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Group calls for FTA moratorium
Civil society is asking the incoming administration for a moratorium on all pending trade agreements pending thorough consultation and study.
RP-EU partnership deal inked this year?
A framework agreement that will govern relations between the Philippines and the European Union is likely to be signed in October and could pave the way for a bilateral trade deal, a Cabinet official yesterday said.
EAC legislators set terms for new trade deal with Europe
The East African Legislative Assembly wants member states to delay the signing of new economic partnership deals with Europe until outstanding issues are resolved.
The untold story of Pakistan China trade
Pakistan and China have increased bilateral trade agreements with the help of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which was signed between the two countries in 2005.
Taiwan claims right to sign FTAs as WTO member
Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said yesterday that Taiwan, as a WTO member, has the right to seek free trade deals with as many countries as it chooses, a move recently strongly opposed by China.
EU firm on strong IP provision in free trade
A key provision in the draft of the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) may have implications on the affordability of medicines, while also hurting the negotiations between the two trading blocs.
Taiwan to seek investment pacts before FTAs: minister
Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said Monday that Taiwan will adopt a "building blocks" approach to promote free trade agreements (FTAs) with other countries, beginning with investment guarantee pacts.
GCC Chief Says FTA Talks With South Korea Making Significant Progress
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and South Korea have taken big strides toward concluding free trade negotiations, although there are some remaining issues to be resolved, Yonhap News Agency reported the council’s visiting secretary general as saying Monday.
RP, EU conclude PCA after 2 years
After two years of intense negotiations, the Philippines and the European Union have concluded the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) that covers political issues, counterterrorism, human rights, trade and migration cooperation.
EU says Pakistan must wait for trade breaks
The European Union told Pakistan on Friday it could gain increased access to EU markets in one to three years but ruled out immediately granting Islamabad new trade concessions.
Asia Pacific ministers claim progress in free trade goals
Ministers from the Asia Pacific nations said on Sunday they had made "significant progress" toward free-trade goals set in 1994 as they closed a two-day APEC meeting in Japan.
Bolivia abandons trade agreement
Beginning June 7, Bolivia will terminate its free trade agreement with Mexico which has existed since 1994. No reason was given for why the Andean nation is taking this step.
Taiwan says as WTO member, it has FTA rights
Taiwan’s economics minister said on Saturday that as a World Trade Organization member, Taiwan has the right to seek free trade deals with many partners, a move China opposes as the two work on a trade pact.
Aquino pressed to review Manila-Tokyo trade deal
Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the review and possible abrogation of the bilateral trade pact between the Philippines and Japan could happen in the first 100 days of the Aquino administration.
Taiwan president faces hurdles in key China deal
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is facing domestic and Chinese hurdles in his pursuit of a key China trade pact that could bring about the closest relations between the longtime rivals since their split amid civil war in 1949.
Panel rejects request for national referendum on ECFA
Taiwan’s Referendum Review Committee yesterday rejected a proposal to hold a national referendum on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) that has yet to be signed between Taipei and Beijing.
US tries to build consensus for trans-Pacific trade talks
The Obama administration is pressing ahead with trade expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, even as it struggles to build consensus with labor and business groups.
Malaysia to draw up FTA framework with GCC countries by October, says Mukhriz
Malaysia hopes to draw up a frawework for free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries by October, said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
ECFA early-harvest list may contain 500 items: Chinese official
Mainland China may make a major concession in the talks for cross-Taiwan Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) by expanding the early-harvest list, or priority items for tariff cut or market opening, to 500 items rather than the expected 300.
China, India to raise concerns at WTO about “TRIPS-plus” measures, ACTA
China and India next week plan to voice concerns at the World Trade Organization about efforts by developed countries to push poorer trading partners beyond their WTO commitments on trade and intellectual property rights, so-called TRIPS-plus measures.