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Israel to attempt upgrade its EU status
5-Mar-2007 EJP
Israel is examining the idea of upgrading its relations with the European Union and gaining the status of Norway and Switzerland, which although not members of the EU have free passage for people, capital and merchandise between them and the rest of the EU countries.
Don’t repeat NAFTA disaster, trade experts warn
5-Mar-2007 Workday Minnesota
The North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, has been a disaster for workers and families, and even social institutions, in the three participating nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — labor experts from the three countries told Congress. Not only that, they warned that the pending US-Korea Free Trade Agreement would be a repeat of that NAFTA fiasco.
Out of the cage: FTA must promote fair, not free trade
5-Mar-2007 New Straits Times
I was travelling in the northern regions recently and casually asked Haji Manaf, a padi farmer and Umno stalwart in his late 50s, if he had heard of the Malaysia-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which is currently being negotiated. He said he had read about it in the Malay newspapers but really didn’t understand what it was all about.
Thai-Japanese FTA negotiations: Toxic waste annex to be tabled in Tokyo
5-Mar-2007 Bangkok Post
A one-page annex will be added to the Thai-Japan free trade agreement to ensure the trade pact will not overrule the international agreement on transboundary movement of hazardous waste. The inclusion of the annex, however, was criticised by the FTA opponents.
S Korea regrets US lawmakers’ call to widen auto market
5-Mar-2007 Asia Pulse
South Korean officials expressed "regret" Sunday over US lawmakers’ demands that South Korea further open its auto market as part of a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the world’s largest economy.
Latin America, backyard no longer
4-Mar-2007 Prensa Latina
As US President George W Bush is about to start his Latin American tour, he will find a region very different to what it was when he took over the White House.
Rights obstacle to EU-India trade pact
4-Mar-2007 FT
Indian objections to the inclusion of a standard “human rights and democracy” clause in a proposed free trade agreement with the European Union have emerged as a serious stumbling block, the Financial Times has learnt.
Caribbean Community to weigh trade deal
4-Mar-2007 Forbes
The Caribbean Community intends to negotiate a free trade agreement with Central America perhaps within the next six months, the organization’s top official said Sunday.
Panama rejects FTT with US
4-Mar-2007 Prensa Latina
The Popular Alternative Party (PAP) reported the Free Trade Treaty’s (FTT) negative effects on the economy and Panamanian society and in this way rejected its signing.
FMLN Renegotiates FTA
4-Mar-2007 Prensa Latina
The Salvadorian Farabundo Marti Front for National Liberation (FMLN) seeks on Sunday an alliance to renegotiate the Free Trade Agreement with United States. Only a year of being implemented, that agreement damaged the agricultural sector, small and middle companies, disarticulate productivity even more and increased trade deficit for a rise in imports, compared to exports, they stated.
Nicaragua seeks FTA with CARICOM
4-Mar-2007 Prensa Latina
Nicaragua has began the negotiations to establish a free trade agreement with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), according to Nicaraguan Promotion, Industry, and Trade Minister Horacio Brenes.
Korea, US agree to exclude rice from FTA
4-Mar-2007 Korea Times
South Korea and the United States have in principle agreed to exclude rice from their free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
FTA with US will not help garment industry, says US trade specialist
4-Mar-2007 Financial Times
A free trade agreement with the US will not guarantee a competitive advantage for Sri Lankan garments in the US, says a US trade law specialist.
SAFTA could increase drug trafficking in region: INCB
4-Mar-2007 Daily Times
A negative fallout of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement could be an increase in the narcotic traffic in the region, said Dr MM Bhatnagar, member of the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB).
High standards of IP protection in MUFTA attracts FDI
3-Mar-2007
Malaysia is currently in negotiations with the United States for a Free Trade Agreement (MUFTA) which is expected to ease the way for attracting more foreign direct investment to Malaysia. Amongst the issues being negotiated is the strengthening of intellectual property rights (IPR) in Malaysia.
Singapore, Canada complete seventh round of FTA talks
3-Mar-2007 AFP
Singapore and Canada have made "good" progress during the seventh round of talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, the city-state said Friday.
Arroyo to push ratification of controversial pact with Japan
2-Mar-2007 INQ7
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said she will push for the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) when the new Congress convenes in July.
US-Liberia TIFA (2007)
2-Mar-2007
EU aide worried by calls to drop India WMD clause
2-Mar-2007 Reuters
A senior European Union official expressed concern on Thursday about calls by some EU states to drop a clause on weapons of mass destruction from a trade and investment agreement planned with nuclear-armed India.
Taiwanese manufacturers thrive in Juárez
2-Mar-2007 El Paso Times
There was a time when a lot of our electronics were stamped "Made in Taiwan." These days, a lot of them are still made by Taiwanese companies but may be stamped "Made in Mexico."