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First meeting of ALBA ministers concludes in Venezuela
8-Jun-2007
The countries that make up the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) trade block met in Venezuela this Wednesday for a meeting of the ALBA Ministers. The meeting set forth some of the future integration projects, the organizational structure, and the countries agreed on the formation of an ALBA development bank.
EU sponsors new study on EPAs
8-Jun-2007
Uganda will benefit from a $64,000 fund from the European Union aimed at supporting studies on the likely impact of international trade on its environment.
Africans speak out against EPAs as unwelcome
8-Jun-2007
When European campaigners suggest that a free trade deal could harm the poor, they typically encounter a frosty reaction from civil servants in Brussels. Still, no one tries to muzzle them.
Japan, Australia to attend to agriculture in FTA talks
8-Jun-2007
Japan and Australia agreed Thursday to pay close attention to Tokyo’s politically sensitive agricultural issues when they advance talks for a bilateral free-trade agreement, the next round of which is slated for late July.
Thai logistics must improve for ASEAN-China FTA
8-Jun-2007
Thailand must address its logistics problems if it wants to receive full benefit from the ASEAN-China free trade area agreement, to be effective on 2010, according to new research.
Viet Nam, Japan enter third round of trade negotiations
8-Jun-2007 Viet Nam News
The third round of negotiations to draft the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) opened in Tokyo yesterday.
EU, ACP determined to meet end-of-year deadline for EPAs
7-Jun-2007
Leaders from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states have vowed once again to work to finalise a set of free trade agreements with the EU before a critical end-of-year deadline, although many issues in the negotiations remain unresolved.
Secret FTA deal could lower meat safety standards
7-Jun-2007
In a secret deal struck just before the two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in early April, the South Korean government promised the US it would offer a "de facto" relinquishment of its authority to conduct hygiene and quarantine tests on US imported beef.
Emerson announces new trade strategy for Canada
7-Jun-2007
Trade Minister David Emerson, denouncing those who fear Canadians can’t compete internationally, announced Thursday a new strategy that includes the first free trade deal Canada has struck in six years.
Japan urges Indonesia to finalize investment list
7-Jun-2007
Indonesia needs to finalize the negative lists of investment from Japan because any delay could potentially hamper the signing of the long-awaited Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), a Japanese envoy said Thursday.
Uribe, back in Washington, lobbies for trade accord
7-Jun-2007
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will press reluctant US lawmakers today for a free-trade accord as concern mounts at home that without a treaty, the country may see resurgent rebel violence and drug trafficking.
Japanese check in to Thai hospitals
7-Jun-2007
More Japanese nationals will receive medical treatment at Thailand’s private hospitals in 2007, according to a new survey conducted by Kasikorn Research Centre.
CAFTA referendum in Costa Rica postponed
7-Jun-2007
The Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) announced yesterday that it is postponing a nationwide referendum on the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) from Sept. 23 to Oct. 7 as a high court examines whether the assembly violated its procedures in its handling of legislation related to the pact.
Nelson Seeks Action in Face of Resumed South Korean Beef Ban
7-Jun-2007
This week, South Korea once again instituted a blanket ban on U.S. beef imports after a paperwork error led to U.S. beef intended for domestic consumption to be sent to South Korea. Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson today announced that he would seek a U.S. response to the South Koreans’ action.
Canada "back in the game" with EFTA trade deal
7-Jun-2007
Canada and four European nations have completed negotiations for a free trade agreement, the country’s trade minister said on Thursday, saying Ottawa needs to seal more such deals to compete globally.
Gloria pushes free trade between Asean, Europe
7-Jun-2007
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has expressed confidence that the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement between the economic power bloc of the European Union and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations can be concluded in November.
‘S. Korea-US Alliance Manifested in FTA’
7-Jun-2007
The half-century Korea-U.S. military alliance will continue to evolve throughout the 21st century because of the two countries’ ``convergence of national interests’’ beyond security issues, the top U.S. military officer said.
Controversial Philippine-Japan free trade deal not to be approved in 13th Congress
7-Jun-2007 AHN
The controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, the free trade deal signed between Manila and Tokyo, will have to wait for the next Congress for ratification, as the document is not included in agenda in the last three plenary sessions of the 13th Congress of the Philippines this week.
Will EU break promise to poor?
7-Jun-2007 Financial Times
Letter to the Editors, Financial Times, 25 May 2007, on the proposed intellectual property provisions of the EPAs.
June 11th in DC: People’s Forum on the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement
6-Jun-2007 www.kaft.org
Monday, June 11th, a free People’s Forum on the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement will be held in Washington DC - All are welcome!