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Mexico’s shoemakers feel squeeze of globalization
8-Jan-2008 Chicago Tribune
Mexicans can’t match the low wages and cheap production of China, and they can’t keep up with the technology and productivity of the US and other industrialized economies.
Pacing the FTA with China
5-Jan-2008 Sify
One of the objectives of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s forthcoming visit to Beijing is to push for a free trade accord between India and China, preliminary work on which has begun.
Malaysia-US FTA talks to resume on January 14
4-Jan-2008
Formal negotiations between Malaysia and the US are said to be scheduled to resume during the week of January 14 in Kuala Lumpur, according to Barbara Weisel, the US chief negotiator, adding that the US hopes to reach an agreement by the middle of the year.
Talks show China key player on world stage
4-Jan-2008 China Daily
Rcent bilateral talks with the major economies — US, Japan and EU — is solid proof of China’s emergence as a key player in the global economy.
Mexico workers, Church slam NAFTA
4-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
Mexican farmers and trade unions are protesting and carrying out legal actions against the North American Free Trade Agreement, for considering it a mortal blow against the national agricultural sector. The Catholic Church warned in official declarations that the elimination of taxes on subsidized imports of corn, bean, powder milk, and sugar may well force a large number of Mexican farmers to leave their lands.
Japanese loan mere ‘grease money’ for JPEPA—militant group
4-Jan-2008 PDI
A militant fisherfolk group opposed to the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement described as mere “grease money” the US$173 million loan granted to the Philippines by the Japanese government through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Gender issues in the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
4-Jan-2008 IGTN
Examines JPEPA’s implications on women’s productive and social reproductive work, and uses the framework of international care chain/care drain in analyzing the migration of Filipina health professionals abroad.
United States and Libya sign Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement
3-Jan-2008 US State Dept
The Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement is an important step in recognizing Libya’s renunciation of weapons of mass destruction, says the US State Department. It is a component of Washington’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Maghreb and broaden US-Libya bilateral relations.
Thailand: Agreement in trade talks with Korea
3-Jan-2008 Bangkok Post
Thailand has concluded free trade talks with South Korea under the Asean-Korea free trade agreement (AKFTA) after almost a year of negotiations. Under the deal, Thailand will be given more flexibility in cutting and/or waiving its tariffs compared to other Asean nations.
Legalizing terror: Canada-Colombia "free trade"
3-Jan-2008 rabble
Interview with Manuel Rozenthal, long-time international solidarity activist and surgeon, and member of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, about the proposed Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement,
Mexican farmers block border with US to protest free trade accord
2-Jan-2008 Xinhua
Some 200 Mexican farmers blocked on Tuesday the Cordoba-Americas bridge linking the country with the United States to protest the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
RP may lose up to P4B in JPEPA’s 1st year - DOF
2-Jan-2008 ABS-CBN
The Philippine government stands to lose P3 billion to P4 billion in revenues in the first year alone of the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, estimates by the Department of Finance showed.
Gulf states launch GCC common market
1-Jan-2008 Times of India
The six oil-rich Gulf monarchies ushered in the New Year on Tuesday by setting up a common market with a combined economy of 715 billion dollars.
FTAs and safety standards
1-Jan-2008 Economic Times
Unlike India, most Asean countries have a very robust regime of quality and safety standards for products imported into their markets. What that means under an India-ASEAN FTA is that Indian manufacturers, despite having lower entry tariffs into Asean, will still not be able to export their products unless they meet the strict safety and quality regulations of those countries.
Pak-Malaysia FTA to be operational from today
1-Jan-2008 Daily Times
Pakistan and Malaysia are set to enter into a free trade arrangement (FTA) from New Year today under Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (MPCEPA) 2008-2014.
Sri Lanka, India set to finalize bilateral trade agreement
1-Jan-2008 Colombo Page
India and Sri Lanka may finalise discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement this week
US uranium mining company plans poses threat to over one million Canadians
1-Jan-2008 The Canadian
Thanks to politicians corrupted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a US mining company is poised to make commercial profit by spreading uranium contamination across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
NZers raise concerns over free trade with China at global rights event
1-Jan-2008 Epoch Times
Christchurch supporters of the Human Rights Torch Relay are asking how New Zealand can consider a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China — a regime facing allegations of large-scale genocide and organ harvesting.
Japan scoffs at review of economic deal
31-Dec-2007 Manila Standard
Tokyo is not amenable to a renegotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement it has signed with Manila, according to an official of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines.
Human wall on Mexico-US border to protest NAFTA
29-Dec-2007 Prensa Latina
On January 1, Mexican farmers and social groups will make a human wall on the border checkpoint in Ciudad Juarez to protest against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).