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“Without corn, there is no country”
17-Mar-2008 Narco News
International Women’s Day marchers target NAFTA and free trade on the streets of San Cristóbal, Chiapas
Free trade talks with EU lose pace
16-Mar-2008 Telegraph
India and the European Union (EU) will have to give the December deadline for their free trade agreement a miss if differences persist over the negative list and non-tariff barriers to trade.
Locke says govt cannot sign FTA
16-Mar-2008 NewsTalk ZB
A Green MP says New Zealand cannot sign a free trade agreement with China while it continues to suppress Tibetan people.
Thailand-Myanmar investment protection agreement signed
15-Mar-2008 MCOT
Thailand and its neighbour Myanmar have signed an investment accord aimed at protecting Thai investors and boosting foreign stakes in the diplomatically-isolated country’s economy.
Switzerland to negotiate agriculture free trade agreement with EU
15-Mar-2008 Forbes
The Swiss government on Friday said it will negotiate a free-trade agreement on agricultural products and food with the European Union in a bid to increase competition in the sector.
Understanding the EPA - Most Favoured Nation concession a danger for the Caribbean
15-Mar-2008 Jamaica Gleaner
So concerned is Brazil about the Caribbean EPA that it sent, on February 5, a communication to the World Trade Organisation requesting a debate. Its concern is that the arrangement agreed with the European Commission may cause nations like India, China and others to cease to negotiate with nations like the Caribbean.
Korea-US FTA would put pressure on Aussie beef
15-Mar-2008
The expected quick resolution of the dispute now holding up a free trade deal between South Korea and the US will put Australian beef sales to our third largest export market under pressure.
"Investment barriers must go"
15-Mar-2008
The Third Ministerial meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Free Trade Agreement (SAPTA) hosted by India on March 3, 2008 in New Delhi, saw India pruning its "Negative List" from 744 items to around 500, for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the South Asian region such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives. Budget 2008-09
Sri Lanka could gain more in next phase of trade liberalization: study
15-Mar-2008
A new study on a south Asian regional trade deal has said Sri Lanka will gain more in the next phase of liberalisation but the island’s private sector representatives have expressed scepticism about the outcome.
’It’s Ok to Belong to More Trade Blocs’
15-Mar-2008
The East African Community (EAC) in November 2007 signed interim agreements with the European Union (EU) after the December 31 expiry of the Cotonou arrangement that gave preferential treatment to Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries accessing the EU market. Peter Kaujju, spoke to Chungu Mwila, the director for investment promotion and private sector development at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Free trade agreements and international investments
14-Mar-2008 Ecoportal
Developed countries see free trade agreements as forming part of a two-pronged strategy: to use international law to lay down market rules; and to give the appearance of legality to a system that allows States and their people to be exploited, robbed of their resources and wealth by excluding them from the international community and then legitimizing this exclusion
US looking forward to to seal FTA with Malaysia
14-Mar-2008 NST
The United States is looking forward to tie-up the Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia now that a new government has been formed after the 12th general election.
EU leaders agree on watered-down "Club Med" plan
14-Mar-2008 Reuters
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to a watered-down version of French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s grand design for a Mediterranean Union to boost ties with the bloc’s southern neighbours.
Integration advantage
14-Mar-2008 FDI Magazine
Further integration into Asean (the Association of South-east Asian Nations) is top of the agenda of ministers in all 10 member countries, and is impacting upon their trade and investment policies. This stems from two important steps: the signing of a charter last November to give more structure to Asean decision-making and the intention to establish a regional free trade zone by 2015.
What does "NAFTA-gate" mean for social movements?
13-Mar-2008 rabble
The current discussion of renegotiation of NAFTA presents a challenge for social movements, many of which prefer abrogation. But one thing it definitely offers is an opportunity to organize.
Central American leaders oppose preconditions for EU talks
13-Mar-2008 Earth Times
The leaders of Central America Wednesday agreed to finish negotiations about a new agreement with the European Union by early 2009 - but only if EU demands for preconditions such as changing local laws are dropped.
ITC launches new investigation on possible modification to the US-Chile FTA rules of origin
13-Mar-2008 Fresh Plaza
The investigation, Probable Economic Effect of Certain Modifications to the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin, was requested by the US Trade Representative (USTR)
Exploitation of RP nurses in New Zealand justifies Jpepa rejection
13-Mar-2008 OFW News
The reported exploitation of Filipino nurses in New Zealand gives a reason for the Senate to reject the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement, according to the Philippine Nurses Association.
EPA negotiations: State of play and strategic considerations for way forward
12-Mar-2008 South Centre
This South Centre Analytical Note overviews some of the main challenges that ACP governments face now in the EPA negotiations and provides suggestions regarding strategic options for the way forward.
Govt seeks inputs from industry for Japan CEPA
12-Mar-2008 Economic Times
The Indian government has asked industry to come up with an ‘offensive’ list of items of export interest to India in the Japanese market.