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US, Malaysia could strike trade deal next year - USTR
28-Aug-2007 Reuters
The United States and Malaysia could finish talks on a free trade agreement in 2008, even though the Bush administration has lost key legislative authority, a top US trade official said on Monday.
Kenya: EPAs could delay EU bid
28-Aug-2007 AllAfrica.com
Uncertainty is looming in Kenya’s horticultural sector following the move by the five EAC member states to sign one Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which they say could take much longer time than was previously anticipated.
The politics of corporate party crashing
27-Aug-2007 rabble
The North American global justice movement just exposed the “Security and Prosperity Partnership” (SPP), the latest corporate assault on our democracy, environment and human rights. As activists assess their next steps, many wonder: can we still work together, dig the SPP’s grave still deeper, and then push it in? And where do we go from there?
Forum on food sovereignty in Korea
27-Aug-2007 LVC
Jose Bove said that the fight against EPA (Economic Partnership Agreements) is more difficult than the one against WTO because this only involves a few countries.
Repression on FTA opponents denounced
27-Aug-2007 Prensa Latina
The Costa Rican Human Rights Association denounced the increase of the police repression against local citizens, students and social leaders opposed to the Free Trade Agreement with US in their Sunday statement.
Korea to send draft proposal on FTA with EU
27-Aug-2007 Chosun Ilbo
It will specify when and how much Korea is willing to open its agricultural sector, the most sensitive area in free trade talks.
Asean eyes completion of FTA talks with Australia, New Zealand in ’08
27-Aug-2007 Nasdaq.com
Asean economic ministers said while "considerable progress" has been made on the proposed comprehensive FTA with Australia-New Zealand, concluding talks this year is unlikely because the next phase of the negotiations "would be critical and intense."
El Salvador approves FTA with Taiwan
27-Aug-2007 Taipei Times
Under the FTA, El Salvador could export up to 60,000 tonnes of sugar tariff-free to Taiwan each year
The elephant and the rising sun: Alliance for the future
27-Aug-2007 IntelliBriefs
India is prime "real estate" for Japan, both in economic and defense terms. Most importantly, India is a large consumer market with the potential to increase profits for Japanese corporations.
Tanzania hindering regional trade talks with Europe
26-Aug-2007 AllAfrica.com
The East African Community (EAC) is set to sign an economic pact with the European Union ahead of a December 31 deadline to avoid losing the lucrative export markets in Europe, but Tanzania is yet to agree to the plan, Kenyan official has disclosed.
Malaysia: EU hopes to complete FTA in two years: Ambassador
26-Aug-2007 Sinchew-i
“Malaysia has too many regulations and guidelines which hinders its competitiveness, free market and fair competition" EU ambassador to Malaysia said.
Japan, ASEAN reach FTA, but rice excluded
26-Aug-2007 Japan Today
Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reached a free trade agreement Saturday, under which Tokyo will immediately repeal tariffs on 90% of imports from ASEAN by value to catch up with China and South Korea in intensifying regional FTA races.
Arroyo on FTA promo blitz but environmentalists worry
26-Aug-2007 Japan Times
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s team has begun a high-profile public relations blitz to urge the Senate to ratify a free-trade pact with Japan.
ASEAN-India FTA faces roadblock
26-Aug-2007 AP
Southeast Asia and India remain far apart in their 4-year-old efforts to forge a free trade agreement, differing on the speed and range of liberalization, officials said Friday.
US-Korean food fight
26-Aug-2007 FPIF
The US government is working to deny South Koreans the right to local food and to undermine their domestic food safety laws through the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
ASEAN and Japan near agreement on free trade
25-Aug-2007 ABS-CBN
The draft on trade in goods has been completed and they will now discuss the agreement on services and investment.
UNI solidarity mission urges Costa Rica to reject the proposed Free Trade Agreement
24-Aug-2007 UNI Telecom
UNI Telecom Americas President told the Minister of Labour and Deputies from the Costa Rica National Assembly that the country should look to lessons from other free trade agreements, including from his country Mexico, where poverty had not decreased and the minimum wage was in effect lower than before the 43 trade agreements signed by Mexico.
Japan eyes tuna in trade pact with Philippines
24-Aug-2007 UPI
What the Japanese government and its transnational fishing clients are really after are the Philippines’ precious tunas.
JPEPA reduces RP into an insurance firm for Japanese investors
24-Aug-2007 GMA News
JPEPA is said to harbor “highly anomalous" arrangements, one of which is reducing the Philippines government to an insurance company for Japanese investors
A new dawn in Latin America
24-Aug-2007 Monthly Review
The Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America (ALBA) has deepened its roots. While others were talking about the “end of history,” new protagonists emerged all over Latin America.