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Beware the northeastern free trade dream called Atlantica
26-Feb-2007 NUPGE
The Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees (PEIUPSE/NUPGE) is joining other Atlantic public sector unions in sounding the warning about Atlantica, a free trade scheme proposed for Eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
Thailand-Japan pact could damage auto-parts industry
26-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
A free trade agreement between Japan and Thailand could damage the attractiveness of the kingdom as an investment destination for high-technology auto-parts manufacturers from Japan with the introduction of a zero import-tariff rate, according to the Thai Auto-parts Manufacturers Association (Tapma).
US Alliance a distinct liability for Australia
26-Feb-2007 Online Opinion
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade report estimated that the benefits to Australia from the US FTA would be $ 9.9 billion over 20 years. That would amount to a mere $26.05 per person per year. Common sense suggests that it would be ridiculous to bargain away Australia’s sovereignty for such a “benefit”.
Gulf states must open markets, EU’s Mandelson says
26-Feb-2007 Bloomberg
The EU has agreed to reduce import tariffs on aluminum and petrochemicals from the Gulf to zero in an attempt to conclude their FTA negotiations. In return, the EU wants the limit on foreigners owning majority stakes in Gulf companies ended.
Labor sees Bush trade talks with Congress failing
25-Feb-2007 Reuters
The Bush administration is unlikely to reach a deal with the Democratic-led Congress to salvage free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Peru, the AFL-CIO said on Friday.
FTAs vital for China’s foreign trade: Vice Minister
25-Feb-2007 China Economic Net
Vice Minister of Commerce Yu Guangzhou has stressed the importance of Free Trade Areas (FTA) for China’s foreign trade development. "FTAs will expand rapidly over the next 10 years and economic heavyweights will become the leaders of this expansion," he said.
Israelis would like to join European Union
24-Feb-2007 Angus Reid
While Israel signed an association agreement with the EU in November 1995—which incorporates specific free trade regulations—the prospect of Israel’s full membership in the EU has never been seriously considered by either Israeli or European leaders.
The FTA with the US: To sign or not to sign?
24-Feb-2007 Tehran Times
While there are some benefits that will accrue to Malaysia from a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, the disadvantages, it is apparent, will outweigh its advantages.
Japan-Chile to sign free trade pact in March
24-Feb-2007 Gulf Daily News
Japan is expected to sign a free trade deal with Chile when the South American country’s foreign minister visits next month.
Trade deals to position UAE as economic hub
24-Feb-2007 Zawya
The UAE is negotiating eight free-trade agreements with key economic blocks that will have an impact on trade worth Dh388 billion, according to 2005 figures, and cement the country’s position as the economic hub of the Middle East.
Entering into a dangerous battle
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The military-installed Thai government is entering into a risky new battle with farmer’s groups and the anti-FTA movement by pressing ahead with the Thai-Japan free trade agreement. Thousands of farmers, environmental activists and medical patients now plan to stage a mass protest next month against the government’s pro-FTA policy.
Coup-installed govt seeks Japan’s approval via rushed trade pact
24-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
Despite an earlier announcement that all signing and negotiating of free trade agreements would be halted, the government of Gen Surayud Chulanont bit its tongue yet again, with the issuing of a cabinet resolution on Feb 20 stating its readiness to go ahead with the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA).
S Korean trade official hints at resolution of beef spat with US
23-Feb-2007 Yonhap
South Korea’s chief negotiator in free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the United States on Friday said the two sides could resolve a trade dispute over his country’s rejection of US beef shipments, one of a few lingering obstacles in the nine-month-old negotiations.
RI-Japan economic partnership agreement almost finished
23-Feb-2007 Antara
For Indonesia, the only issue left is about cooperation assistance for increasing its industrial capacity. Japan, meanwhile, is still awaiting the result of the discussion on the country’s draft capital investment law before it would sign the EPA.
India, Nepal begin talks to review trade treaty
23-Feb-2007 Times of India
With 11 days left for the bilateral trade pact between India and Nepal to lapse, the two neighbours started their two-day talks on Thursday to review the 11-year-old Indo-Nepal trade treaty.
US inspectors to examine trucks on Mexican soil
23-Feb-2007 Houston Chronicle
US safety inspectors will be allowed to inspect trucks on Mexican soil before they enter the United States under a program announced on Thursday that officials said will remove the last barrier to the long-delayed opening of US highways to Mexican truckers.
Peru, China to start trade talks this year
23-Feb-2007 Xinhua
Peru and China are expected to begin free trade talks this year with expert-level discussion to open next month, Peru’s Tourism and Foreign Trade Minister Mercedes Araoz said Thursday.
Free trade never was, never will be
23-Feb-2007 Lebanon Daily News
Free trade is now and always has been something of a fraud. No one ever advocates, much less implements, real free trade. Markets have to be managed, and everyone knows it. The question is, for whose benefit?
US "free trade": Death, drugs and despair in Colombia
23-Feb-2007 Huffington Post
The so-called "free trade" deal between Colombia and the US would likely displace hundreds of thousands of poor rural Colombians from their lands, sending them into far deeper economic despair-and forcing many of them to work for the very groups that violently displaced them from their lands. You can not make this agreement—or any similar past agreement—better by tinkering around the edges.
US not ready for Japan free trade talks: USTR
22-Feb-2007 Washington Post
A top US trade official on Thursday quashed business community hopes for the United States to begin talks on a free trade agreement with Japan after it finishes negotiations on a proposed pact with South Korea.