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Farmers Disrupt FTA Hearing
27-Jun-2006
Angry farmers and activists effectively disrupted a public hearing on ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) talks between Korea and the United States, Tuesday, leading to their suspension.
Policy shift reflects changing US attitude
27-Jun-2006
US President George W. Bush nominated Henry M. Paulson as his new Treasury Secretary on May 30. In his Rose Garden announcement of the nomination, Bush stressed that Paulson will "help ensure that our trading partners play by the rules, respect intellectual property rights and maintain flexible, market-based exchange rates for their currencies."
US seeking new trade pacts with Africa
27-Jun-2006
After calling off negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with five Southern African countries last month, the US has indicated its intentions to negotiate new trade arrangements with several African countries including Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique and Ghana.
Bush sends Oman trade pact to Congress for vote
27-Jun-2006
A bill sent by President Bush to Congress on Monday enacting a free trade agreement with the Arab Gulf state of Oman triggered a rebuke from the top Senate Democrat, who said it omitted a provision barring goods made with forced labor.
Japan, Brunei kick off FTA talks
27-Jun-2006
Japan and Brunei kicked off their first round of official negotiations Monday in Tokyo aimed at sealing a bilateral free-trade agreement, with Tokyo aiming during the five-day run to win tariff cuts on its industrial goods exports and a stable supply of natural resources from the Southeast Asian country.
Pakistan, Jordan set FTA talks guidelines
27-Jun-2006
Pakistan and Jordan set to initiate the process of negotiations for concluding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Protection and Promotion of Investment between the two countries along with cooperation in agriculture, science and technology and other areas during 8th Session of Pak-Jordan Joint Ministerial Commission.
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.