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We’ll block FTA plans, say Greens and Xenophon
The Greens and independent senator Nick Xenophon have said the government will face a tough battle if it seeks to ease foreign investment restrictions.
Experts deeply split on prospects for quick EU-Mercosur free trade deal
The European Union and the Mercosur bloc have been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement for about 15 years now and after a several-year impasse talks seemed to gather new impetus in 2010 but the opinions of pundits talking to the Herald are deeply divided about the prospects of a quick accord.
Congress top obstacle to TPP deal
Failure by Japanese and U.S. negotiators to reach a Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is making headlines across Japan and raising concerns about the implications for U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip here later this month.
US, Pakistan review plan to expand trade, investment
The United States and Pakistan have held initial discussions on a joint plan to expand trade and investment flows over the next five years, says a statement issued on Thursday.
Nothing free about Tony Abbott’s free trade agreements
Like buying a house, it’s easy to get a free trade agreement if you don’t care what you get or how much you pay. Since coming to office, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has closed a number of free trade agreements in record time, and it shows.
China attempts to split EU and US
President Xi Jinping’s proposal that China and the European Union explore a free trade agreement is a sign of Europe’s pivotal role in the trilateral economic relationship among the United States, the European Union and China.
Proposed Asean-Hong Kong FTA has Manila’s backing
Manila is strongly supporting the proposed Asean-Hong Kong free-trade agreement (FTA) as this would further ease the flow of trade between China and the Philippines.
Top Filipino, US businessmen to lobby for PH inclusion in TPP
A group composed of top Filipino and American business leaders would help lobby for the Philippines’ inclusion in the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, on top of initiatives to attract more American investors into the country, the Philippine envoy to Washington said.
Colombia’s Breadbasket Feels the Pinch of Free Trade
Things are getting worse and worse,” Enrique Muñoz, a 67-year-old farmer from the municipality of Cajamarca in the central Colombian department of Tolima, once known as the country’s breadbasket, said sadly.
Taiwan-Australia FTA urged as South Korea, Australia ink deal
The Ministry of Economic Affairs said Tuesday that Taiwan should push for a free trade deal with Australia, noting that one signed between South Korea and Australia might impact Taiwanese manufacturers of petrochemical products and auto parts — two of Taiwan’s major exports to Australia.
Free trade agreements contain provisions that restrict access to medicines: UNITAID
UNITAID, a global health initiative has warned against bilateral and regional trade agreements, pushed mostly by Europe and the US, as such agreements go well beyond traditional trade concerns and include provisions that force extensive obligations related to intellectual property and investor protection which would restrict access to medicines.
ISDS: The trap the Australia-Japan Free Trade Agreement escaped
So straightforward was Australia’s first trade deal with Japan that the Japanese thought it was a trick.
Rice growers slam Japan FTA
Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia President Les Gordon has slammed Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s landmark free trade agreement with Japan as a deal that punishes and ignores ricegrowers.
Few free trade favours from Fortress Japan
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Trade Minister Andrew Robb have hailed the freshly inked free trade agreement with Japan as “historic”. Yes, it is historic in a sense that it is a repeat of the much criticised 2004 free trade agreement with the United States that provide very limited commercial benefits to Australian farmers.
Japan FTA tipped for July
One of Japan’s most influential corporate leaders says he expects Australia and Japan will conclude a free-trade agreement in July.
Why is TTIP more than a trade agreement?
EU and US are currently negotiating a trade and investment agreement. How will this deal affect people from both regions and around the world? See reflections from EU and US activists who gathered to discuss about the impacts and possible solutions.
Investor-state dispute settlement: Council confirms deal with EP
The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) today approved, on behalf of the Council, an agreement reached with the European Parliament on a framework for managing financial responsibility linked to investor-state dispute settlement proceedings.
Free trade agreements threaten access to medicine by the poor in Philippines
Ambitious free trade agreements in the Philippines would pose serious threats to access to medicines for the poor by providing greater patent rights to pharmaceutical companies, the EU-ASEAN Campaign Network said Tuesday ahead of an international meeting of pharmaceutical companies in Manila.
Oman, EU seek to boost bilateral trade, investment
Oman and the European Union (EU) are seeking to boost bilateral trade and investment by providing increased opportunities to the business communities on both sides to trade and exchange information.
Concern Australia could get mauled by Japan free trade clause
Japanese companies would be able to sue Australian governments under clauses expected to be included in the Australia-Japan free trade agreement.