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Taiwan bans US beef
Taiwan’s legislative Yuan Tuesday banned the sale of US beef to that island country, a move that infuriated US beef exporters and could lead to trade disputes with the United States.
Thousands rally to demand delay of ASEAN-China FTA
Thousands of workers from across West Java staged a rally in Bandung on Wednesday, demanding the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement be postponed in Indonesia.
Taiwan bans import of US beef
In a reversal of a negotiated deal with Washington, Taiwanese lawmakers on Tuesday banned imports of some kinds of beefs from the United States, citing health concerns.
Taiwan curbs US beef imports in latest Asia trade frictions
Health concerns and angry protests have prompted partial bans on US beef imports in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea – most recently by Taipei on Tuesday. The recurring dispute has strained relations.
Indonesia may seek tariff delays in ASEAN-China pact
Indonesia’s coordinating minister for the economy, Hatta Rajasa, said on Monday that a letter had been sent to ASEAN seeking "further discussion" of its obligation to reduce tariffs.
US should understand Taiwan’s beef stand
Washington should refrain from pretending that the BSE concerns are a "false issue" or using the TIFA talks or defensive arms sales to pressure the Taiwan legislature to accept a secret protocol, whose full content remains unknown even to KMT lawmakers.
Australia, New Zealand free trade agreement with Asean starts
Australia’s free trade agreement with New Zealand and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations came into effect, removing tariffs on grape exports to Malaysia and wheat sales to the Philippines.
China and ASEAN launch world’s 3rd biggest trade zone
China sees the agreement as a way of securing supplies of raw materials, while countries in ASEAN see opportunities in China’s huge market.
My only prediction for 2010 and it ain’t pretty
This will be the year in which we will see the biggest assault on copyright laws around the world.
Taiwan’s likely ban on US beef stalls trade talks
Because of the proposed ban, Taiwan’s minister of economic affairs, Shih Yen-shiang, told parliament Wednesday that resumption of talks on a free-trade pact with the U.S. would be indefinitely delayed
Anti-mining activists killed in El Salvador
For the second time in a week, a prominent anti-mining activist has been assassinated in El Salvador.
China eyes ASEAN resources from free trade pact
A free trade agreement between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours, which takes full effect from January 1, will help China fill its urgent need for natural resources, a senior commerce official said on Tuesday.
Reneging on beef opening would hurt US support for Taiwan
The head of Taiwan’s National Security Council urged lawmakers and the public not to demand a reopening of talks with the United States on controversial beef imports, though he said he would "respect the final decision by the legislature" and "the people’s right to initiate a referendum on the issue."
Expectations, Burma case derail FTA
Continuing political turmoil in the military-ruled Burma have caused major hurdles in the proposed free-trade deals being negotiated by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with the European Union, Canada and the United States.
In Southeast Asia, unease over free trade zone
When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, China and 10 Southeast Asian nations will usher in the world’s third-largest free trade area. While many industries are eager for tariffs to fall on everything from textiles and rubber to vegetable oils and steel, a few are nervously waiting to see whether the agreement will mean boom or bust for their businesses.
Peru to negotiate FTA with Central America in May
Peru will begin negotiations to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Central America in May next year, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism
UAE, S Korea sign economic cooperation pact
South Korea said on Sunday it had signed an enhanced economic cooperation agreement with the UAE as the two get set to mark their 30-year relationship anniversary next year.
Spain to boost EU-L.America ties during its EU presidency
Spain will seek close association agreements between the EU and Central America, boost trade agreements between the EU and Colombia and Peru and resume talks between the EU and the Common Market of the South, during Madrid’s rotating EU presidency in the first half of 2010
Government plans safeguards for farmers
Thai authorities are taking precautions to shield businesses and farmers from the fall in farm product prices after tariffs are cut under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) at the start of 2010.
S Korea, Japan fail to agree on resuming free trade negotiations
South Korea and Japan failed to pin down the exact date to resume bilateral free trade negotiations during their latest talks.