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Bullets and bananas: The violence of free trade in Guatemala
4-May-2008 Upside Down World
The ongoing violence against workers in Guatemala makes it clear that talk of free trade improving human rights in developing countries is lost in translation.
Thailand swaps gateway with Brazil to regional trade blocks
3-May-2008
Thailand and Brazil would swap the role of gateway to Asean and MERCOSUR trade block in the Latin America to boost trade of both sides, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said Tuesday.
PM again bats for EPA signed with Europe
3-May-2008
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has again sought to allay fears that CARIFORUM countries may have given up more than they will gain from the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
Japan dictates the pace of trade talks with Canberra
3-May-2008
Australia’s free trade talks with Japan are moving forward on Japanese lines. Four days of talks in Canberra have ended with promising offers on services and investment, and progress in all areas - except agriculture.
S. Koreans protest over US beef safety
2-May-2008 Yonhap
Some 10,000 South Koreans gathered in Seoul late Friday to peacefully protest the government’s decision to resume US beef imports, despite outcry over the safety of the product once banned over concersn of mad cow disease.
Bahrain exports to US dive 10%
2-May-2008 MENAFN
The US has emerged as the main beneficiary of the free trade agreement with Bahrain as the value of US exports to Bahrain amounted to $529 million during August 2006 to July 2007, up 28 per cent compared to the corresponding period a year earlier, a leading parliamentarian and economist said.
International investment agreements: A survey of environmental, labour and anti-corruption issues
2-May-2008 OECD
This paper surveys the societal dimension of 296 international investment agreements (IIAs) signed by the 30 member countries and of by the 9 non-member countries that participate formally in OECD investment work.
S Korean workers rally against free trade pact
1-May-2008
Thousands of South Korean workers rallied Thursday against a planned free trade pact with the United States and the pro-market policies of new President Lee Myung-Bak.
Israel, EU agree on trade concessions
1-May-2008 Jerusalem Post
Once the agreement comes into effect, export volumes of Israeli processed foods to the EU are expected to more than double. "These concessions represent a major step forward in the integration of the EU and Israeli markets," the European Commission said.
The labor movement’s principled position on Colombia FTA
1-May-2008 Huffington Post
Lately, the US labor movement has been accused of "lying" about the violence confronting unionists in Colombia. The accusers’ argument is that "only" 39 unionists were killed last year in Colombia. Commentators who use "only" and "merely" to describe 39 murders do not value the sanctity of human life. In addition, they ignore the fact that, even while union killings declined in 2007, the Colombian military’s share of such killings actually rose.
Canada has recently started bilateral investment treaty negotiations with Tanzania, Mongolia, Madagascar, Indonesia and Vietnam
1-May-2008 Trade Lawyers Blog
Canada is becoming more engaged in international treaty negotiation and has recently announced that: Canada and Tanzania; Canada and Mongolia; Canada and Madagascar; Canada and Indonesia; and Canada and Vietnam have agreed to begin negotiations towards a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).
Venezuela to renegotiate Dutch investment treaty
1-May-2008 Reuters
Venezuela plans to renegotiate a bilateral investment treaty with the Netherlands because oil companies have started "abusing" the agreement, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Wednesday.
GCC: Free trade agreements mark a major shift in trade policy
1-May-2008 Gulf News
FTAs mark a major shift in the policy of GCC countries’ foreign trade. They have just signed one with EFTA, concluded talks with Singapore earlier this year and made strides in signing similar deals with China, India, Pakistan, Japan, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand. Further FTA talks are expected to begin soon with Iran and South Korea, while the EU hesitates.
US-Korea beef protocol (2008)
1-May-2008
Marshall: Limit EPA to trading of goods
30-Apr-2008
For the moment, Caribbean countries should limit signing of the full Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe in the trade of goods section.
European Union prods RP on drafting PCA
30-Apr-2008 Yehey
The European Union has urged the Philippines to start negotiations for the partnership cooperation agreement, a prerequisite deal for Manila to qualify in the comprehensive free-trade agreement between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
SADC needs EU - Gurirab
30-Apr-2008
The Southern African Development Community countries need assistance and cooperation from the European Union to overcome development challenges in the spirit of partnership, said Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, at the first regional ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in the southern African region.
Sheikha Lubna hopes to sign FTA with US soon
30-Apr-2008
Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi said on Tuesday that she hoped the UAE would soon sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.
Round three of negotiations between the European Union and the Andean Community
30-Apr-2008 Upside Down World
The third round of negotiations for an association agreement between the European Union and the Andean Community (CAN), which took place between April 21st and 25th in Quito, began with a discussion of the asymmetries that exist between the two regions.
Free trade between Turkey and Albania
30-Apr-2008 Turkish Press
The agreement which establishes a free trade zone between Turkey and Albania, will come into force on May 1st.