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GMA, Koizumi to ink free trade agreement
8-Sep-2006
Japan has said it will sign a free-trade pact with the Philippines, ending prolonged negotiations that had stalled largely over how many Filipino nurses could come to work in the world’s second-largest economy.
Garments industry ’has to wait for gains’
8-Sep-2006
The garments industry may not see the benefits of the new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US until early next year, said an industry leader.
US says state governments ’exempt’ from FTA rules: source
8-Sep-2006
The US has reportedly insisted on excluding its state governments from many of the stipulations of the free trade agreement (FTA) currently being negotiated with South Korea.
Little tangible results come out of S Korea-US FTA talks
8-Sep-2006
South Korean officials expressed disappointment Thursday at what they believed were low tariff concessions suggested by the US in free trade talks under way in Seattle.
Big businesses rap US for call on Chaebol control
7-Sep-2006
The Federation of Korean Industries, Korea’s biggest business lobby group, has raised its voice against the United States’ demand for stricter rules on chaebols or family-run conglomerates in the free trade agreement talks between the two countries.
China’s free trade team comes to table with no cards
7-Sep-2006
The latest round of free trade agreement talks in Beijing failed to make its expected start on the crucial issue of market access for goods, because China was unable to provide sufficient information.
S Korea-US FTA talks open in Seattle amid protests
7-Sep-2006
Free trade negotiators from South Korea and the United States ended the first day of talks Wednesday, sending mixed signals that they achieved "some progress" but also faced "some challenges."
Trade-talk foes hit the streets
7-Sep-2006
Korean workers and farmers take the front line of a demonstration Wednesday against U.S. trade talks with South Korea. The midday march briefly stopped downtown traffic as demonstrators laid down in the streets around Westlake Park.
FTA negotiations to start with Gulf States
7-Sep-2006
The Foreign Ministers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman - have agreed to begin negotiations for a free trade agreement with New Zealand.
Lawmakers launch lawsuit against South Korea-U.S. FTA talks
7-Sep-2006
A group of 23 South Korean lawmakers on Thursday filed a suit with South Korea’s Constitutional Court, claiming that President Roh Moo-hyun’s administration’s move to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. is unconstitutional.
FTA: what’s in it for America?
7-Sep-2006
A free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States is a much desired policy aim in Taiwan. It would increase Taiwan’s trade and bind the island more closely to the U.S., Taiwan’s most important ally — even if formal links are lacking. But what is in it for Americans? This, after all, is what will carry weight with Washington.
Thai tuna import tariff to double
7-Sep-2006
Australia will increase tariffs on canned tuna and canned pineapple from Thailand after the finding that they had exceeded quotas under the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Another bad backroom deal
7-Sep-2006
We’ve all been witness to the Bush administration’s half-truths. Now, it’s the same old song and dance with the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS-FTA) talks that are taking place in Seattle this week. While the administration boisterously makes claims about the wonders of free-trade agreements, the real story behind the rhetoric is: undemocratic, unfair and unconscionable.
House could delay vote on Peru trade bill
7-Sep-2006 Washington Post
Republican leaders in the US House of Representatives will likely delay a vote on a free trade pact with Peru until after the November 7 congressional election, US trade experts said on Wednesday.
Singapore still shy over banking
7-Sep-2006
Since the CECA came into effect, trade has increased, but progress in banking is limited.
US-Korea FTA talks bogging down
7-Sep-2006
During the third round of FTA negotiations between Korea and the US that started on September 6, the US required that trade related laws including fair trade laws should be strictly applied to the Korean companies including large conglomerates (known as Chae-bol) and this be clearly stated in an FTA agreement.
US wants stern regulations on S Korean conglomerates
7-Sep-2006
The United States was confirmed to have asked South Korea to include regulations on conglomerates in their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
New context helps economic drivers face threats
6-Sep-2006
Shifting world dynamics mean that a proposed overhaul of the US tariff preference system threatening to exclude Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela — the three main countries currently driving trade within Latin America — needs to be examined in a global context.
Services under SAFTA: How to make it work for South Asia?
6-Sep-2006
The service sector has emerged as one of the major contributors in the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and trade. On an average, while services account for more than 70% of GDP in developed countries and 50% in developing countries, their share in global exports have grown from 15% to nearly 25% over the last two decades. In the case of South Asia too, the share of services in GDP and trade has increased.
US wants Korea to throw broadcasting open wide
6-Sep-2006
The US wants Korea to open 11 service sectors including broadcasting and telecommunications, home delivery, legal and accounting services. In a third round of bilateral free-trade negotiations, the service sector is tipped to be the main stumbling block since Seoul has a mind to give in to few US demands except letting some US law firms operate here and some others.