bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

Time running out on FTA
1-Apr-2008
The Korean government made yet another plea to local assemblymen to pass the much-disputed free trade agreement with the United States before the National Assembly session ends in May, calling the inability to ratify the pact in both countries "very regrettable". But the bill, signed on April 2 one year ago, faces diminishing hopes. Legislators in both countries are dragging their feet amid upcoming elections, rural American voters are demanding the resumption of U.S. beef imports to Korea and the U.S. Congress is struggling with the ratification of other FTAs.
Pacific: Trade ministers to finalise deals
1-Apr-2008 Fiji Times
Senior trade officials from around the Pacific region will finalise trade deals as an extension to the existing Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement by October.
ASEAN-EU FTA will bring disaster and sovereignty losing
1-Apr-2008 IGJ
Statement from the Institute for Global Justice in Indonesia
China free to take as tough a line as it likes
1-Apr-2008
In apartheid days, support for rugby tours used to be called "building bridges". Opponents, among them today’s Prime Minister, thought sports boycotts more likely to effect change. The argument spilled into the streets in 1981.
Beware FTA, says Kiwi in China
1-Apr-2008
Shifting production of her brand to China has put more money in Cushla Reed’s pocket, allowed her to make lifestyle choices such as having a baby, and given her business a future.
Abbasi promises continuity of policies with review
1-Apr-2008
Shahid Khakan Abbasi, Federal Minister of Commerce hinted review of the Trade Policy and said that his ministry would ensure continuity of policies with review for enhancement of country’s exports.
Free trade deal also strategic, says PM
31-Mar-2008
New Zealand’s free trade agreement with China is about more than reducing tariffs - it is also a strategic move which acknowledges that the emerging superpower will become the world’s biggest economy, says Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Public divided over FTA, poll shows
31-Mar-2008
The public is divided over the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China that Prime Minister Helen Clark is due to sign in Beijing on April 7, a poll published today shows.
MPs to vote for deal on China
31-Mar-2008
A free trade agreement with China looks set to win the overwhelming backing of Parliament.
Jpepa ratification to worsen food crisis
31-Mar-2008 Pinoy Press
The current rice crisis facing the country should convince the Senate not to ratify the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement because the deal threatens to aggravate the country’s food insecurity, the NO DEAL! coalition said today.
Gov’t eyes April okay for JPEPA
31-Mar-2008 GMANews
Philippine Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila wants the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement ratified by the Senate before the end of April.
’We will all live to regret it’
31-Mar-2008 Jamaica Observer
Professor Girvan warns that the EU-Caribbean EPA could widen inequalities among Caricom states
NZ: Anti-Free Trade March April 5
31-Mar-2008 Scoop
The Prime Minister has left New Zealand on a trip which will include the signing of a free trade agreement with China in the second week of April. Global Peace and Justice Auckland and Unite Union are organising a protest march to take place shortly before the FTA is signed.
SA envoy clears mist on economic agreements
29-Mar-2008
Short-term benefits brought by Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) should not stand in the way of long term prosperity and integration of the SADC region, says South Africas High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr Dikgang Moopeloa.
Japan, ASEAN sign free trade accord
29-Mar-2008
Japan signed a free trade agreement Friday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote trade and investment between the two sides.
’SADC Secretariat inertia worrisome’
29-Mar-2008
Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairperson, Levy Mwanawasa, has said member states and some international cooperating partners are dissatisfied with the SADC secretariat’s lack of capacity to absorb financial aid meant to help the regional body achieve its goals.
Trade ministers band together
29-Mar-2008
The Pacific ACP Trade Ministers from the region have agreed to proceed as a group with negotiations of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the European Commission by the end of the year.
Civil Society Vows to Stop EPA
29-Mar-2008
As the recently initialled interim Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) continues to take centre stage, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Africa have vowed to step up their stop-EPA campaign saying the pact has contentious issues.
Shift trade to SAARC region from slowing US, Govt to business
29-Mar-2008
The government today asked the country’s business houses to shift focus to the SAARC region and exploit the opportunities there, especially when the US and the European economies are slowing down.
Singapore says FTA with Taiwan possible, without politics
29-Mar-2008
Singapore Saturday expressed optimism about enhanced economic cooperation with Taiwan as long as issues involving trade are not politicised.