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Korean man dies after beef protest
9-Jun-2008 RTE News
A South Korean man, Lee Byong-Ryol, has died in hospital two weeks after setting himself ablaze in protest at a deal to resume US beef imports.
’...Agreement harmful to small producers’
9-Jun-2008 Trinidad & Tobago Express
Calling for a re-negotiation of a new Economic Partnership Agreement, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non Governmental Organisations president David Abdulah says aspects of the agreement could prove to be harmful to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
La tormenta perfecta
9-Jun-2008
RI, India to finalize talks on economic cooperation accord in August
9-Jun-2008 Antara
Indonesia and India are expected to finalize talks for conclusion of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement in August
President SAARC Chamber proposes FTA between China and SAARC countries
9-Jun-2008 APP
A Free Trade Agreement between China and South Asia has been proposed to unleash hitherto untapped potential due to non-preferential trade between China and SAARC nations.
Ocean transport an emerging barrier to trade
9-Jun-2008 Jamaica Gleaner
The unprecedented impact of rising energy prices on the cost of ocean transport means that moving goods from one nation to another has become a bigger barrier to global trade than tariffs.
Canada concludes Colombia free trade talks
9-Jun-2008 Reuters
Canada said on Saturday it had wrapped up free trade negotiations with Colombia and reached agreement on related labor and environmental issues, but the deal could raise criticism from opposition lawmakers concerned about the Andean country’s human rights record.
Sovereignty or solidarity? Pacific changes tack as Europe wins first round in trade talks
9-Jun-2008 Islands Business
Sovereignty must be partially surrendered if Pacific islands countries are to maintain solidarity in trade negotiations. Pacific countries who are members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific bloc of states had a rude realisation of this basic and age-old truth in their on-going negotiations with the European Commission for an economic partnership agreement.
Free trade with Japan would be major boost for Canadian sales: ambassador
9-Jun-2008 Vancouver Sun
"What we would really like is a [free trade agreement] and the government of Canada has called for one," Canadian Ambassador to Japan Joseph Caron told a Vancouver Board of Trade meeting, noting the Japanese have not yet given an official positive response to possible free trade discussions.
Trinidad and Tobago to sign EPA
9-Jun-2008 Caribbean Net News
Trinidad and Tobago is expected by the end of July 2008 to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between CARIFORUM and the European Union along with its regional counterparts.
Seoul to enforce private sector ban on US beef from older cattle
8-Jun-2008 Yonhap
The South Korean government says it will return or destroy all US beef from cattle older than 30 months in the process of its import quarantine if private sectors in both South Korea and the US voluntarily reach an agreement to impose an age limit in their beef trade. This would run directly counter to the US-Korea beef import deal signed in mid-April.
US targets full opening of Asian beef market
7-Jun-2008 Korea Times
The Bush administration, whose major political funding sources allegedly involve ranchers, is likely to urge China and Japan to "fully" open their beef markets, citing the negotiation results with South Korea.
Situation about Korean people’s struggle on beef deal
6-Jun-2008
Korean public opinion wants a complete scrap of the April 18 beef deal with the US. The scale, intensity, and variety of participants in the street protests continue to grow. The mood is like a “Second June Struggle,” the June Struggle of 1987 having been a significant event in Korea’s democracy movement. However some say that the May struggle for nullification of Beef deal has a lot of significant signs that differ from 1987 democracy struggle. These actions are creating New democracy.
Possible free trade deal for Asia-Pacific?
6-Jun-2008 TVNZ
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says his proposed new regional organisation could produce an Asia-Pacific free trade agreement which would mean big benefits for Australia.
NZ-China FTA - Full of human rights promises but no substance
6-Jun-2008 Scoop
Amnesty International has made a second submission on the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Bill highlighting ongoing concerns about the lack of practical applications to ensure labour standards are addressed and improved in China. And this within an agreement that significantly weakens New Zealand’s labour rights obligations.
Government procurement provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA and lessons for other ACP states
6-Jun-2008
This paper on government procurement and EPAS written by Stephen Woolcock from LSE recommends that ACP countries first open their procurment markets on a regional basis, before making commitments to the EU.
EU mulls free trade deal with Armenia
5-Jun-2008 Armenia Liberty
The European Union is considering signing a free trade agreement with Armenia as part of its efforts to strengthen ties with the South Caucasus state
Government procurement provisions in the CARIFORUM EPA and lessons for other ACP states
5-Jun-2008
This paper on government procurement and EPAs written by Stephen Woolcock from LSE recommends that ACP countries first open their procurement markets on a regional basis, before making commitments to the EU.
UN Committee recommends that India assess likely impacts of EFTA and EU trade talks
5-Jun-2008 3D
A leading UN Committee has recommended that India review all aspects of its trade negotiations - particularly those with EU and EFTA - to ensure that they do not result in a situation which undermines the rights of people within the country, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Meeting last month in Geneva, the Committee also noted its concern about the impact of genetically-modified seeds in India on farmers’ livelihoods.
Man sets himself on fire after candlelight vigil
5-Jun-2008 Korea Times
A South Korean man set himself on fire early Thursday morning following a candlelight rally in central Seoul against the resumption of US beef imports. Kim, a day laborer, is in critical condition with severe burns to his body.