bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

Africa: EPAs clashing with Everything-But-Arms trade scheme?
12-Sep-2007 IPS
The proposed economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which are due to come into force beginning next year, may undermine the benefits of another European Union trade initiative, called Everything-But-Arms, for the sugar industry.
JPEPA: Para Saan? Para Kanino?
12-Sep-2007 FairTrade
We at the Fair Trade Alliance are not convinced that the JPEPA is a good template for a productive, balanced and win-win trade and economic partnership between Japan and the Philippines.
Protesters disrupt US-NZ Partnership Forum by forcing venue change
12-Sep-2007 Scoop
New Zealanders are being warned to keep a close eye on their government’s attempts to sneak through free trade deal with the United States in the wake of protests in Auckland today.
Asean FTA may be a no-show
11-Sep-2007 Economic Times
The much-hyped proposed free trade agreement between India and Asean seems to be running into trouble. Asean’s demand that India bring down customs duties on four sensitive agricultural commodities to levels much lower than what New Delhi finds ‘acceptable’ has put a question mark over the deal.
Middle East: Bridging the Shia-Sunni divide with free trade
11-Sep-2007 IPS
While Iran and the United States exchange aggressive statements, the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have been busy building trade relations with Tehran and charting an economic course with a potential of mending ties in a tough neighbourhood.
US, NZ ’on a date’ for free trade pact
11-Sep-2007 NZ Herald
"We have already cut a free trade deal with Australia. We ought to do one with New Zealand," said US Chamber of Commerce president Tom Donohue
Mexico’s President Calderon in India to boost bilateral trade, strengthen political ties
11-Sep-2007 IHT
India and Mexico on Monday signed an agreement to scale up trade and investment
Permanent Court of Arbitration to set up facility in Singapore
11-Sep-2007 Channel News Asia
With rapid growth in the Asian economies, it is inevitable that legal issues and disputes to matters like investment treaties will arise as more and more parties enter into cross-border contracts and agreements.
Legal and development implications of inclusion of services in the EPAs
11-Sep-2007 Voices from the South Centre
South Centre has issued a policy brief "Why inclusion of services in the EPAs is problematic" which analyses legal and development implications for Eastern and Southern African countries in negotiating trade in services under the EPAs.
JTEPA to boost Thai business but lower Japan’s investment : Kosit
11-Sep-2007 Nation
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said the Japan Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) will help boost Thailand’s business potential but Japan’s investment in Thailand will fall.
Hong Kong suitor hopes to tie the knot
11-Sep-2007 NZ Herald
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang, is optimistic that a free trade agreement between New Zealand and Hong Kong can be concluded.
We’ll break US free trade barrier - Nats
11-Sep-2007 Stuff
National leader John Key today unveiled plans to negotiate a free trade agreement with the US, which the government is yet to succeed in doing since it came to power in 1999.
Democrats change FTA views
11-Sep-2007 LBC
More and more US Democrats, many of whom have been skeptical about the Bush administration’s trade agenda in Latin America, now support pending free trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, and Panama.
New Zealand presses case for free trade deal with US
11-Sep-2007 AFP
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark pressed her country’s case for a free trade deal with the US Monday, saying it would benefit both countries.
Lawmakers seek probe of free trade deal with U.S.
11-Sep-2007 Yonhap
A non-partisan group of 82 lawmakers filed a request with Korea’s National Assembly Monday, asking for a parliamentary probe of a free trade deal between South Korea and the United States which awaits legislative approval in both countries.
Sri Lanka should make better use of existing trade deals: experts
11-Sep-2007 LBO
Trade analysts say that Sri Lanka should make the most of existing trade deals like the Bay of Bengal Initiative before negotiating more bilateral and multilateral agreements.
Bangladesh: Govt to study impact of free trade deals with neighbours
11-Sep-2007 Daily Star
The caretaker government of Bangladesh has initiated a study on the impact of striking free trade agreements (FTAs) with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
S. Korea, Peru agree to begin FTA discussions
11-Sep-2007 Yonhap
South Korea and Peru agreed to launch discussions on forming a bilateral free trade agreement during a summit between South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Peruvian President Alan Garcia
Group says new fertilizer aid tied to JPEPA
11-Sep-2007 Inquirer
The Philippine national fishermen’s alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas has voiced out suspicions that the timing of the release of a P125-million fertilizer grant from the Japanese government was “closely linked” to the approval of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
US Congress postpones deliberation on KORUS FTA
11-Sep-2007 Donga
Leaders of the US Congress have reportedly decided to approve the US-Colombia FTA before deliberating the Korea-US FTA.