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WTO decision in next 3 days may worsen FTAs’ effects on developing country farmers
28-Jul-2008 TWN
The special safeguard mechanism currently being proposed for agriculture at the WTO mini-ministerial requires large increases in imports before it can be used, does not allow tariffs to be raised sufficiently and cannot be used to protect developing country farmers from import surges due to free trade agreements.
La Via Campesina supports KPL, KWPA and the Korean people’s struggle
28-Jul-2008 Via Campesina
La Via Campesina supports the peaceful fight of the Korean Peasant League, Korean Women Peasants Association and the movements of the Korean people for their right to have access to safe food and to produce locally. FTAs undermine the freedom of choice and the access to safe food, which are basic elements of food sovereignty.
Sri Lanka develops cold feet on trade pact with India
28-Jul-2008 Live Mint
An India-Sri Lanka trade and investment agreement billed as a landmark is being delayed, ostensibly because the island nation’s President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, an avowed Sinhala nationalist, doesn’t want to be seen as authoring such a close partnership with New Delhi, diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
The Japan-Indonesia Economic Partnership: Agreement between equals?
27-Jul-2008 Japan Focus
The Japanese side is strongly selling the concept of capacity-building in Indonesia in key areas such as the auto parts industry. Despite such promises, it is difficult to envision how such nascent industries will compete with the now cheaper Japanese imports.
Do YOU support a free trade agreement with the US?
25-Jul-2008 Scoop
Many New Zealanders believe that a New Zealand-US free trade agreement would put all of Aotearoa up for sale to US corporations by “removing barriers” to US corporate control and by allowing US corporations to sue the New Zealand government for threatening their profits.
NZ: FTA on agenda for Rice talks
25-Jul-2008 TVNZ
A free trade agreement between New Zealand and the US is expected to be on the agenda when the Prime Minister meets with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
EFTA & Hong Kong keen on FTA with Malaysia, says Muhyiddin
25-Jul-2008 Bernama
The European Free Trade Association and Hong Kong are keen to establish a free trade agreement with Malaysia.
Constitutional Court okays free trade pact with US
25-Jul-2008 Colombia Reports
Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled the trade pact the Colombian and US governments signed is in accordance with Colombia’s constitution.
Pacific ministers agree to broaden work on PACER
25-Jul-2008 RNZI
This may include setting up a regional office to focus on issues of traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights.
Japan tries to exclude agriculture in free trade talks
25-Jul-2008 FarmOnline
Japan has moved to exclude key agricultural products from the next round of free-trade negotiations with Australia, due to be held in Tokyo next week.
Robert Gates joins PR offensive for Colombia FTA
24-Jul-2008 WW4 Report
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos share a joint op-ed in the New York Times shamelessly trading off the apparent hostage rescue operation to shill for the pending US-Colombia free trade agreement.
9th round of Malaysia-US FTA talks in November, says Muhyiddin
24-Jul-2008 Bernama
The Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement talks are set to advance into the ninth round in November, International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said. Government procurement, competition policy, environment, labour, financial services and other sensitive areas could only be discussed but stay non-negotiable and non-binding, he added.
China FTA bill passes final reading
24-Jul-2008 Scoop
Trade Minister Phil Goff says the passing in Parliament today of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement Bill will bring the FTA into force on 1 October and represents an historic advance in New Zealand’s trading relationships.
India, S’pore set to sign agreement in services
24-Jul-2008 Zee News
India and Singapore are set to sign an agreement on services shortly under a comprehensive economic treaty between the two, enabling architects, nurses, dentists and chartered accountants to practice in each other’s country. This will be the first services agreement that India signs with any country.
The structure and trends of economic relationship between Thailand and the EU
23-Jul-2008 FTA Watch
A review of the potential direction and impacts of an EU-ASEAN FTA, particularly on Thailand, commissioned by FTA Watch
US-SACU TIDCA (2008)
23-Jul-2008 SACU
Pakistan and Japan FTA study by November end
23-Jul-2008 Pakistan Daily
A Joint Study Group of Pakistan and Japan considering the feasibility of Free Trade Agreement between Islamabad and Tokyo would submit its draft report to the two governments by the end of November 2008.
EPA or development? Your choice
23-Jul-2008 Afrique Echos
The EPA will be disastrous for Africa. Its acceptance would amount to locking the continent into some kind of economic vacuum where its manouevring space would be drastically limited because of the exclusivity of such a deal, especially since the evidence shows that no country in the world has taken off with such bogus and demeaning arrangements.
Intellectual property in the EPA: broad scope, huge impact - Part III
23-Jul-2008 Jamaica Observer
Article 149 requires the EC Party and the Signatory CARIFORUM states to provide for the protection of plant varieties in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement and to consider, in this connection, accession to UPOV, 1991.
East Asia Summit explores free trade area prospects
23-Jul-2008 The Hindu
The East Asia Summit, a “leaders-driven forum” with India, as also China and Japan in its fold, “is studying the feasibility of a free trade area among its 16 countries.”