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  1. Negotiations

Peru

Peru is one of the Latin American countries which, within its neoliberal economic policy approach, has gone the furthest in pursuing FTAs in recent years.

In addition to the FTA with the US and negotiation of an Association Agreement with the EU, Peru signed an FTA with Canada in January 2007.

In November 2008, it concluded negotiations on an FTA with China. Many analysts think that China’s strategy is to use Peru as a Latin American beachhead for its products.

In its frenetic race to sign FTAs, Peru is carrying on negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA, consisting of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), Australia, India, Morocco, Israel and Russia. In addition, at the last APEC meeting in November 2008, it initiated its integration into the P4/P4 (Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership).

Despite his anti-FTA discourse, Ollanta Humala, the new Peruvian president since July 2011, has been carrying out the same policy that was carried out by Alan Garcia.

In the course of 2011, Peru signed FTAs with Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala and EFTA. In 2012, it is expected that the FTAs with the EU, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica will come into force.

last update: May 2012

Peru: Amazonian indigenous people rise up
3-May-2009 GLW
“Since April 9, an uprising has been occurring in the Peruvian countryside involving the Amazonian indigenous peoples from 1350 communities and a diversity of ethnicities”, said legendary peasant leader, Hugo Blanco in an important message. A translation of Blanco’s appeal for solidarity with this so-far mostly unreported struggle is printed below.
China, Peru sign free trade agreement
29-Apr-2009 Earth Times
China and Peru on Tuesday signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that the Chinese government hailed as an "important signal" of closer international cooperation amid the global financial crisis.
Peru, Japan to hold 1st round of FTA negotiations on May 25
25-Apr-2009 LIP
The first round of negotiations for the upcoming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Peru and Japan will take place from May 25th to 29th in Lima. However, based on the previous agreements signed by Japan, Peru cannot negotiate all products.
Controversy surrounds Peru-Chile free trade agreement
5-Mar-2009 Santiago Times
The Peruvian opponents’ principal argument is that Congress should have approved the FTA, as decreed by article 56 of the Constitution.
Peru-Chile free trade pact to take effect Sunday
24-Feb-2009 Forbes
A free trade pact between Peru and Chile will take effect this week, a sign that two of the most open economies in South America are deepening their commitment to trade to help weather the global economic crisis.
Japanese delegation arrives in February to evaluate start of FTA with Peru
31-Jan-2009 Andina
In the first two weeks of February, an official Japanese delegation will arrive in Peru to evaluate the beginning and modalities of a possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both countries
Peru expects to conclude free trade agreement with Mexico by summer 2009
27-Nov-2008 LIP
Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister, Mercedes Aráoz, confirmed today that Peru expects to finalize a free trade agreement with Mexico by summer next year.
Peru, South Korea to announce start of FTA negotiations
20-Nov-2008
Peru and South Korea will announce the start of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) during South Korean President Lee Myung-bak’s stay in Peru, Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia said Thursday.
Chinese ’Bill Gates’ booed by angry Peruvian textile workers
20-Nov-2008 AFP
Jack Ma, a Chinese web entrepreneur sometimes called his country’s "Bill Gates", was Wednesday jeered by angry Peruvian textile workers who saw him as the negative personification of a China-Peru free trade agreement.
Peru hoping to sign FTA with Japan by 2011
20-Nov-2008 Japan Times
Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde said Tuesday the country is hoping to achieve a bilateral free-trade agreement with Japan by 2011. But he declined to specify when the country wants to launch negotiations.