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JPEPA: Gross violation of the Constitution
26-Oct-2007 Magkaisa Junk JPEPA
The JPEPA was based on the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement, literally employing the "cut-and-paste" method. Page 71 of the Working Draft of the JPEPA still contains the word Singapore in one of the provisions.
Colombia’s workers, peasants need int’l solidarity
26-Oct-2007 Workers World
Even the New York Times, which has reported very little about the horrendous violence against Colombia’s workers and campesinos, in an Oct. 8 editorial recommended that the pending Free Trade Agreement with Colombia be delayed because “President Álvaro Uribe and his government have not done enough to bring to justice the paramilitary thugs-and their political backers-responsible for widespread human rights violations.”
Using Chávez as counterpoint, Bush pursues Latin trade pacts
26-Oct-2007 NYT
The Bush administration has enlisted an unlikely ally in its international trade agenda: Hugo Chávez, the leftist president of Venezuela, who makes a practice of denouncing United States’ influence in Latin America.
NZ: Free-trade agreement with India on agenda
26-Oct-2007 Radio New Zealand
New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff will be pushing forward with a proposal for a study into a free-trade agreement with India when he meets representatives of the Indian business community on Friday. Mr Goff says India is potentially a huge market for New Zealand and is becoming even more significant with growth of between 8% and 9% every year.
China, Costa Rica to begin FTA process
26-Oct-2007 China Daily
China and Costa Rica said they will conduct a feasibility study on a free trade agreement — four months after the two established formal diplomatic ties.
EU negotiations launch, so does opposition
25-Oct-2007 Tico Times
As negotiations between the European Union and Central America over an association agreement kicked off this week, so did something else: opposition.
Free Trade undermining democracy in Costa Rica
25-Oct-2007 Alliance for Democracy
Democracy in Costa Rica was undermined after several violations to costarrican law.
Legal obstacles emerge over free trade deal with Europe
25-Oct-2007 Business Daily Africa
A landmark case has entered the Kenyan corridors of justice as a group of farmers and a human rights watchdog move to challenge the State over ongoing negotiations for a new trade agreement with Europe.
Nurses pray for Senate rejection of RP-Japan pact
25-Oct-2007 GMANews
Some 2,000 Filipino nurses holding a convention in Cagayan de Oro lit candles and prayed on Wednesday for the Philippine Senate to reject the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
EU tries to establish Mediterranean free trade zone, meets fierce opposition
25-Oct-2007 AC
Friends of the Earth MedNet has lodged a fierce protest against European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson for his part in attempting to establish a free trade zone encompassing the countries around the Mediterranean, including non-EU member countries.
European Commission presents roadmap for negotiating trade agreements with ACP countries
24-Oct-2007 DG Trade
For the European Commission, the end of 2007 represents a firm deadline for negotiating the goods market access element of the Economic Partnership Agreements
FTA with EFTA states would benefit Indonesia: Etter
24-Oct-2007 Jakarta Post
A free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association would be of benefit to Indonesia, Switzerland’s trade negotiator Ambassador Christian Etter says.
NGOs accuse miffed Mandy of neo-imperialism
24-Oct-2007 Guardian
Peter Mandelson is feeling misunderstood. As EU trade commissioner, he stands accused of being a neo-colonialist trying to railroad through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries within the next few weeks.
Bolivia: Chancellor Choquehuanca travels to Mexico to sign bilateral agreements
24-Oct-2007 Red Bolivia
Choquehuanca’s trip has the purpose of open better markets that go beyond the Free Trade Agreement signed with Mexico ten years ago.
Vanuatu/Taiwan bilateral trade agreement still in place, says Taipei
24-Oct-2007 Radio Zealand International
Taiwan says the bilateral trade agreement it signed with Vanuatu in 2004 still needs to be implemented. However the current Government led by Ham Lini is a staunch supporter of the One China Policy.
US Congress to approve FTA with Korea ’in 2008’
24-Oct-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s ambassador to Washington Lee Tae-sik believes the free trade agreement between Korea and the US will be ratified sometime next year.
France backs Morocco push for closer EU ties
24-Oct-2007 Reuters
Sarkozy said he hoped Morocco would play a "leading role" in a Mediterranean Union.
Canada-Korea FTA would destroy jobs in all provinces and regions
24-Oct-2007 CAW
If the Canadian federal government proceeds with a free trade agreement with Korea as promised, the impact on Canadian communities would be disastrous, according to a new study released by the CAW on October 23.
Canada-South-Korea free trade deal would cost thousands of jobs, says union study
24-Oct-2007 Canada Press
The Canadian Auto Workers has called on the three opposition parties in Ottawa to vote down any Canada-Korea free trade agreement in order to save Canadian jobs. CAW’s internal analysis predicts the trade deal would cost over 33,000 jobs.
Canada aims to match US-Korea trade deal: minister
24-Oct-2007 Reuters
Canada is entering a difficult final phase of free-trade negotiations with South Korea and needs to secure a deal if it wants to be able to compete with the United States in Asia, Trade Minister David Emerson said on Tuesday.