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Panama

Panama’s president-elect to push US trade deal
5-May-2009 Reuters
Finalizing a free-trade deal with the United States is a major goal for Panamanian President-elect Ricardo Martinelli, but the supermarket tycoon rejects US accusations that the country is a tax haven.
New report: Panama FTA would undermine US efforts to stop offshore tax-haven abuse and regulate risky financial conduct
2-May-2009 Public Citizen
The trade deal would leave tax shelters for AIG and narcotraffickers intact while removing existing US tools to combat tax evasion and other financial crimes
Lawmaker moves to delay free-trade pacts
23-Apr-2009 WSJ
A Democratic senator from Ohio is moving to further tie up pending US free-trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea, setting up a potential clash between President Barack Obama and some members of his party.
Panama-AIG outrage on all fronts
28-Mar-2009 Eyes on Trade
Anger is brimming over in diverse corridors over the Bush hangover agreement with Panama, and the new rights it would give to AIG-linked bodies in Panama to sue US taxpayers.
AIG suing taxpayers for its own Panama tax dodging
21-Mar-2009 Eyes on trade
Under the Panama FTA, AIG-Panama would be able to sue the US taxpayer for cash damages by claiming common regulatory actions were "tantamount" to an ("indirect") "expropriation."
US lawmaker details obstacles to free trade deals
12-Mar-2009 Reuters
Panama, Colombia and South Korea need to resolve a number of outstanding concerns before Congress will approve free trade pacts with each of those countries, a US lawmaker said on Wednesday.
In the United States, 350 civil groups oppose FTA
9-Mar-2009 La Estrella
Around 350 US national, state and local groups from religious to environmental sectors, representing a combined total membership of 18 million, sent a letter to the House of Representatives asking lawmakers not to ratify the free trade agreement between Panama and the United States, insisting that Panama’s economy thrives on banking secrecy and money laundering
US lawmakers rally against Panama FTA
4-Mar-2009 Panama Star
54 democrat congressmen sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to forego the Free Trade Agreement with Panama, because it has refused to sign any tax information exchange treaties.
Obama to push Panama accord, work on Colombia, Korea
2-Mar-2009 Bloomberg
President Barack Obama plans to ask Congress to approve a long-delayed free-trade agreement with Panama and work to resolve remaining issues with the South Korea and Colombia accords so they can be ratified.
FTA between Panama and Honduras takes effect
20-Jan-2009 Florida Shipper
The free trade agreement between Panama and Honduras took effect on Jan. 9. The agreement has an impact on 80 percent of the goods traded between the countries.
Canada-Panama FTA on track to be signed
19-Jan-2009 Panama Star
There have been important advances in respect to the negotiation of goods and the access to loan and investment services a spokesman of the Panamanian Commerce and Industry Ministry.
Condoleezza Rice visit to Panama sparks protest in capital
10-Dec-2008 Tico Times
A visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sparked protest yesterday in the streets by opponents of free trade with the North American giant, a subject Rice is set to discuss here in a conference today.
Panama, Canada begin second round of FTA talks
9-Dec-2008 People’s Daily
Panama and Canada on Monday began a second round of talks in their effort to reach a free trade agreement (FTA).
Trade progress pleases Panama
6-Nov-2008
A delegation of Panamanian trade officials was in Ottawa last week to launch free-trade negotiations with the Canadian government. The first round of negotiations came after a successful "exploratory process," including one meeting in Ottawa in May and another in Panama City in July. The Canadians also undertook a month-long consultation with Canada’s provinces and territories as well as with businesses, industry associations and the public.
Costa Rica and Panama ratify free trade agreement
28-Oct-2008
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly ratified in second and final debate a free trade agreement with Panama that will open up the commercial channels between the neighboring nations.
Panama’s president continues push for free trade pact passage
17-Sep-2008 Dow Jones Newswires
A day ahead of a scheduled meeting with US President George W Bush, Panamanian President Martin Torrijos continued pushing Tuesday for approval of a free trade deal between the countries. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. also vowed to continue fighting for passage of the agreement and pledged to continue that fight for years, if necessary.
Republicans prod Pelosi for action on trade deals
11-Sep-2008 Reuters
The Bush administration, Republican lawmakers and business groups pressed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday to allow votes on free trade pacts with Colombia, Panama and South Korea by the end of the year.
Bush won’t press Panama trade vote before Colombia
3-Sep-2008 Reuters
President George W. Bush does not want Congress to vote on a free trade agreement with Panama before it votes on a similar deal with Colombia, Bush administration officials said on Tuesday after a major obstacle to approval of the Panama agreement was removed.
Truck drivers strike at Panama/Costa Rica border
14-Jul-2008 Inside Costa Rica
The first major disruption of the nine-month-old Costa Rican-Panamanian free trade agreement came on July 6, when approximately 200 truck drivers from Panama, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries paralyzed cargo crossing from Paso Canoas, Panama to Cerro Punta, Costa Rica.
Bush pushes Congress for trade deal
24-May-2008
A concrete mixer. Crates of cauliflower. A Harley-Davidson. Chunks of cheese. President Bush used a White House lawn stacked with props yesterday to press Congress to approve free-trade pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.