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Ambassador denies slavish approach to US
Australia’s outgoing ambassador to the United States denies Australia’s relationship with the US is subservient and a threat to the national interest.
Free trade agreement jeopardises local workers
At least 1000 workers may be jobless within months as two Sydney car-part manufacturers plan to close, or move to Asia, as Australia moves towards a free trade agreement with China.
Trade negotiators keep secret on latest steel proposals
The Thai team overseeing the free trade agreement negotiations with Japan have reached agreement on the controversial issue of liberalisation of steel, according to a source close to the national committee overseeing the talks.
PM confident M’sia-Pakistan FTA will be sealed year-end
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is confident the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Malaysia and Pakistan will be sealed by the end of the year.
Pakistani PM Shaukat arrives in KL for FTA talks
The proposed Malaysia-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) moves closer to becoming a reality with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s arrival here today to talk terms.
Conclusion on Thai-Japanese FTA expected in July
The head of the government’s Thai-Japanese free trade area (FTA) negotiating team yesterday expressed confidence that Thailand and Japan would come to a conclusion on a free trade deal by July, but said that Thailand’s stance on the issue remained confidential.
AMCHAM to speak for Korean firms in US
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, the largest interest group of American companies here, said Tuesday that it will bring issues affecting Korean member companies, including the Korea-US free trade agreement, to the United States government.
Benguet farmers still wary of veggie imports
Provincial officials heaved a sigh of relief when a Philippine-China trade agreement, which covered vegetables and other items, was not one of the documents signed during last week’s visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the country.
Australia enters dragon’s den
Despite Australian PM Howard’s glee last week at being the first country to secure Chinese agreement to a bilateral free trade deal, he might find that actually realising an agreement will be a very tough assignment.
Costa Rica balks at free-trade pact
With President Bush’s plan to bind Central America and the US in a free-trade pact already facing tough opposition in Congress, an obstacle has surfaced that further threatens the pact’s chances of passage.
UAE prepares for 2nd round of US FTA talks
Progress towards a free trade agreement between the UAE and the US stepped up yesterday when the country’s negotiating committee met to review its position and preparations for the second round of talks, scheduled to take place in Washington DC from May 10 to 12.
US moves to break free trade impasse with Southeast Asia
Deputy US Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is determined to break a free trade impasse with Southeast Asia during a visit to the region this week.
Parts makers up in arms against FTA
Thai auto parts manufacturers have expressed strong opposition to a plan to reduce tariffs on imported Japanese automobiles with engines larger than 3,000cc under the proposed Thailand-Japan free trade agreement.
Vegetables not included in ‘early harvest’ deal with China
Vegetables are not included in the Early Harvest Program (EHP) agreement the Philippines and China signed just this Wednesday, April 27, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos, even though raw and unprocessed agricultural products are covered by the agreement.
IT, biotech, pharmaceuticals, agro food are items for enhanced India-EU cooperation
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India sees tremendous scope for enhancing economic ties with Europe and has mooted a four pronged strategy for expanding India’s trade basket with the enlarged EU in areas such as information technology & communication, biotech & pharmaceuticals, agro foods processing and textiles.
China, Pakistan FTA to be finalised soon: Finance Advisor
Finance Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Salman Shah on Thursday said free trade arrangement (FTA) between Pakistan and China would be finalised soon. Talking with PTV he said, "We are working on free trade arrangement with China as it will open huge market for Pakistani products."
Early Harvest Programme under India-Asean FTA may be dropped
The much-hyped India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement may not include the Early Harvest Programme with government considering a proposal about whether to adopt a full-fledged FTA.
Sino FTA more likely than Japan: Howard
Prime Minister John Howard has conceded clinching a free trade agreement with China was more likely than with Japan.
Lubna calls on Japan to enter into FTA talks with the GCC
Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning, yesterday urged Japan to enter into free trade negotiations with the GCC states so as to bolster its trade and investments ties with the region.
Senate confirms Portman as US Trade Representative
The US Senate has confirmed President Bush’s nomination of Representative Rob Portman to be trade representative. In a statement, Portman said "Congressional approval of the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, China trade issues, the enforcement of existing agreements, keeping on pace the Doha talks to lower trade barriers, and our ongoing regional and bilateral trade negotiations, are all front and center issues for me."