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Rousing start to FTA talks
The Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks got off to a rousing start with 18 Senators and members of the House of Representatives, both Democrat and Republican, turning up to show support.
Malaysia and Australia sign MoU on agriculture
Malaysia and Australia on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at building a new cooperation on agricultural, food processing, livestock and fisheries trade.
"No intention of becoming Third World farmers"
Just one year into the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Trade Minister Mark Vaile - who signed the FTA - may agree to dump the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) single desk system. The system was set up in 1939 when growers pooled their wheat to protect their incomes.
Korea set to drive hard bargain on shipping, textiles in FTA
South Korea should call on the United States to remove protection for its shipping industry and lower tariffs on textile and clothing imports in order to counter Washington’s demands at the upcoming free trade talks, a state-run think tank said Thursday.
Korea, ASEAN fail on FTA terms
South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) failed to agree on some details in the 10th round of their free trade agreement (FTA) talks this week, the country’s Agriculture Ministry said Friday.
Agriculture deal with Malaysia opens door for FTA
Australia and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to foster trade in agriculture, food processing, livestock and fisheries. The MoU is separate from the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries, and comes as the United States announced it would begin formal negotiations for a free trade accord with Malaysia.
Vaile briefs officials, defends monopoly
Trade Minister Mark Vaile has briefed senior Bush Administration officials on the Cole inquiry, will today brief members of Congress, and is defending Australia’s monopoly wheat sales system from the attacks of US lobby groups.
Concern in Venezuela about Colombian-US FTA
Coming into force of the Colombian-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has encountered opposing positions in Venezuelan sectors. Three visions prevail -firstly, it is feared that the impact on Colombian-Venezuelan trade will be negative; secondly, there could be a negative impact in the medium term, but a positive one in the short term; last but not least, good prospects are anticipated.
Trade deals we need to close
This week US Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the Bush administration will pursue free-trade talks with Malaysia. Last month talks on a free-trade agreement (FTA) were inaugurated with South Korea. In a global economy awash in trade deals designed to open markets and build alliances, FTAs with these countries are particularly desirable.
Beijing neglects trade rule
CHINA is now in the World Trade Organisation and is negotiating free trade agreements. It wants to be a player in the game of world trade. Yet it does not understand the rules of that game. How else to explain Beijing’s decision this week to control the price of exports of iron ore from Australia and Brazil? This is not permitted in the WTO world of multilateral trade.
M’sia-US FTA provides greater impetus, says Standard Chartered chief
Completion of the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be highly positive, providing greater impetus to the rate of economic and financial activity in Malaysia, a banker said Thursday.
US-Asean Business Council endorses US-Malaysia FTA talks
The US-Asean Business Council today endorsed negotiation and passage of a comprehensive US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement that is commercially meaningful and of the highest standard.
Agriculture deal with Malaysia opens door for FTA
AUSTRALIA and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to foster trade in agriculture, food processing, livestock and fisheries.
US envoy says planned FTA will boost Malaysia’s profile
A free trade agreement with the United States, expected to be concluded by next year, will raise Malaysia’s profile with other foreign investors and increase their confidence in the local market, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.
US expects easy FTA talks with Malaysia
"We in Malaysia believe this is a very strategic agreement," Malaysian Minister of International Trade Rafidah Aziz said. "There is no opposition."
Chile copper delves deeper into Asia with India deal
Chile, the world’s top copper producer, signed a partial trade deal with India on Wednesday, obtaining easier access for the red metal to Asia, where more copper is used than anywhere else.
US envoy upbeat on trade talks
Wendy S Cutler of the Office of the US Trade Representative said yesterday she was optimistic about a successful conclusion of free trade negotiations between the United States and Korea.
Farmers could access China markets
Key rural commodities including wine, milk and wool will be in keen demand from China if a free trade agreement with Australia is struck, a new report has found.
Goff’s slow boat to China
A comprehensive and high-quality free trade deal with China will not be sacrificed for one that is "quick and dirty", Trade Minister Phil Goff says.
India-GCC free trade pact likely by year-end
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are likely to finalise a free trade agreement (FTA) in goods by year-end, a senior official said on Wednesday.