Jul-2018 Foreign Brief
Panamanian and Chinese officials will launch the first round of trade negotiations in Panama City with the aim of eventually inking a free trade agreement.
Panama’s Trade Minister says FTA with China will benefit many sectors
14-Jun-2018 Herald Tribune
Panama’s trade and industry minister hopes that a free trade agreement between Panama and China will especially benefit the infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, energy, tourism and e-commerce sectors.
Trump Organization pressures Varela
10-Apr-2018 La Prensa
A letter sent by the Trump Organization’s lawyers reminded President Varela of Panama’s obligations under a 1983 treaty that protects the rights of investors from the United States.
S. Korea, five central American countries to discuss cooperation
19-Feb-2018 Yonhap
The officials will likely discuss the impact that the trade agreement could have on their economic and business relations.
China, Panama to begin talks on free-trade deal in June 2018
8-Dec-2017 Reuters
Panama and China will begin negotiations in June 2018 to sign a free-trade deal, consolidating a relationship that has strengthened after the Central American nation ditched ties with Taiwan.
Parliament debates Panama involvement in secret trade pact
23-Aug-2017 Prensa Latina
Parliamentary debate heats up in Panama concerning the country’s involvement in alleged secret talks for a Trade in Services Agreement between 23 members of the World Trade Organization, including the European Union.
S. Korea tentatively signs FTA with 5 Central American countries
13-Mar-2017 KBS
South Korea and a group of Central American countries have tentatively signed a free trade agreement.
Why the Panama Papers should be a US election issue
6-Apr-2016 The Guardian
"Panama is a world leader when it comes to allowing large corporations to evade US taxes. And the Panama free trade agreement would make this bad situation much worse," Sanders warned in 2011.