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America’s free trade agenda: The state of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations
2-Nov-2005 Heritage Foundation
A Heritage Foundation summary of the role of FTAs in the US trade agenda.
Business groups lobby to resurrect FTAA
2-Nov-2005 IPS
Dozens of business groups from throughout the Americas are urging regional governments to adopt economic and trade reforms to give a boost to upcoming World Trade Organisation talks and a stalled regional free trade agreement.
The FTAA and its babies
2-Nov-2005 CKUT
From November 4-5th, 2005, the heads of state of 34 countries in the Americas will meet in Mar del Plata, Argentina, to push the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) forward. One big issue at the helm this year are the bilaterals - otherwise known as the FTAA’s babies - which establish free trade agreements on smaller scales.
Trade liberalization challenges post-CAFTA
2-Nov-2005
This CRS report for US Congress analyses some of the challenges that became apparent in the aftermath of a divisive trade debate and how they could affect consideration of future trade agreements.
FTAA talks divide Latin American countries
1-Nov-2005 Xinhua
The talks on a future Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) have divided Latin American states into different interest groups prior to the 4th Summit of the Americas to be held in Argentina on Nov. 4-5.
US official urges Taiwan to do more on FTA
1-Nov-2005 Taipei Times
"The ball is in Taiwan’s court. It’s not enough simply to say that we want an FTA."
Chavez: Bush beats dead horse with FTAA
1-Nov-2005 Prensa Latina
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has accused his US counterpart George W Bush of trying to restore the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which is a dead project, he asserted.
US designates new Qualifying Industrial Zone in Egypt
31-Oct-2005 Haaretz
United States trade representative Rob Portman designated on Monday a new Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) in Egypt and approved the expansion of two existing zones.
Trade deals mushroom, with or without WTO
31-Oct-2005 DowJones News
A World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December is looming as key to the shape of free trade in Asia in the 21st century as countries within the region intensify their interest in integrating their markets.
Egypt, Israel enhance US free trade accord
31-Oct-2005 AFP
Egypt and Israel have agreed to expand the scope of an agreement which allows Egypt to export products containing a quota of Israeli components to the United States free of customs duties.
Prospects seen dim for Japan trade pact
30-Oct-2005 JoongAng Daily
Korea’s top trade official voiced pessimism about the prospects for signing a free trade agreement with Japan and the United States, but was more hopeful about future trade accords with other nations.
Kenya to lose Sh9.5b in EU trade agreement
30-Oct-2005 East African Standard
Kenya and the European Union started negotiations for a new trade pact last week amid fears that the country could lose Sh9.5 billion.
Groups to rally against Bush in Argentina
30-Oct-2005 AP
"We think his policies are totally contrary to what we want for Latin America and are promoting genocide, domination of workers and their communities and the plundering of natural resources," said Argentine labor leader Juan Gonzalez, who is heading a protest "People’s Summit" coinciding with Bush’s visit Thursday through Saturday.
Low prices force Mexicans from fields
30-Oct-2005 St Louis Post Dispatch
But in just over a decade, an estimated 1 million farmers in rural Mexico have lost their livelihoods.
It’s US or us for Andean Pact partners says Venezuelan Trade Minister
30-Oct-2005 Daily Journal
An apparently chance remark by a junior trade minister appears to have put Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Alí Rodríguez Araque on something of a spot.
US sets deadline for entering Free Trade
30-Oct-2005 Dominican Today
The Dominican Republic has until 15 November to approve reforms stipulated by the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and Central America (CAFTA-DR), or it will not be able to participate as of January 2006, the launch date for the accord.
Colombian farmers question FTA with US
29-Oct-2005 Prensa Latina
Rafael Mejia, president of the Colombian Association of Farmers (SAC), asserted his entity would not support a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US if farmers do not benefit from it.
Varieties of imperial aggression: The Andean trade treaties
29-Oct-2005 Znet
One crucial element common to all these bilateral trade talks is the ruthless determination of rich countries to destroy poorer countries’ national sovereignty.
EPAs: EU and West Africa agree next phase of negotiations
29-Oct-2005 EUROPA
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson met with West African Ministers on 27 October to agree on the next phase of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations between the two regions. Ministers agreed to start negotiations in 2006.
Pak-Singapore second round of talks on FTA by end of Nov
29-Oct-2005 Pakistan Link
Pakistan and Singapore would go into the second round of talks on proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of November.