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Thousands begin protest over US beef amid fears of violent clash
5-Jun-2008 Yonhap
Rally organizers claimed as many as 1 million people could turn out nationwide for a scheduled rally on Tuesday, when the country marks the anniversary of a 1987 democratic uprising that led the then military regime to grant free elections, prompting ensuing political reforms.
Korea gives up renegotiating deal
5-Jun-2008 Korea Times
A senior government official indicated Thursday that the Korean government would not ask the United States to renegotiate the beef import deal. Opposition parties and the majority of the people, however, want the renegotiation.
India-Burma BIT approved
5-Jun-2008 PIB
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with the Government of the Union of Myanmar and ratification thereof.
The failed expectations of US trade policy
5-Jun-2008 FPIF
As the principal negotiator for the landmark market access agreement that led to China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), I have reflected on whether the agreements we negotiated really lived up to our expectations. A sober reflection has led me to conclude that those trade agreements did not.
Chile-China FTA (2006)
5-Jun-2008 DIRECON
Thailand-Peru FTA likely to take effect late this year
5-Jun-2008 MCOT
The free trade area agreement between Thailand and Peru is expected to become effective during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November this year or early next year, according to an official of Thailand’s Trade Negotiations Department.
Factbox: McCain, Obama plans on US trade policy
4-Jun-2008 Reuters
The US presidential election in November will be a face-off between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Following are some of McCain’s and Obama’s main positions on trade — an issue that has become contentious during this election cycle.
Bolivian president urges Peruvian counterpart to respect Andean Community rules
4-Jun-2008 Xinhua
Bolivian President Evo Morales on Tuesday urged his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia to respect the pledges made under the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) before signing any unilateral free trade agreements
India wants FTA so it can secure food supply (says NZ)
4-Jun-2008 NZPA
India is asking for a free trade agreement with New Zealand so it can secure a reliable supply of quality food, NZ Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton says.
Palestinian PM urges EU not to upgrade Israel ties
4-Jun-2008 Reuters
At issue is whether to deepen relations governed by the current EU-Israel association agreement
S Korea’s new plan for US beef rejected by US
4-Jun-2008
The plan called for US exporters to voluntarily limit exports of beef from cattle older than 30 months
Despite gov’t action, protests against US beef continue
4-Jun-2008 Hankyoreh
The “People’s Countermeasure Council against Full Resumption of Imports of US Beef Endangered with Mad Cow Disease,” an umbrella organization of Korean civic groups and cyber activists issued a statement on June 3 saying that the government "needs to decide for sure that it will fully and permanently prohibit the importation of beef [from US cattle over 30 months old], and demand that the US accept this.”
Reducing import tariffs will help Saarc: report
3-Jun-2008
After the recently released, ‘The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development’ released recently by the Commission on Growth and Development, supported by DFID, UK and World Bank among other international organisations, which mentions that in the last 30 years, absolute poverty has fallen dramatically fallen due to sustained growth, and that India is likely to grow at a fast pace for another 15 years, an upcoming report from the Commonwealth Business Council and the Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commenting on the Saarc region, says that the very limited intra-regional trade in South Asia in aggregate terms does not exceed 5% of the region’s total trade.
Maritime sector to see changes when EPA takes effect
3-Jun-2008
With the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) scheduled for July this year between CARICOM states, the Dominican Republic and the European Union (EU), several services within the local maritime sector could see changes taking place when the Agreement takes effect.
Legislators to Hold Seminar On EPAs
3-Jun-2008
Parliament will Wednesday hold a joint consultative seminar on the role of Parliament and the private sector in the ongoing negotiations expected to pave way for signing the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
Time running out for Korean FTA
3-Jun-2008 Asia Times
The sense in Washington is that Congress will either vote against ratifying the US-Korea FTA or will simply not vote on it at all. Bush has yet to send it to Congress for ratification, and he’s getting advice on all sides to drop it, to let it slide into the next administration.
Seoul asks Washington not to ship beef from older cattle
3-Jun-2008 Yonhap
Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said that until the two nations reach an agreement on the age limit of cattle when they are slaughtered for meat to be exported to South Korea, Seoul will not implement its revised sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. The move effectively allows South Korea to keep its import ban on US beef that has been in place since early October.
FTAs: so near and yet so far
3-Jun-2008 The Hindu
Though India’s Union Government has been pushing for an FTA with many countries on a bilateral basis, and also with regional blocks like ASEAN and the EU, there have been no major breakthroughs.
Hong Kong, Peru sign joint trade statement
3-Jun-2008 Government of Hong Kong
The two sides will work towards the development of a co-operation arrangement on trade and investment facilitation. This will lay the foundation for future consideration of a free-trade agreement between Hong Kong and Peru.
US agrees to expand trade and investment with Sri Lanka
3-Jun-2008 Asian Tribune
The US-Sri Lanka TIFA Council discussed issues affecting US exports, such as Sri Lanka’s agricultural biotechnology policies, import tariffs, intellectual property rights protection, and transparency in government procurement.