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The EPA: A critical evaluation
16-Jul-2008 Norman Girvan
Analyses the Cariforum-EC EPA from a critical standpoint, including the EPA architecture, what each side gets from the Agreement, the scope of binding commitments, the institutional machinery and the scope for revision of the Agreement. The points are illustrated with direct quotations from the EPA text.
The anti-development dimension of the European Community’s EPA for the Caribbean
16-Jul-2008 Norman Girvan
The ACP countries, by opening up their markets freely to European goods, services and companies will be transformed into a state of development via an impressive chain of unproven, theoretical assumptions. The EPA itself is replete with development rhetoric and references to the development objectives of the Agreement, most, if not all, of which are compromised by the content of the Agreement itself. Nowhere in the Agreement is there a direct, targeted attack on the basic supply-side problem, let alone binding commitments to put in place a complement of measures aimed at this problem.
S. Korean activists petition UN over beef protest clampdown
15-Jul-2008 Korea Times
South Korean activists Monday sent a petition to the United Nations, asking the international organization to admonish their government for its hardline crackdown on street protests over US beef imports.
Peru: Social rebellion spreads nationwide
15-Jul-2008 IPS
New street protests were called for Thursday in some Amazon regions, in response to decrees issued by President Alan García, making it easier for private investors to enter the territories of native communities. The decrees were set in motion thanks to the powers granted by the legislative branch to the executive under the free trade agreement (FTA) signed with the United States. Political analysts say the government has exceeded its legal powers.
Botswana, UK want fruits of EPAs
15-Jul-2008 Mmegi Mobile
While government officials promise the EPAs will bring more jobs and beef market openings for Botswana, Botswana unions believe they are nothing but recolonisation of ACP countries and say ’the EU is coming back to deplete our (African) resources’.
Trade pacts stifle exports to Thailand, Singapore
15-Jul-2008 BS
Growth of exports to Thailand and Singapore has slowed after India signed bilateral duty-free agreements with these countries. But a similar pact with Sri Lanka has improved the growth in India’s exports to the island nation.
Peru-China free trade teams advised not to rush negotiations
15-Jul-2008 LIP
The Lima Chamber of Commerce suggested today that Peru and China’s negotiating teams should not speed up the signing of a Free Trade Agreement in November as the requests of both countries have not coincided
VAT and trade pacts clash
14-Jul-2008 Emirates Business 24/7
Imposing a value added tax (VAT) on GCC and Arab products in the UAE would be against the agreements signed by the country with other Gulf and Arab states, according to the Ministry of Economy.
Truck drivers strike at Panama/Costa Rica border
14-Jul-2008 Inside Costa Rica
The first major disruption of the nine-month-old Costa Rican-Panamanian free trade agreement came on July 6, when approximately 200 truck drivers from Panama, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries paralyzed cargo crossing from Paso Canoas, Panama to Cerro Punta, Costa Rica.
EU says early partnership pact possible with Syria
14-Jul-2008 Reuters
The European Union could sign a long-stalled partnership pact with Syria this year, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Sunday at the Paris launch of a new "Union for the Mediterranean"
Saga of deal with Europe
14-Jul-2008 Jamaica Observer
While the majority of Caricom governments have signalled readiness to sign the EPA, reservations remain strong enough. Meanwhile, conflicting signals keep coming out of Brussels.
Planned bilateral deal to boost Canadian investment in RI
14-Jul-2008 Jakarta Post
Canada and Indonesia are currently in talks to ink a bilateral agreement that will help protect the investments of Canadian companies in Indonesia, as well as promote Indonesia’s potential to Canadian businesses.
Chile, Turkey end another round of FTA talks
12-Jul-2008 Xinhua
Chile and Turkey ended the second round of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement on Friday, the Chilean Foreign Ministry said, adding that "It’s very important to integrate the private sectors in this process, because they will take advantage of the FTA."
Central America: Commission holds fourth round of negotiations for an Association Agreement
12-Jul-2008 7th Space
The European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the European Union, and Central America will meet in Brussels from 14 to 18 July 2008 for a fourth round of negotiations in view of an Association Agreement between the two regions.
CP adding feed plants in India
12-Jul-2008 Bangkok Post
The Charoen Pokphand Group, Thailand’s largest agribusiness conglomerate, is preparing to expand in India by establishing two more animal feed plants.
Mad cows, mad people
11-Jul-2008 FPIF
Through the prism of beef, Koreans confront the limitations of key contemporary institutions: democracy, capitalism, and nationalism.
21-member APEC pushes trade agenda
11-Jul-2008 Manila Bulletin
The 21-member countries of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), seen to be playing a crucial role in pushing for the conclusion of the stalled Doha Development Round of the WTO, are moving ahead with its agenda of improving market access and substantial reductions in market-distorting measures in agricultural trade in light of the soaring food prices.
Business begins push for post-Bush trade deals
11-Jul-2008 Reuters
A US business group outlined a plan on Thursday to restore White House trade negotiating authority that was badly damaged in a fight between President George W. Bush and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a free trade pact with Colombia.
Asean-Australia-New Zealand FTA near conclusion: Rudd
11-Jul-2008 The Edge Daily
The ongoing negotiations on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Asean countries and Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) are expected to be concluded in the near term, said Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
US, China sign energy, environment accord
11-Jul-2008 CalTradeReport
The US and China have signed a framework for an agreement to define cooperation on energy and environmental issues and will soon launch negotiations to reach a comprehensive investment and financial services treaty.