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USDA says "managed" trade agreements would hurt NAFTA
24-Jan-2008 Brownfield Network
Sugar producers in the US and Mexico are suggesting new trade limits and rules for sugar be considered. But USDA Under Secretary Mark Keenum, one of the dignitaries recently in Mexico to celebrate the full implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, says no single commodity should be allowed to set new trade rules.
Revisiting (and reworking) NAFTA
24-Jan-2008 Thomas.net
As US presidential candidates jockey for position in the primaries, free trade has taken a more prominent role than anyone expected. And with the nation grappling with the threat of recession, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been coming under fire. A recently introduced bill would require improving NAFTA — or withdrawing from it.
No commitments to implementing the Arab Free Trade Agreement
24-Jan-2008 Dar Al Hayat
The president of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists questions the fate of the Arab Free Trade Agreement ten years after its actual implementation.
Guyana mulls over membership in ALBA
24-Jan-2008 El Universal
Guyana Monday announced it would delay its entry into the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) — a regional economic integration project boosted by Venezuela to counter the Free Trade Area of the Americas proposed by the United States. "We will see what happens now, as we initialed the Economic Cooperation Agreement with Europe," Guyana’s Foreign Minister said.
Bangladesh eyes FTA with China
24-Jan-2008 MySinchew
Bangladesh is eying a free trade agreement (FTA) with its biggest trading partner China. As the country has achieved a little from many multilateral and regional deals, the government plans to improve its two-way trade with major trading partners, sources said.
China, Peru to set up free trade agreement
24-Jan-2008 CCTV
Talks between China and Peru to set up a free trade agreement are well underway. The Andean country says it hopes to become China’s most important commercial link in Latin America.
Text of US-Mexican sugar industry deal (2008)
23-Jan-2008 IATP
The US and Mexican sugar industry are trying to get a deal adopted by their governments to regulate sugar trade, now that NAFTA has dismanteled all remaining tariffs between the two countries as of 1 January 2008.
FairTrade renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
23-Jan-2008 FairTrade renews call for JPEPA renegotiation
Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, lead convenor of the multi-sectoral Fair Trade Alliance (FairTrade), is hoping that Senator Mar Roxas, who is now proposing the full ratification of JPEPA, will still change his mind.
Which India, Mr Brown?
22-Jan-2008 The Guardian
The EU’s stated aim is to use its planned free trade agreement to open up new Indian markets to European exports, especially in those areas which have traditionally been closed to foreign companies. India, which aims to win opportunities for its own exports, has asked that it be allowed some flexibility in opening up its domestic markets in order to protect the most vulnerable sectors of its economy. The EU has refused to grant India any such leeway.
Mexico farmers sow NAFTA dissent
22-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
The Mexican farmers heading to the capital in rejection of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are growing along their way.
Ecowas EPA - the facts and the falacies
22-Jan-2008 AllAfrica.com
From Ken Ukaoha, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS)
EU keen to renegotiate Mauritania fish deal
22-Jan-2008 Reuters
European Commission experts will head to Mauritania later this week to renegotiate the EU’s most valuable fishing deal with another country. The European Union has signed more than 20 bilateral fishing agreements, nearly all with developing countries and mostly in Africa, that give the EU a substantial extra supply of fish. The deal with Mauritania is the largest and most valuable.
EU eyes new bilateral pact with Vietnam by next year
22-Jan-2008 Thanh Nien
EU members are keen to press ahead with the bilateral Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Vietnam. Replacing a 1995 pact, the proposed new agreement will cover areas ranging from trade and investment to science and technology, education, culture, justice, the environment and security.
Don’t pursue ’free trade’ policies: PANG
22-Jan-2008 FBCL
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) says Pacific governments should not pursue foreign imposed ‘free trade’ policies that will lead to business closures and more job losses. This follows news that Flour Mills of Fiji has closed down two milling factories and put on hold $30 million worth of projects that would have created 120 new jobs.
Gulf lacks coordination on key issues in free trade talks
22-Jan-2008 Gulf News
GCC countries need to have a strong coordinated stance in the free trade talks with the European Union, top Arab officials demanded on Sunday. "The Europeans get the lion’s share out of any deal they break in the GCC, while we incur the losses and burdens," said Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry.
US cool to RP’s proposal for free trade agreement
22-Jan-2008 ABS-CBN
The United States remains lukewarm to the Philippines’ push for a free trade agreement. While the US is seeking Philippine support in the WTO talks, the Philippines is asking the US government to move forward on an FTA or at least craft a new trade and investment framework agreement.
Little benefit for China in NZ free trade arrangement, says Chinese Association
22-Jan-2008 NZ Herald
Kai Luey, president of the New Zealand Chinese Association, says China is using its first free trade agreement as a "guinea pig" to deals with other countries while New Zealand’s dairy industry will be the big winner from the pact.
US heels duty-free Honduran socks
22-Jan-2008 Marketplace
A trade war has erupted between the US and Honduras. The two countries are fighting over...socks. Bush says Honduran socks are causing serious damage to American sock-makers, so he wants to impose a hefty import tax on socks from Honduras.
Mexico anti-NAFTA march moves to capital
21-Jan-2008 Prensa Latina
The Mexican farmer march against the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will enter Sunday the city of Chihuahua on its way to this capital.
NZ: Formal talks end on free trade with China
21-Jan-2008 Radio New Zealand
New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff says formal talks have now ended on a free trade deal with China. He says all outstanding issues have been resolved after 15 rounds of negotiations. Negotiators will now work their way through about 1000 pages of text before the deal goes to Cabinet for approval.