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Crucial week for Free Trade set to start on the 1st
26-Jun-2006
As of this upcoming weekend, the government faces two important challenges: Friday, June 30th is the last day for the legal standing of the 13% tax on imports, and on the next day, the 1st of July, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is scheduled to start.
Peru to Cast Decisive FTA Vote
26-Jun-2006
The Peruvian congress is defining this week whether it ratifies or rejects the current controversial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, signed by both nations in April but still without legislative approval.
Crisis to worsen under FTA: union
26-Jun-2006
The crisis in the automotive components sector will continue to worsen as long as the Federal Government permits unfair international competition and refuses to implement a strategic industry policy.
New government urged to accelerate opening of FTA with Japan
26-Jun-2006
The new government should rush to go ahead with the opening of the planned free trade area (FTA) with Japan before Thailand loses markets to trading rivals, according to a top executive of the textile and garment industry.
M’sia-US FTA Likely To Be Signed, Says NGO Official
26-Jun-2006
Malaysia and the United States would not have entered into any free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations if there is no likelihood of the agreement being concluded, says Howard Rosen, executive director of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Coalition, a non-governmental organisation.
Kaesong Issue Could Poison Korea-US FTA
26-Jun-2006
The top U.S. envoy in Seoul has expressed serious concerns about the status of products made in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, North Korea, labeling them ``poison’’ to the currently negotiated free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the United States, a source said Monday.
Before rushing to sign - Jordan
26-Jun-2006
Relations among countries are normally defined by bilateral or multilateral agreements, especially when it comes to trade under reciprocal facilitation. The purpose, of course, is to maximise benefits. In order for such agreements to be sound and sustainable, they must be balanced and serve the best interests of both sides, otherwise the party at disadvantage will find a way to obstruct the implementation of the agreement and finally yield to pressure and revoke the agreement altogether.
Trading on terror to profit a few
26-Jun-2006
Even as Congress has finally begun a serious debate about whether U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Iraq, another part of President Bush’s "war on terror" is advancing with far less public fanfare. Last month, the Senate Finance Committee approved the implementation of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement and cleared the way for its consideration by Congress.
Malaysia to ensure safeguards in FTA talks with US: Rafidah
26-Jun-2006
Malaysia will protect its interests when negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz says.
Canadian and Central American NGOs call for transparency and parliamentary debate on Free Trade Agreement
26-Jun-2006 CCIC
Civil society release letter signed by 200 organizations calling for transparency and accountability in free trade negotiations
Japan, Brunei to hold first FTA talks next week
23-Jun-2006 Mainichi Daily News
Japan and Brunei will hold the first round of talks aimed at concluding a free trade agreement in Tokyo for five days from Monday, Japan’’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Jury still out on costs and benefits of SA trade deal with China, amid fears of severe job losses
23-Jun-2006 Business Day
A free trade agreement with China would have a drastically negative effect on the clothing and footwear sectors in South Africa - but the overall economic effect would be positive, says one of the first of a series of studies.
Activists concerned by meeting
23-Jun-2006 Bangkok Post
Activists say they suspect Thailand and Japan were trying to speed up the conclusion of their stalled Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in a meeting last night between caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Japanese ambassador.
Economic Partnership Agreements: Family farmers speak out!
22-Jun-2006
At the initiative of the Network of Farmers’ and Agricultural Producers’ Organizations of West Africa (ROPPA), leaders of three small farmers’ networks from ACP regions met in parallel to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna on 19 June 2006 to assess the process of negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements between their regions and the European Union.
Australia to consider free trade talks
22-Jun-2006 AP
Australia will consider negotiating a free trade agreement with several Middle Eastern countries, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said Wednesday.
Costa Rican unions condition FTA with Europe
22-Jun-2006 Prensa Latina
Costa Rican trade union leaders on Wednesday said that that they will support the Association Treaty with the European Union for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but ruled out any similarity with US-sponsored accords.
Dominican delegation to propose creating adjustment funds in European negotiations
21-Jun-2006
The Dominican Republic, jointly with the other CARICOM (Caribbean) nations will propose to the ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries, creating structural adjustment funds to cover costs of the transition toward free trade, within the framework of negotiations with the European Union.
ACP want additional resources from EU
21-Jun-2006
Pacific Island countries want the European Union to allocate additional resources to cover the costs of the regions adjustments when the Economic Partnership Agreement comes into effect.
As US-Korea trade talks begin, Sughrue Mion helps Korean pharmaceutical companies enter US markets
21-Jun-2006
Sughrue Mion PLLC, a leading global intellectual property law firm, announced today that the firm continues to see a strong interest from Korean pharmaceutical companies in understanding the US patent system. As talks kicked-off last week in what is expected to be a fast-tracked bilateral trade agreement between the US and the Republic of Korea, protection of intellectual property and the ability to compete effectively in the US market are even more important.
Chief delegate pursues balance in US FTA
21-Jun-2006
Kim Jong-hoon, the chief negotiator for the free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the United States, said that officials from the two countries will try to reach a balanced result that serves the interests of both countries.