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Congressman to introduce India trade legislation
3-Dec-2007 Reuters
A US congressman said on Sunday he planned to introduce legislation calling for the United States to begin talks with India on a free trade agreement.
EU, GCC fail to end free trade obstacles
3-Dec-2007 Khaleej Times
The Gulf Cooperation Council and 25-member European Union failed on Sunday to overcome obstacles to a free trade agreement that has eluded them for nearly 20 years, the Qatari finance minister said.
International trade tribunals seen trumping state laws
3-Dec-2007 Boston Globe
States around the US are growing increasingly worried about the threats posed to their laws and regulations by the secret tribunals that resolve disputes in international trade. "Free trade agreements are to state sovereignty and economic development what global climate change is to the environment and natural resources," said state Sen. Virginia Lyons, D-Chittenden.
Key parties pledge to review all FTAs
2-Dec-2007
Key political parties yesterday pledged to review free trade agreements (FTA) with Japan and other countries. Representatives of the Democrat and Matchimathipataya parties agreed that the FTA with Japan, formally the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), should be reviewed.
Delhi shifts aim to bigger ball
1-Dec-2007 Bangkok Post
The much-hyped free trade area (FTA) negotiations between Thailand and India seem to be stalling, as the latter’s focus has shifted toward the much-bigger Asean-India FTA, a leading Thai negotiator says
East Africa: EPA signed to ’’protect’’ small farmers
1-Dec-2007 IPS
The East African Community signed a framework agreement with the European Union to ensure continued access to EU markets for African small farmers, says Juma Mwapachu, secretary general of the East African regional body.
Solomons agrees to negotiate interim agreement
1-Dec-2007 Solomon Times
Solomon Islands will not sign an interim Agreement if Pacific-ACP countries fail to complete negotiations of the European Partnership Agreement by the end of December. "We should not be rushed or influenced by either regional solidarity or integration to sign any agreement that may prove disadvantageous to our development," Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Patteson Oti stated.
Sierra Leone to press ahead with EU trade deal
1-Dec-2007 AFP
Sierra Leone will press ahead to sign accords to liberalise trade with the European Union that have been heavily criticised by anti-poverty lobby groups, a minister said on Friday.
NGO hits trade official, proposes conditionalities on JPEPA
30-Nov-2007 NGO hits trade official, proposes conditionalities on JPEPA
The multisectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade) hits Ambassador Manuel Teehankee when he revealed that he’s “guessing too much” on the projected gains that the country will be getting on the JPEPA during a Senate hearing presided by Sen. Mar Roxas on Friday.
India-EU FTA may be delayed
30-Nov-2007 http://www.financialexpress.com/new...
Sharp differences on modalities for the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) have begun surfacing. It seems unlikely that the proposed FTA would be finalised by 2008, the deadline set by India.
European treaty may revive debate over power to conclude investment agreements
30-Nov-2007 ITN
The debate over who in the European Union (EU) holds the legal authority to conclude international investment agreements (IIAs) with non-European countries — the European Community or individual Member States — is set to intensify as the EU Reform Treaty throws dust into an already hazy situation.
CALABARZON workers and the imminent danger posed by JPEPA
29-Nov-2007
On September 10, 2006, the governments of Japan and the Philippines signed the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in the Asia-Europe Meeting in Helsinki, Finland. JPEPA, the Philippines’ first full-fledged bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), was signed despite protests from the Filipino people even at its proposal stage in 2002.
China changes agriculture investment restrictions
28-Nov-2007 SeedQuest
On October 31, China’s "Industrial Catalog for Foreign Investment (2007 Amendment)", providing guidance for investments that the Chinese Government favors, discourages, or bans, was approved by the State Council and published. It will become effective on December 1, 2007.
Letter from Colombian unions to US Congress
28-Nov-2007 Mingas
In the framework of the debate in the respective congresses around the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the United States, the Administration of Alvaro Uribe Vélez has spread the idea in governmental circles in the United States that the Colombian union movement is divided and that "a majority" sector supports the TLC. In this document, we will demonstrate that this idea does not reflect the reality of the Colombian union movement.
Malaysia’s racial policies draw international scrutiny
28-Nov-2007 Asia Sentinel
Malaysia’s racial policies look as though they could become an international issue rather than a purely domestic one. A Free Trade Agreement with the US is stalled partly on the issue of racial preferences. And if the much vaunted ASEAN Free Trade Area is to allow free movement of capital and skilled labor, Malays cannot be shielded from competition with ASEAN’s 400 million people.
Mexico to protest NAFTA enforcement
28-Nov-2007 Prensa Latina
Imminent opening of the Mexican market to tax-free imports from the US and Canada is source of protests 34 days short of enforcing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
EU and Iraq in third round talks for trade and cooperation agreement
28-Nov-2007 BI-ME
The European Union and Iraq are holding the third round of negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) in Brussels from 27-29 November.
Consultations held on India-EU trade pact
28-Nov-2007 The Hindu
Fishermen want 40 varieties in the negative list
Asean FTA: Time to introspect on domestic oilseed cultivation
28-Nov-2007 Hindu Business Line
In the absence of a clear strategy to put our own house in order, the India-ASEAN FTA negotiations appear to be farcical. Negotiations are conducted between equals and in a level playing field. But here is a situation where everyone knows India is vulnerable.
Israel-S. America trade deal imminent
28-Nov-2007 Jerusalem Post
Mercosur, South America’s four-nation trading bloc, is poised to clinch a historic free-trade pact with Israel, officials said Wednesday.