bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

US Senate okays FTA with Oman
1-Jul-2006
The US Senate has approved the Oman Free Trade Agreement, leaving one final battle in the House of Representatives before the accord can be implemented.
Undaunted, Citigroup has eye on Korea
30-Jun-2006
The CEO of the world’s largest financial services company, Citigroup’s Charles Prince, announced that he is not too concerned with the Korean sentiment against foreign assets in Korea, June 29.
Analysis: US-Jordan FTA underbelly
30-Jun-2006
The US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement is not meeting its full potential and worker rights in Jordan continue to be violated as a result, say experts from both nations.
Duty-free zone firms lose contracts with Free Trade delay
30-Jun-2006
Entrepreneurs from Santiago and the duty-free zones in the country are concerned about effects that would be brought about by a new postponement of the Free Trade Agreement between Central American and the United States (DR-CAFTA).
Malaysian garment firms looking forward to FTA with US
30-Jun-2006
Malaysia’s textile and garment industry is looking forward to a US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to help boost exports.
Mandelson/EPAs: Remarks to ACP Ministers
29-Jun-2006 http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressRel...
In this speech to ACP Ministers in Brussels EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson argues that EPAs offer the best possible framework for a new generation of trade relations between the EU and the ACP countries.
USA pressing hard for US-Thai FTA
29-Jun-2006
It is believed that the US was behind the unexpected transfer of William Aldis, who published an article in the Bangkok Post on Jan 9, urging Thailand to think carefully before signing the Free Trade Agreement with the US, because restrictive intellectual property rights under the bilateral trade agreement would prevent Thailand from using affordable locally produced generic drugs. He said anti-viral HIV drugs would be extremely expensive after the FTA went into force. Local manufacturers are of the same view.
US-Malaysia FTA talks expected to be wrapped up by year-end
29-Jun-2006
The ongoing Malaysia-US free trade agreement (FTA) talks can be concluded within the schedule of meetings lined up till the end of the year, says Howard F. Rosen, the executive director of the US-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Trade Adjustment Assistance Coalition.
Howard trade trip signals closer ties
29-Jun-2006
Australian Prime Minister John Howard will pay a two-day visit to China from today to promote gas exports and plans for a free-trade deal with the booming, energy-famished economy.
Anti-FTA Rally Shakes Lima
29-Jun-2006
Thousands of Peruvians made Lima shudder with a rally against the congressional ratification Thursday morning of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
Rational debate on FTA nearly impossible
29-Jun-2006
Allegations have surfaced that the Bush administration intervened earlier this year to arrange the transfer out of Thailand of a World Health Organisation representative who published comments critical of the proposed Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA).
U.S., Oman Pact Nixes Israel Boycott
29-Jun-2006
The U.S. Congress is likely to approve a free trade agreement that includes strong foreign policy components with Oman, one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East, despite protests over the Arab country’s record on labour standards, human rights and the environment.
FTAs: Much more than trade pacts
29-Jun-2006
In keeping with the global trend, it is free trade agreement (FTA) talks galore in the Gulf. Apart from a deal with Lebanon, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are collectively and individually negotiating FTAs with the United States, European Union and India at present.
Screen quota reduction to begin July 1
29-Jun-2006
Starting July 1, South Korea will reduce the quota for the number of days domestic movies must be screened in local theaters. The move follows a requirement from Washington that the quota be reduced in order to begin free trade negotiations with Seoul.
Dominican Republic may have ‘missed its opportunity’ to trade with Canada
29-Jun-2006
Dominican ambassador in Canada said he hopes that his country can join a multilateral trade deal with Canada similar to the one it already has with the U.S., but he worries that the Dominican Republic may have missed its opportunity.
Leaders optimistic on Sino-Australian FTA talks
29-Jun-2006
Both the Chinese premier and the Australian prime minister have expressed their hopes of accelerating talks on a free-trade agreement yesterday in the southern city.
Legitimate claims for disclosure about FTA negotiations
29-Jun-2006
A public hearing about the free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated with the United States came to an abrupt end when protesters opposed to the deal interrupted the meeting. It is unfortunate that the hearing could not be an open forum for the exchange of opinion.
The U.S. isn’t pressuring Dominican Republic, ambassador says
28-Jun-2006
United States ambassador Hans Hertell denied yesterday that his nation is making last minute for incorporating the Dominican Republic to the Free Trade Agreement in July, affirming that what the U.S. only expects is that the Caribbean nation complies with what it originally negotiated and signed.
Brazil: “new deal” for Mercosur junior members
28-Jun-2006
Brazil proposed in Montevideo a “new deal” for Mercosur and requested a “credit of confidence” from Uruguay, which has bitterly complained about the group’s functioning and is moving closer to United States.
Lift the Veil of Secrecy on Stalled Central America Trade Deal, Demands Civil Society
28-Jun-2006
The Tory government says a free trade agreement with Central America, on ice since 2004, will eventually be debated in the House. One academic doesn’t mind the delay, worrying the deal could be bad news for some nations, while industry officials worry Canadian firms may lose interest before the deal is reached. Once it’s done, Canada-Central American Free Trade Agreement will be debated in the House of Commons, Conservative MPs said last week, but there are no guarantees draft agreements will be available to civil society organizations or other third parties.