bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles


US food giants support free trade deal
Food giants Nestle and Walmart are among 26 signatories to a letter to the US Trade Representative and Department of Agriculture. In it, they warn protecting US special interests in negotiations could cost its exporters free access to other TPP countries’ markets.
Host US under pressure in Asia-Pacific trade talks
Trade negotiators from the United States, Vietnam and six other Asia Pacific nations meet in San Francisco this week for work on a free-trade agreement that US trade officials say could transform the region.
CEPA is yet another step in Indian Expansionism
Concerns over the proposed India-Sri Lanka Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva
Davutoğlu proposes regional trade alliance at TAC meeting
Turkey aims to create a free trade zone without visa restrictions with Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu told the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum (TAC), which began in İstanbul on Thursday.
New deal or no deal!
Forum and rally against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in San Francisco, California, on 14 June 2010
Bruxelles veut aider les produits palestiniens à entrer dans l’UE
"La Commission européenne devrait proposer dans les prochains mois (aux pays de l’UE) d’accorder l’accès en franchise de droit et sans contingent aux exportations palestiniennes à destination de l’UE", a annoncé jeudi le commissaire européen chargé du Commerce Karel De Gucht.
EU to open market fully to Palestinian exports soon
The European Commission plans to open European Union markets fully to Palestinian exports in the coming months to help strengthen the Palestinian economy, the EU trade chief said on Thursday.
Steelworkers object to free trade agreement as report reveals Colombia remains most dangerous for unionists
The International Trade Union Confederation has just announced its annual findings regarding global anti-union violence. Again, Colombia topped this list, accounting for nearly half of all the union killings in the world.
FTA implementation crucial to US pork industry
“We believe that implementation of the US free trade agreement with Korea (KORUS) is the single most important trade issue to the US pork industry,” says Nick Giordano, vice president, international affairs for the National Pork Producers Council.
US must learn some humility
The US government is accused of having double standards in its policies with Korea ― it is trying to further open the local beef market while delaying ratification of the free trade agreement (KORUS-FTA) the two signed.
New FTA policy: Everything or nothing
Unhappy with its free trade agreement (FTA) partners who backtrack on promises to amplify the scope of these agreements with liberalisation of trade in services, the government has decided not to enter into agreements unless talks on services and goods are concluded simultaneously.
Lebanon, Syria Jordan and Turkey to set up FTA
Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria agreed yesterday to set up a free trade zone based on “existing bilateral agreements and practices on free trade and visa exemption” between the parties, adding that Turkey and Lebanon were required to complete a bilateral arrangement before the four-way process could go ahead.
Israel dominates Turkey-Arab forum
Turkey’s prime minister has urged Arab nations to unite and step-up efforts to end Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Arab Maghreb Union to accelerate setting up of free-trade area
The ninth session of trade ministers from the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) ended on Monday in Tripoli with the reaffirmation to accelerate the setting up of a free-trade area within member countries of the organization.
Aquino told: Submit RP-EU trade pact to Senate
The militant fisherfolk alliance Pamalakaya on Wednesday urged Philippine President-elect “Noynoy” Aquino to submit the approved RP-European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to the Philippine Senate for deliberation.
Australian farm leaders reassure Japanese about effects of free trade deal
Masahiko Yamada, Japan’s new agriculture minister, has blogged about how the Australian free trade agreement would destroy Japanese agriculture. Australian farm industry leaders are in Tokyo trying to change his mind.
ECFA cheers, but also worries, foreign investors
Foreign investors will be able to invest in mainland China via Taiwan under the protection of the economic cooperation framework agreement, well ahead of any deal with South Korea, the Taiwanese argue.
Japan aims to finalize EPA with Korea by 2014
Japan’s new cabinet is reportedly aiming to cement financial ties with Korea by concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement or EPA by 2014.
Pakistan needs to meet SAFTA provisions: Indian envoy
Pakistan does not keep in line with the provisions of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) concerning imports from India, said Sharat Sabharwal, High Commissioner of India during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday.
Bangla presses for free-trade deal
Bangladesh wants to hasten a free trade agreement with India to narrow the huge trade gap it suffers with its bigger neighbour.