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US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Labor issues
23-Jan-2012 CRS
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report examines three labor issues and arguments related to the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, signed on October 21, 2011: violence against trade unionists; impunity (accountability for or punishment of the perpetrators); and worker rights protections for Colombians.
Big Tobacco vs Australia: Philip Morris scores an own goal
23-Jan-2012 The Conversation
It appears as though Philip Morris Asia only acquired its Australian companies in order to be able to launch a claim against the government under the Australia-Hong Kong BIT.
India-EU free trade agreement not to be ready by summit: Source
22-Jan-2012 Economic Times
Much-delayed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not likely to be completed in the near future, but "some announcement" will be made on February 10 here, when the two sides meet for their annual summit, sources said.
US, Mauritius hold TIFA consultations
21-Jan-2012 Tax News
The two governments agreed on a number of key issues, including conclusion of the BIT, negotiation of a joint statement on ICT principles, technical support on IPR, and development of a new AGOA strategy.
DUP pledges full repeal of US FTA
19-Jan-2012 Korea Herald
The newly elected Supreme Council of Korea’s main opposition Democratic United Party pledged to fully repeal the disputed Korea-US Free Trade Agreement.
India-EU FTA nearing ’closing stages’
19-Jan-2012 Business Standard
The negotiations on India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) has reached “closing stages”. While consensus has been achieved in some tricky areas such as wine and pharmaceuticals, negotiators are now busy reaching an agreement in agricultural products and automobiles.
Network calls for rejection of free trade agreement
18-Jan-2012 Fiji Times
Fiji Network for Positive People believes that the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS meeting will be an opportune time to advocate for continuing availability of generic Anti Retro Viral treatment in the face of threats from Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Trade minister: Egypt open to trade talks with US
18-Jan-2012 Reuters
Egypt’s trade minister on Tuesday courted badly needed US investment with a promise Cairo would maintain open markets, and said the Egyptian government was open to pursuing free trade talks with the United States.
FTA deal with Korea reaches critical phase
17-Jan-2012
Australian beef exports are in danger being put at long-term disadvantage against US competitors in the Korean market unless rapid progress can be made in Free Trade Agreement discussions in coming months.
Tony DiMare says— Tomato imports ‘sucking lifeblood’ of US industry
16-Jan-2012 Delta Farm Press
"Why do we need tomatoes from Guatemala? What are we trying to accomplish?" asks Florida grower Tony DiMare
Asean-EU officials, business rep meet in Siem Reap to discuss FTA challenges
16-Jan-2012 Bernama
Officials and business representatives from the 10 Asean Member States and the European Union came together today in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of free trade agreements, as well as ways that Asean would benefit from free trade agreements.
India, EU FTA to take more time
16-Jan-2012 All India Radio
The Free Trade Agreement between India and European Union will take more time to materialise. European Union foreign policy Chief, Baroness Catherine Ashton informed this after holding meeting with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna in Bangalore today.
China, GCC agree to accelerate FTA negotiations
15-Jan-2012
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif al-Zayani agreed on Sunday to speed up negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two sides.
Union says immigrants forced to accept pay below minimum wage
15-Jan-2012
Chinese chefs working here are being asked to accept pay cuts or face losing their jobs, because of hundreds of Chinese chefs entering the country under the free trade agreement with China.
U.S. auto council opposes Japan joining in TPP talks
15-Jan-2012
A council representing the Big 3 U.S. automakers has declared that it opposes Japan joining negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement at this time, saying Japan’s auto market is not receptive to imports.
Conglomerates poaching experienced trade negotiators
15-Jan-2012
Following former trade minister Kim Hyun-jong, another former diplomat who played a key role in negotiations over the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) has gone to work for Samsung. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) stated on Sunday that 45-year-old Kim Won-gyeong, an economic adviser at the Korean Embassy to the United States, had submitted his resignation ahead of the regular February reshuffle. Though it has been reported that Kim will go to work as a director for Samsung Electronics America, a Samsung Electronics official said that talks were still in progress and nothing had been confirmed.
EU team on a visit to B’lore
14-Jan-2012
Ahead of the India-EU Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi in February this year, a high-level delegation from the European Union will pay a four-day official visit to India starting on January 15.
Indo-Lanka trade talks in March
14-Jan-2012
India and Sri Lanka are keen to resume talks on the Indo- Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in March, said Ministry of Trade and Commerce sources.
Obama’s agency revamp may diminish US Trade Representative
14-Jan-2012 Bloomberg
A proposal by President Barack Obama to reorganize US trade agencies would force together departments that have different missions, something industry groups say may diminish effectiveness.
Group calls for investment treaty with China
14-Jan-2012 China Daily
"We need to negotiate more bilateral investment treaties. … India and China should be high on that list," said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce