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Lost in statistics
13-Aug-2006 Bangkok Post
The figures show Thais are winning with free trade - yet many of the nation’s small farmers, struggling just to scrape by, are looking to lessons learned around the world.
Partial trade deal on the table with China
12-Aug-2006
The GCC and China seem more determined than ever to pursue the goal of attaining a free trade agreement (FTA) in the not-too-distant future.
Asean Sec Gen: Individual FTAs will not halt Asean economic progress
12-Aug-2006
Individual Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed or being negotiated by Asean member countries will not affect the grouping’s unity or halt its economic progress, Asean Secretary General, Ong Keng Yong said.
Export leader bats for US retention of GSP treatment of RP goods
12-Aug-2006
Philippine trade negotiators must right away ask the US not to include the Philippines in the list of 13 developing countries slated to lose their General System of Preferences (GSP) so as not to disrupt the momentum of exports to the country’s top market.
US welcomes agreement on drug pricing with Korea, denies it was concession
12-Aug-2006
The United States welcomed Friday an agreement reached with South Korea on a pharmaceutical pricing system that had impeded bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) talks but denied it was a concession on its part.
Taiwan Quick Take: Honduran president to visit
12-Aug-2006
Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is expected to visit Taiwan and sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with President Chen Shui-bian in October, Taiwan officials stationed in the Central American country said yesterday.
PM defends FTA agreements
12-Aug-2006
Defending himself and his government against criticisms of free trade area (FTA) agreements Thailand negotiated with foreign countries, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday said that the FTAs had helped boost trade and increase the country’s exports.
US for early signing of BIT with Pakistan
12-Aug-2006 Khaleej Times
The Bush administration has indicated its willingness to revise America’s investment procedures and to remove some of the harsh conditions to facilitate the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Pakistan by September, 2006.
Malaysian youth movement calls for suspension of Malaysia-US FTA negotiations in support Lebanon
12-Aug-2006
The Youth Movement at Malaysia’s ruling National Party have called for suspension of Malaysia US free trade negotiations for the White House’s objection to ceasefire calls in Lebanon and urged immediate trial of Israel before the ICJ for its brutal aggressions against the Lebanese and Palestinians.
Uruguay FM against FTA with US
12-Aug-2006
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano ratified Friday his rejection of signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
Where economics meets religious fundamentalism
11-Aug-2006
Faith-based fundamentalism is not the exclusive domain of terrorists. Some fundamentalists operate in the legitimate, nonviolent world of American politics where they wear suits, appear on television and are venerated as geniuses.
Gains seen in US-South Korea trade talks
11-Aug-2006
South Korea and the United States reported an apparent breakthrough in free-trade talks Friday after bickering over pharmaceuticals cut short negotiations last month.
US accepts South Korea’s new drug-pricing policy
11-Aug-2006
The United States has accepted South Korea’s new drug-pricing measure aimed at offering quality medicine at cheaper prices, brightening the future of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on pharmaceutical issues, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare yesterday.
Seoul, Washington to hold FTA negotiations in third country
11-Aug-2006
Seoul and Washington reportedly have a plan to hold separate negotiations on the controversial issue of pharmaceutical pricing in a third country, ahead of the third round of FTA talks to be held in the U.S.
Fighting FTAs: An international strategy workshop (press release)
11-Aug-2006
On 27-29 July 2006, FTA Watch, GRAIN and bilaterals.org organised a first ever international workshop to make a strategic analysis of people’s struggles against FTAs in Bangkok, Thailand. This press release about the event was shared with Bangkok-based media on 30 July 2006. More materials and information about followup to the workshop will be shared soon.
Brazil, Portugal foster cooperation MERCOSUR-EU
10-Aug-2006
Brazil requested Portugal to support an agreement between the Southern Common Market and European Union.
MERCOSUR: Uruguay sues Argentina
10-Aug-2006
The Southern Common Market Claims Court is hearing Uruguay’s case against Argentina due to road blocks by Argentinean citizens on international routes.
Mercosur plans to return to dialogue with the GCC in September
10-Aug-2006
The Mercosur wants to return to free trade treaty talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in September, after the holiday period in the Arab world and before Ramadan, the holy month that this year should begin around September 22. The idea is to organize a meeting between representatives of both blocs in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Barbados signs on to CARICOM-Costa Rica free trade agreement
10-Aug-2006
A free trade agreement between Costa Rica and Barbados, that essentially eliminates barriers to trade and facilitates cross-border movement of goods and services between the territories, went into effect this week.
P4 trade deal takes another step
10-Aug-2006
The ratification of the trade deal between New Zealand, Chile, Brunei and Singapore has taken another step with the Chilean senate approving the deal.