bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Articles by language

English
Tagalog
Canadians may pay the price of US Free Trade Agreement with Colombia
9-Jul-2011
The United States intends to offset the cost of entering into a new Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia by imposing a $5.50 fee on Canadian and Mexican travelers to the US.
Beware the tobacco bullies: Do not let them use free trade agreements to endanger public health
9-Jul-2011
Tobacco giants are invoking investor-state dispute mechanisms in bilateral investment agreements to challenge moves of governments which are aimed at controlling the widespread use of tobacco products. This scary development highlights the dangers of signing trade or investment treaties which could give corporations the right to sue governments over legitimate health or other public interest regulations.
ECFA debate marred by faulty reasoning
8-Jul-2011
One year after the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed by Taipei and Beijing, Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party has declared the ECFA "myth" busted, while the ruling Kuomintang continues to tout its many benefits.
Taiwan calls for FTA with European Union
8-Jul-2011
The European Union should consider signing a free trade agreement with Taiwan as “the EU’s Asian regional economic strategy will not be complete without Taiwan,” said Chen Ming-shy, deputy director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade July 6.
Korea-EU FTA to put Seoul at public health crossroads
8-Jul-2011
Pharmaceuticals might not have been the most discussed sector before the Korea-European Union Free Trade Agreement came into effect from July 1.
US Senate committee approves Colombia FTA
8-Jul-2011 Colombia Reports
The Senate Finance Committee voted to approve the US-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA) bill in a mock markup session Thursday morning, much to the satisfaction of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.
Canadian agricultural commodity groups call for immediate resumption of free trade talks with South Korea
8-Jul-2011
A coalition of Canadian agricultural commodity groups is calling on Canada’s premiers and agriculture ministers to express their support the immediate resumption of free trade talks with the Republic of Korea.
Ireland anticipates rejection of EU/Mercosur trade accord on beef
8-Jul-2011
The Irish government is expecting a report from the European Commission setting out the economic impact on Eire of a potential trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur.
Trade critic says TPP talks could collapse
8-Jul-2011
A critic of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade talks says it’s unlikely any deal will be agreed upon for at least two years and the negotiations could yet collapse.
PIDS tapped to do impact study on free trade agreements
8-Jul-2011
The Department of Trade and Industry has tapped the Philippine Institute for Development Studies to evaluate how the country has benefited so far from the various trade agreements entered into by the government, both bilateral and through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
’It takes nine to tango’ in Pacific free trade plan
8-Jul-2011
United States Apec Ambassador Kurt Tong yesterday insisted that the negotiations among nine countries for a Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement were based on a level playing field.
Nicaraguan businesspersons seek free trade agreement with Venezuela
7-Jul-2011
There are concerns in Nicaragua about the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, with whom the Central American government has signed trade agreements without the participation of Nicaraguan businesspersons, DPA reported.
Ruling bloc aims to pass contentious free trade deal with US next month
7-Jul-2011
The South Korean government and the ruling party are moving to ratify a controversial free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States next month, party officials said on Thursday, a move that is expected to trigger backlash from opposition parties.
Millions will die if India stops AIDS drugs — UN
6-Jul-2011 Reuters
Millions of people dependent on life-saving generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS will die if India stops producing cheap drugs for the disease due to its trade deal with the European Union, the head of UNAIDS warned on Tuesday.
Free trade at what cost?
6-Jul-2011
Inking free trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia is among the highest priorities for the U.S. business community.
ETUC wants FTA with Ottawa to strengthen workers’ rights
6-Jul-2011
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has called on Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht to ensure that the free trade agreement currently negotiated with Canada strengthens workers’ rights. In a letter dated 4 July and sent to De Gucht, Bernadette Ségol, ETUC’s general secretary, asked the EU to adjust its negotiating position in order to include in the final agreement a “strong” dispute settlement mechanism, with the possibility of fines being imposed for breaches of international obligations on labour standards.
Economics Ministry maps out measures to cushion impact of Korea-US FTA
6-Jul-2011
In an effort to help domestic exporters counter the impact of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has proposed to offer tax rebates for imported industrial raw materials and components/parts with average tariffs topping 4.3%.
Facilitator or obstacle: Pakistan, Sri Lanka to review free trade agreement
6-Jul-2011
Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Tuesday agreed to hold negotiations for reviewing the six-year-old free trade agreement (FTA) which has become an obstacle instead of becoming a tool for liberalisation.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka agree to negotiate trade agreements in August
6-Jul-2011 Colombo Page
At the conclusion of the 10th session of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission on Tuesday the two countries have agreed hold Free Trade Agreement (FTA) review meeting and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations in August 2011 in Colombo.
A deal still on the drawing board
5-Jul-2011
The India-EU free trade agreement is yet to see daylight. Labour and environmental issues may derail it, writes Biswajit Dhar