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Indonesia, EU seek ’ambitious’ free trade agreement
15-Jun-2011
Indonesia and the European Union (EU) have agreed to commence talks on an “ambitious” free trade agreement (FTA), as both parties seek to boost two-way trade and the EU’s investments in Indonesia.
Exclusive: EU-Mercosur trade talks nearing stalemate
15-Jun-2011 Reuters
Talks to create a massive free trade zone between Europe and South America are in danger of falling apart, hit by the euro zone debt crisis and differences over agricultural subsidies and other core issues.
Humala: Peru not ready for Mercosur
15-Jun-2011 UPI
Peruvian President-elect Ollanta Humala has gone on record ruling out an early push for membership of the Mercosur trade bloc for his country’s emerging economy but leaving the door open for a political tie with the group.
Strong Lankan campaign against CEPA agreement begins today
15-Jun-2011 Sunday Times
A spokesman for the anti-CEPA group, Managing Director Multichemi Group Samantha Kumarasinghe said that CEPA is bound to cause serious harm to Sri Lanka. According to him the Indian authorities have consulted around 1000 Indian economists on CEPA. But in Sri Lanka’s case it was the opposite, he alleged.
Activists protest possible Colombia trade deal
14-Jun-2011 ABC
Religious and peace activists are demanding that President Obama keep a campaign promise to oppose a trade deal with a South American nation.
US irked by delay on TPP decision
14-Jun-2011 Kyodo
The US government voiced strong displeasure with Japan last month for postponing a decision on whether to join negotiations for a US-led Pacific free-trade accord, sources said Monday.
Europe links Indian FTA with Kashmir solution
14-Jun-2011 The Nation
In a significant development, the European Parliament has linked the Kashmir dispute with the signing of the EU’s proposed Free Trade Agreement with India.
African mega-treaty ’to funnel free-trade fortunes into SA’
14-Jun-2011 SAPA
The planned creation of a 26-nation African Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) will draw industrial investment to South Africa by making it a springboard for low-duty access to other parts of the continent, trade and industry director general Lionel October said on Monday.
FTA to expand market for Zimbabwe goods - Ncube
11-Jun-2011
Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube says if negotiations for the Common Market for East and Southern Africa - East African Community - South African Development Corporation Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) are successfully completed, Zimbabwean goods and commodities will find greater markets on the continent.
Peru-EFTA FTA to come into effect on July 1
11-Jun-2011
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Peru and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) -consisting on Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway- will come into effect on July 1, Peru’s Executive branch noted Friday.
Fishing pact loses EU millions in Morocco
11-Jun-2011 Reuters
A politically divisive fishing pact between Morocco and the European Union has been costing Europe millions of euros a year and could deplete Morocco’s fish stocks, according to a report.
Critics call trade pact lose-lose deal for Colombian labour
10-Jun-2011 IPS
Two days ago, on Jun. 7, Ana Fabricia Cordoba was killed in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood of Medellin, Colombia. Her assassination coincides with renewed efforts by free-trade advocates in Washington to pressure the US Congress to pass the long-debated US-Colombia FTA.
Philip Morris takes Uruguay to international court because of tobacco-ban policy
9-Jun-2011
One of the world’s biggest tobacco companies is launching a claim against Uruguay for considering the country’s legislation commercially damaging to the company. Philip Morris corporation has filed a claim at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), a World Bank branch.
Now, a South Asia Forum to boost Saarc
9-Jun-2011
The last summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc), last month in Thimphu, had mandated creation of a South Asia Forum, consisting of diverse stakeholders from all member-countries to generate ideas to further links. This is now taking shape.
Uruguay considers China a ‘strategic partner’ and supports a Beijing-Mercosur trade accord
9-Jun-2011
Uruguay sees China as a ‘strategic partner’ and has kept good relations with Beijing since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1988, said Uruguayan Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro, a former ambassador to China from 2007-2009. Almagro made the statement as Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping begun his official visit to Uruguay.
Pharmac trade row heralds wider threat
9-Jun-2011
Pharmac is being targeted by US drug companies as trade negotiations continue with the United States.
Canada still seeks reversal on seal ban
9-Jun-2011
The Canadian government will not withdraw a challenge at the World Trade Organization despite a call from the European Union to abandon the fight over a ban on seal products, an official said Wednesday.
Trade deal a gamble for municipalities
9-Jun-2011
Last weekend, municipal councillors from across Canada met in Halifax for the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention. On the agenda were infrastructure renewal, how to best deliver social services, and how cities should confront climate change. But if you were following the FCM’s Twitter hashtag Saturday morning, you’ll have seen that trade was perhaps the most controversial topic of discussion, namely the Canada-EU free trade agreement.
Machinists union launches fair trade campaign on Facebook
9-Jun-2011
Countering GOP demands for the passage of three seriously-flawed trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) today launched a targeted, informational ad campaign on Facebook.
Difficult moments coming for free trade negotiations between Canada and EU
9-Jun-2011 Canadian Press
The two sides will exchange the second version of their proposals in a few weeks. It will be followed in mid-July in Brussels with the eighth round of negotiations since discussions began in 2009.