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Police counter anti-FTA protests
7-Dec-2006 Korea Herald
The Korean government mobilized 45,000 riot police yesterday to thwart banned protests as crucial talks on forging a free trade agreement with the United States faltered. But 20,000 people managed to take part in street demonstrations in Seoul and nine other places.
Chief US negotiator likens South Korean-US trade process to dating
7-Dec-2006 MSU
Wendy Cutler, the chief negotiator of a proposed free trade agreement with South Korea, told an audience at Montana State University Tuesday that the process is much like dating — both countries were ready to find out how compatible they could be on trade issues.
Workers protest US, S Korea FTA
7-Dec-2006 NDTV
Thousands of farmers and factory workers took to the streets of Seoul on Wednesday to protest against a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the US.
S. Korean prime minister says FTA with EU is mandatory, not optional
7-Dec-2006 Yonhap
A free trade agreement betwen South Korea and the European Union (EU) is mandatory, not optional, South Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook said Wednesday.
A US-Middle East trade agreement: A circle of opportunity?
6-Dec-2006 Peterson Institute
In 2003 President George W Bush proposed a US-Middle East free trade agreement (FTA) to bring “an expanding circle of opportunity” to the region. This new book from the Peterson Institute examines whether an FTA can achieve this goal and the trajectory for a likely agreement.
South-South strategic alternatives to the global economic system and power regime
6-Dec-2006 TNI
An exciting development is the number of new South-South inter-governmental alliances that are emerging to defend their interests and challenge the bias of the current global trade and investment regime.
US-India MoU on IPR (2006)
6-Dec-2006
Rights Commission urges end to FTA protest ban
6-Dec-2006 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s National Human Rights Commission recommended Tuesday that the police lift a ban on a protests against a free trade agreement between Korea and the US.
China’s grand plans for Africa a two-way trade
6-Dec-2006 AllAfrica.com
Trade with China is likely to become an increasingly politically sensitive issue for a number of countries on the continent. That is because China is essentially buying the continent’s oil and minerals and selling back manufactured goods, a type of relationship redolent of a colonial one and similar to most of Africa’s existing trade relations with Europe and the US.
Senators in no rush to OK RP-Japan pact
6-Dec-2006 INQ7
The Philippine Senate isn’t keen on convening the committee of the whole to tackle the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) this month, further setting back the ratification of the economic deal.
Old trade beefs to resurface at ACP meet
6-Dec-2006 IPS
Not many Caribbean leaders are expected to attend the two-day summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group starting in Sudan Thursday, but the region will follow its agenda quite keenly, including a proposed Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and a new threat to its ailing banana industry.
Australia and S Korea to study FTA
6-Dec-2006 News.com.au
Australia and South Korea have agreed to begin private feasibility studies ahead of possible full negotiations on a free trade deal.
Protests against Korea-US FTA continue in Montana
6-Dec-2006 PSL
Sentiment against the bilateral free trade agreement currently being negotiated between the US and South Korean governments is growing. As it does, so is the repression against those who are leading the movement.
Leaked letter from the EC’s Falkenberg and Manservisi to Tavola on Pacific EPA
5-Dec-2006 Article in the Financial Times
Letter leaked to the Financial Times outlining the European Commission’s response to the Pacific’s proposals on their EPA, rejecting most of them.
Korean government’s repression on the anti-KorUS FTA movement intensified
5-Dec-2006 KoA
Police attack and repression on workers and farmers are intensified after the first "Mass People’s Resistance against KorUS FTA" on 22nd of November.
India-Japan resolve sticky trade issue ahead of PM’s visit
5-Dec-2006 Zee News
"Earlier, Japan wanted agriculture to be kept out of EPA but now it has agreed to include it. With this sticky issue having been resolved negotiations will now be launched," official sources said.
Indonesia fish export enjoys privilege in Japan
5-Dec-2006 People’s Daily
Japan has vowed to exempt duty on 51 aquatic products from Indonesia within the next three to five years after the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
Japan approves FTA talks with Australia
5-Dec-2006 The Age
Cabinet ministers for international trade matters have approved a joint report submitted by Japanese and Australian experts recommending initiating talks on a bilateral free trade agreement, government officials said.
S. Korean police ban anti-FTA protests
5-Dec-2006 Yonhap
South Korean police said no anti-FTA protests will be permitted on Wednesday and warned the nation’s civic groups to obey the law.
Key US senator hoists beef to top of FTA agenda
5-Dec-2006 Chosun Ilbo
The influential US senator Max Baucus, nicknamed “Mr. Beef”, on Sunday said Korea should completely lift its ban on US beef imports if it wants a free trade agreement with the US.