bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

Harken v. Costa Rica: US companies employ blackmail in ’free trade’ with Central America
28-May-2004 Harken v. Costa Rica: US companies employ blackmail in ’free trade’ with Central America
Nearly two years ago, Costa Rican nationals and admirers thought they’d been given reason to rest easy. In May 2002, responding to a large-scale mobilization of the country’s environmentalists, President Abel Pacheco announced a moratorium on oil exploration and open-pit mining in Costa Rica.
Can trade be a lever for reforms in the Middle East?
28-May-2004
Testimony by David L. Mack in Hearings of the US Senate Finance Committee, published by the Daily Star, Beirut, Lebanon, in a two-part series on 27-28 May 2004
China-Chile mining agreement, FTA on cards?
28-May-2004
China and Chile, the world’s largest copper consumer and supplier respectively, signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint commission on mining, which paves the way for more Chinese miners to explore the lucrative mining market in the South American nation, said a visiting Chilean official.
What benefit will FTAs bring to the Japanese economy?
27-May-2004 What benefit will FTAs bring to the Japanese economy?
Let me first give you four reasons why economic partnership agreements (EPAs), which cover broader areas than free trade agreements (FTAs), are important. The first reason is that FTAs are now a world "rule of the game," and Japan is at a disadvantage in not taking part in the game.
Japan’s FTA strategy
27-May-2004 Japan’s FTA strategy
Amid the advance of economic globalization, it is important to maintain and strengthen the free trade system. While the World Trade Organization continues to play an important role in this effort, free trade agreements (FTAs) offer a means of strengthening partnerships in areas not covered by the WTO and achieving liberalization beyond levels attainable under the WTO.
Japan: Red tape, resistance block free trade accords
27-May-2004 Japan: Red tape, resistance block free trade accords
Correctly tweaked, the numbers make perfect sense - free trade agreements (FTAs) between Japan and South-east Asian countries could provide a much-needed fillip to the moribund Japanese economy, and will in turn give a boost to a region in which Japan is already the biggest investor.
Japan’s policy to strengthen economic partnership
27-May-2004 Japan’s policy to strengthen economic partnership
– Promoting Economic Partnership Agreements with closely related countries and regions
Opponents predict defeat for Central American deal
27-May-2004 Opponents predict defeat for Central American deal
The Bush administration will sign the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with five developing nations Friday, but opposition Democrats and civil society groups predict the deal will fail in Congress.
US and Central America sign historic free trade agreement
27-May-2004 US and Central America sign historic free trade agreement
U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Ministers of five Central American countries today signed the U.S. Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) a historic agreement that will eliminate tariffs and trade barriers and expand regional opportunities for the workers, manufacturers, consumers, farmers, ranchers and service providers of all the countries.
US begins latest round of free trade talks with SACU less hopeful about year-end deal
27-May-2004
The US and SACU began four days of new talks aimed at concluding a free trade agreement by the end of this year, with some U.S. officials now saying, however, that the year-end deadline for completing the talks will likely be missed.
Dhaka to finally sign BIMST-EC trade deal
27-May-2004
Dhaka is finally going to sign the Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand — Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Diplomatic gaffe during Chile trade deal
27-May-2004
A diplomatic gaffe by "jet-lagged" Trade Minister Jim Sutton is thought unlikely to deter Chile from signing a three-way trade deal with New Zealand and Singapore next year.
US-Singapore FTA leads to partial lifting of chewing gum ban
26-May-2004
For 12 years, Singaporeans lived in fear of being caught committing the most heinous crime imaginable: chewing gum.Now the tightly controlled city-state has lifted its ban on gum - but only registered users will be allowed to indulge.
US Bilateral Trade Agenda: Lowered Expectations
26-May-2004
The way U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick jets around the world, seeking to cut deals that would knock down trade barriers at home and abroad, it might seem as if the political furor over free trade and job losses at home were a minor flap.
Nigeria: Unions Seek Ways Out of Cotonou Pact Dilemma
26-May-2004
As the impact of the trade agreement between the disadvantaged African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries on the one hand, and the advantaged European countries on the other hand, known as Lome 1-4 Agreements between 1975 and 2000, and the new agreement called "Cotonou Agreement" signed on June 23, 2003 between the developing countries of 77 ACP and European Union (EU).
NZ-China: Free trade deal with China an insurance policy, Cullen says
26-May-2004
A free trade agreement with China is an insurance policy against the collapse of World Trade Organisation talks, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.
Common Quality Norms Are Vital In SAFTA Trade
26-May-2004
Countries across the globe are realising the importance of regional trading blocks. The South Asian countries too have now felt the urgency of such an arrangement.
NZ-Chile: Chile pact has potential to rival huge northern blocs
26-May-2004
A new trade deal with Chile could be a significant spur for the development of a Southern Hemisphere counterweight to huge northern pacts such as the European Union and the North American free trade agreement, a study by Victoria University researchers says.
China-Australia: Free trade foreplay to speed up
26-May-2004
Australia and China have agreed to accelerate overtures that could lead to a free-trade agreement, after talks between Trade Minister Mark Vaile and top-ranking Chinese ministers in Beijing.
My vision of China free trade role: academic
26-May-2004
China should become the focal point of an East Asian free trade zone to rival other blocks such as the European Union and the North American Free Trade Area (Nafta), a leading academic claims.