bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles


Seoul should heed fallout from U.S. FTA: minister nominee
South Korea should pay more attention to reducing the fallout from its free trade deal with the U.S. since it is linked to national interest, Seoul’s farm minister nominee said Wednesday.
ISPs targeted in Pacific trade agreement
Representatives from Australia’s internet industry have called for full disclosure of a proposed free trade agreement between the United States and its allies in the Pacific, concerned that the deal asks ISPs to shoulder onerous burdens around copyright infringement.
Damac threatens international arbitration over Egyptian conviction
Damac Properties is to fight the conviction of its chairman on Egyptian corruption charges by filing a case with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the company announced yesterday.
Republicans urged to renew TAA ahead of Korea FTA’s ratification
The free trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia will pass through Congress by August if Republicans renew funding for the retraining of displaced workers, the chief U.S. trade official said Thursday.
PhRMA calls for strong IP protection for biologics in TPP FTA
US pharmaceutical industry association the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is calling on the US Trade Representative to include strong intellectual property provisions, such as 12-year data protection for follow-on biologics, in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
Sohn turns his back on Korea-U.S. FTA bill
Sohn Hak-kyu, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party, said on Wednesday that he would object to a bill to ratify the free trade agreement with the United States.
European Parliament adopts resolution to support EPA with Japan
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted a resolution in support of signing an economic partnership agreement with Japan on condition that Tokyo further opens up its market.
Infrastructure crucial for Africa’s trade development
On May 9, the European Community celebrated Europe Day as one of the symbols designed to foster unity among Europeans.
RA government approves offer on signing FTA within CIS
During the May 12 sitting, the Armenian government approved the offer on signing a Free Trade Agreement within the CIS.
Lee exhorts German businesses to invest
President Lee Myung-bak Tuesday urged major German companies to expand their investments in Korea, stressing that his country’s free-trade network will help European firms’ business in other foreign markets.
Congress poised to pass Colombia deal: Baucus
A top senator said on Wednesday he expected Congress to soon pass a free trade agreement with Colombia despite the continued strong opposition of the largest U.S. labor group.
Uranium to be part of FTA between India, Australia
With India expected to kick off free trade negotiations with Australia tomorrow, the opposition party here today called for inclusion of uranium sale issue in the negotiations.
Peru sees FTAs with Panama, Costa Rica coming into force in January 2012
Peru’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with Panama and Costa Rica are expected to come into force in January 2012, according to the Andean country’s Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry.
Germany’s Merkel wants EU-Japan free trade accord after South Korea deal
Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany wants the European Union to negotiate a free-trade agreement with Japan following a similar deal with South Korea.
Vietnam plans to raise labor standards before FTA negotiations
Until now, Vietnam has not signed any bilateral or multilateral trade agreements with provisions on labor standards. The TPP may change this.
Bilateral investment treaties: limiting the Commission’s authority
Parliament voted to circumscribe the Commission’s rights regarding Member States’ bilateral investment treaties (BITs). While urging the replacement of these BITs with EU-wide agreements, Members chose to water down the Commission’s proposal that would have allowed it to review national BITs and, if warranted, withdraw its authorization from them.
EU-Asean FTA set for revival, says Mustapa
The European Union-Asean Free Trade Agreement (EU-Asean FTA) is set to be revived following the positive political climate in Myanmar, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Thorny issues remain in EU-India trade talks
According to European Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht, there are still thorny issues on the table in the ongoing EU-India free trade agreement talks, including intellectual property issues.
DP’s Sohn apologizes for flip-flopping on EU FTA
Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu apologized to the people for the chaos around the ratification of the Korea-EU free trade agreement, which he promised to support and then backed away from, stressing he wasn’t opposed to the deal itself, but was “against the insufficient bill.”
Move to speed up India FTA
New Zealand and India want to fast track a proposed free trade agreement that will treble trade between the two countries from $1.2 billion to $3b by 2014.