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Obama admin’s TPP trade officials received hefty bonuses from big banks
24-Feb-2014 Republic Report
Officials tapped by the Obama administration to lead the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations have received multimillion dollar bonuses from CitiGroup and Bank of America, financial disclosures obtained by Republic Report show.
EU-US trade talks seen dragging on until mid-2016
22-Feb-2014 Euractiv
As the European Union and the United States wrap up a week of talks on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) in Washington, the EU still says it hopes to have something to show before the European elections in May. But observers say the real, final deadline is mid 2016, just before the US elections.
American-European trade pact could dwarf TPPA if it becomes a reality
21-Feb-2014 Bernama
Economies like Malaysia would have to adhere to the tariff levels agreed to between both the EU and the US if they want to export to these markets and those of other potential members such as Japan and South Korea.
Obama’s ambitious trade agenda hits Asian resistance
21-Feb-2014 Reuters
America’s ambitious trade agenda is running into fierce resistance in Asia, but negotiators say a draft Pacific free-trade deal that papers over some differences may be ready by the time US President Barack Obama visits the region in April.
Farmers to resist free trade with India
21-Feb-2014 Dawn
Punjab’s farmers forged an alliance on Thursday to resist any move to allow free trade with India in agricultural products from Wagah-Attari land route, claiming that such a decision would destroy country’s agriculture and throw its growers out of business.
Assessing the exposure of Asian states to investment claims
20-Feb-2014 SSRN
Although some IIAs have generated a few disputes for technical reasons, it is rather predictable that Asian states are currently entering an era in which foreign investors are likely to multiply claims.
Japan willing to concede on agricultural products for free trade agreement
19-Feb-2014 Japan Daily Press
A key government official has said on Tuesday that Japan is willing to concede several points on crucial agricultural issues as they officially begin talks with the United States in preparation for the high-level multilateral negotiations next week in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.
Mercosur-EU trade deal close: Brazilian FM
19-Feb-2014 Xinhua
Brazilian Foreign Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo said Tuesday that despite recent delays, member countries of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) are close to finalizing a trade deal with the European Union.
Trade chief misleads on GM foods
18-Feb-2014 EU Observer
Who is really in charge of the European Union’s food safety policies? Over the past few weeks, two EU commissioners have been sounding markedly different notes about genetically modified (GM) crops.
Can Chile curb the TPP?
17-Feb-2014 FPIF
With the US Congress deadlocked over trade, Chile’s progressive new government may be able to win new protections and increase transparency in the TPP talks, write Sarah Anderson and Imara Salas
S. Korea, China divided over illegal fishing in FTA talks
17-Feb-2014 Yonhap
Seoul is pressing the issue but China maintains that it will not discuss it.
Philexport urges competition ‘safety nets’ for small fishers
17-Feb-2014 Business World
While the Philippine fisheries sector is generally seen as competitive under the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union, exporters said the government should still provide small fishermen with “safety nets” from stiffer competition.
Santos’ FTA promises prove false; Colombia’s exports to US drop 15.5%
17-Feb-2014 Colombia Reports
A promised increase in exports to the United States as a result of a free trade agreement has failed to materialize as exports contracted 15.5%, according to Colombia’s statistics agency.
Spying by NSA ally entangled US law firm
17-Feb-2014 New York Times
The Obama administration often emphasizes the NSA’s role in fighting terrorism and cyberattacks, but disclosures in recent months from the documents leaked by Mr. Snowden show the agency routinely spies on trade negotiations.
The biggest free trade area on the planet
15-Feb-2014 Rebelión
The fundamental purpose of TTIP is to maintain the hegemonic position of Atlantic powers, on the basis of a new neoliberal twist.
NAFTA and the next phase of North American integration
14-Feb-2014 Be Your Own Leader
On the heels of its 20th anniversary, there once again appears to be renewed interest in broadening and deepening the NAFTA partnership as part of the next phase of North American integration.
Night anti-TPPA protest for M’sians in the dark
14-Feb-2014 Free Malaysia Today
Candles were lit and banners were hung in front of the International Trade and Industry Ministry last night as a form of protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
China, Sri Lanka could sign free trade pact in 2014
14-Feb-2014 Reuters
China and Sri Lanka could sign a free trade agreement by the end of the year, state news agency Xinhua cited Sri Lanka’s foreign minister as saying, a move that will help cement Colombo’s growing economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing.
What is TTIP?
13-Feb-2014 YouTube
The US and Europe are currently negotiating TTIP, with little media scrutiny and without public participation.
Pressure mounts on New Zealand to lift secrecy on TPP negotiations
13-Feb-2014 Xinhua
New Zealand’s government has come under increasing international pressure to release the text of the controversial 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal before it is signed when senior legislators in seven countries signed an open letter calling for the text to be released