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Free-trade talks with South Korea on fast track: Emerson
Trade Minister David Emerson says he’s speeding ahead with free-trade talks with South Korea despite objections from the auto sector, and expects to sign a deal this year.
US Commerce Secy urges passing of LatAm trade pacts
Failure by the US Congress to approve free trade agreements with Latin American countries will have “huge political consequences” in the region, US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez warned Monday.
Costa Rican deputies for FTA consultation
Costa Rican deputies who oppose a free trade agreement with the US demanded on Monday a consultation about the project before holding a binding referendum to solve the controversy over the issue.
Chamber president urges government to sign accord between Caribbean countries and EU
Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President Christopher Lowe is calling on the Government to seriously consider signing on to the CARIFORUM-EPA -EU trade agreement, claiming that failure to do so could result in the loss of jobs for two major industries on Grand Bahama.
Preferential, not free trade deals
All multilateral trade rounds managed under the umbrella of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), now the World Trade Organisation (WTO), are in crisis until a deal is done. The headlines are familiar and predictable, no trade round has ever failed or failed to disappoint.
S.K.-Canada FTA talks set to cover similar ground as those with U.S.
During Korea-Canada free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, set to resume in their 10th round on April 23, Canada is reportedly going to bring to the table proposals on sensitive issues, such as its access to the South Korean beef market. The same issue brought controversy to the FTA between South Korea and the U.S., a deal agreed upon on April 2.
EU sees big export rise if Asia trade pacts agreed
European Union exports would rise by 40 billion euros ($54.3 billion) a year if the bloc reaches planned new free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries in Asia, the European Commission said.
Ghana: Trade coalition condemns ongoing EPA negotiations
Barely two weeks after the European Union proposed to remove all remaining quota and tariff limitations on access to the EU market for all African, Caribbean and Pacific regions as part of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations (EPAs), a group calling itself the Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition has raised concerns about the ongoing negotiations that are scheduled to be concluded by December 31, 2007.
India, New Zealand to study on FTA implications
India and New Zealand have agreed to study the potential for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
NZ and India take first FTA steps
New Zealand has agreed to study the potential for a free trade agreement with India, Trade Minister Phil Goff said at the weekend.
European Commission welcomes adoption of negotiating mandates for new free trade agreements with India, Korea and ASEAN
The European Commission has welcomed the formal adoption by European Member States of negotiating mandates for a new generation of Free Trade Agreements with India, South Korea and ASEAN.
EU to start negotiations for Association Agreement with the Andean Community
The EU and the Andean Community announced yesterday in Santo Domingo their intention to start negotiations for an Association Agreement in the margins of the next EU-Andean Community Joint Committee that will be held in La Paz at the end of May 2007.
Asia-Pacific trade ministers defend bilateral deals
Two trade ministers from Asia-Pacific nations — Singapore and Australia — on Saturday defended bilateral and regional trade agreements as potentially contributing to, not detracting from, the global trade regime.
The FTA between Colombia and the US cannot be salvaged
What remains to be seen is who can exert more influence on the Democratic majority in Congress. Will it be US transnational corporations that apply pressure because of the profits they expect from the FTA, or the democratic sectors and workers who elected Democrats to Congress with their votes?
Taiwan’s marginalization by FTAs
The South Korean-US FTA will have the greatest impact on Taiwan of all the agreements signed in the world thus far. Current estimates predict Taiwan will suffer trade losses to the tune of US$2 billion — about 5 percent of Taiwan’s total exports.
Deliberations continuing with EU, Canada, Turkey on free trade, QIZs - Jordan
Several agreements are in the pipeline to accelerate Jordan’s free trade drive and maximise the advantages of Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs), Industry and Trade Minister Salem Khazaaleh said on Saturday.
India, New Zealand to initiate free trade pact
India and New Zealand have initiated steps to ink a free trade agreement (FTA) but it could be a while before this becomes a reality.
Workshop on socio-economic impact of trade liberalization on Lebanon
It is important to consider the level to which Lebanon is ready to negotiate and implement the various free trade agreements, how much Lebanon is clear on the costs and benefits of the agreements it is negotiating, and the restrictions of policy space that is imposed through these agreements.
Australian trade minister argues in favor of free trade agreements in lieu of WTO deal
Countries will continue to negotiate their own free trade agreements in the absence of a WTO deal, but those bilateral arrangements could actually help the chances for a global trade pact, Australia’s trade minister said Saturday.