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sovereignty | democracy

European Parliament calls for suspension of US data-sharing
12-Mar-2014 Telecompaper
The European Parliament has called for a suspension of agreements with the US on sharing of private data in response to the revelations of wide-scale communications surveillance by the US National Security Agency. The resolution also threatens to suspend EU talks on a bilateral trade deal if the mass surveillance does not stop
US pushes for greater transparency in EU business regulation
24-Feb-2014 FT
The US is using transatlantic trade negotiations to push for a fundamental change in the way business regulations are drafted in the EU to allow business groups greater input earlier in the process.
The TTIP: How a new secret ’trade’ treaty could put the world’s biggest firms beyond government control
21-Jan-2014 International Business Times
The US/EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is intended to set global trade rules, bypassing the World Trade Organisation which has up to now allowed developing countries to resist such an agreement.
Editorial: Time to renegotiate the KORUS FTA
7-Feb-2013 Hankyoreh
It has finally been revealed in Korea that the biggest reason that the implementation of the low-carbon vehicle incentive system has been delayed to 2015 was the South Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA). Concerns that the KORUS FTA would endanger not only legal but also legislative sovereignty and jeopardize Korea’s ability to create and enforce public policies are being realized.
“Free trade agreements are, to some extent, an expression of neo-colonialism”
3-Jul-2012 Eurotribune
Interview with Lourdes Castro, chief officer of Grupo SUR and representative of Alop, Aprodev, Cifca and Oidhaco.
TPPA ’threatens national sovereignty’
21-Oct-2011 IT Wire
Despite the secrecy, there are some intrepid souls who are mounting opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership. Interview with one of them, Jane Kelsey, a professor of law at the University of Auckland and long-term academic activist in the area of free trade and investment agreements.
UNASUR protects the region against the international crisis
20-Aug-2011 Minga Informativa de Movimientos Sociales
The Union of South American Nations resolved today to put in place a six-point Plan of Action to protect the region from the international crisis that is shaking Europe and the United States.
No guarantees for NZ policies in trade talks
8-Dec-2010
The Government is offering no guarantees that New Zealand policies will not be changed to accommodate United States concerns in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
Debate urged on TPP text
8-Dec-2010
If the proposed nine-country Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is one "for the 21st century" as negotiators are calling it, its text should be open so New Zealanders can see what their Government is planning to agree to, say groups concerned about the talks in Auckland.
Taiwan parliament warns over China trade pact
28-Jul-2010 AFP
China may use a trade pact with Taiwan to push for its political goal of reunification, the island’s parliament warned in a report on Wednesday.
The Caracas Manifesto reaffirms the agreement to strengthen the sovereignty of the people
21-Apr-2010 ADITAL
"The time has come for us to take on an Economic Plan that places greater emphasis on projects and transnational companies, the People’s Trade Treaty, the sucre and the Bank of Alba as the foundational pillars for a common economic area."
Premier pledges no Chinese workers under trade pact
7-Mar-2009 Radio Taiwan International
In response to fierce criticism over a trade pact the government may sign with China, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan has pledged that Taiwan’s sovereignty will not be affected by such a deal and that no Chinese workers will be introduced to Taiwan.
Activists demand referendum on CECA proposal
26-Feb-2009 Taipei Times
Alliance of Referendum for Taiwan representative Tsay Ting-kuei said that if Taiwan signs a CECA under the “one China” principle, the agreement would symbolize Taiwan’s surrender to China.
US trade policies limit 52 governments’ use of capital controls to fight financial crisis
13-Feb-2009 IPS
As the global economy descends further into crisis, a new report finds that U.S. trade and investment agreements with 52 countries have removed one tool that has proved effective in past crises: capital controls.
JPEPA: The Romulo-Koumora exchange of notes
9-Oct-2008 PhilStar
The basic norm of international law is that a party to a treaty cannot invoke its internal law, including its Constitution, as a justification for failure to perform its obligation under the treaty. Therefore, JPEPA will prevail over the Philippine Constitution.
Ecuador’s new constitution and international arbitration
6-Oct-2008 International Law Reporter
Ecuador’s new constitution provides that Ecuador will not enter into international agreements under which Ecuador would have to cede jurisdiction to international arbitral tribunals in contractual or commercial matters between the State and individuals or corporations.
Leave it and save RP sovereignty, senators urged on JPEPA
8-Sep-2008
As Sen. Miriam Santiago advises opposition senators to “love or leave” the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), research group IBON Foundation urges the Philippine Senate to choose the non-ratification of the deal and help reclaim the country’s economic sovereignty.
Peru: indigenous uprising claims victory — for now
22-Aug-2008 WW4 Report
Indigenous groups in Peru ended more than a week of militant protests Aug. 20 at key energy sites after lawmakers agreed to overturn a new land law issued by President Alan García, which sought to ease corporate access to communal territories. García had issued the law by decree earlier under special powers Congress granted him to bring Peruvian law into compliance with a new free-trade deal with the US. A congressional commission voted to revoke the law Aug. 19, and floor vote is expected later this week.
Japan agrees to amend trade treaty
18-Jun-2008 Manila Standard
Japan is willing to sign a side agreement with the Philippines to quiet concerns about provisions in a free-trade treaty deemed inconsistent with or violate the Philippine Constitution, an official said yesterday.
Sovereignty or solidarity? Pacific changes tack as Europe wins first round in trade talks
9-Jun-2008 Islands Business
Sovereignty must be partially surrendered if Pacific islands countries are to maintain solidarity in trade negotiations. Pacific countries who are members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific bloc of states had a rude realisation of this basic and age-old truth in their on-going negotiations with the European Commission for an economic partnership agreement.