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US elections key to FTA progress
The result of the US mid-year elections holds the key to whether the Thailand-US free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations will continue or break down, according to Puangrat Asavapisit, Thailand’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organisation.
Merkel for EU Agreement with US
With the Doha Round of trade talks threatening to come to naught, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come up with a plan B: a free-trade zone with the US. Such a zone would encompass 60 percent of the global economy.
India studying FTAs for unilateral trade preference to all LDCs
India has undertaken a study of its existing free trade agreements (FTAs) like Safta and the proposed ones like Asean FTA and Southern African Customs Union FTA.
Beijing nears the barriers in FTA race
For many farmers in both China and Australia, whose agricultural trade experts were attending a conference last Wednesday, rain is a rarity, so longing looks were cast at the muddy streets and umbrellas outside. The conference, focused on the agricultural issues involved in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, was held in Xian, the ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties and the heartland of Chinese agriculture.
Environmental Implications of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
Last September 9, 2006 in Finland, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junihiro Koizumi signed the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), a bilateral preferential trade treaty between Japan and the Philippines that seeks to remove barriers to investments and the trade of goods and services between the two countries.
US Senator Baucus proposes US-EU-Japan services FTA
US Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) on Thursday proposed that the United States, the European Union and Japan conclude a services free trade agreement.
Working class hurt by free-trade deal
Free trade in North America has resulted in sharp gains for the rich at the expense of the average Canadian worker, says a report from the US Economic Policy Institute released yesterday.
Singapore and Peru conclude third round of FTA talks
Singapore and Peru have concluded their third round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement that will strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Uruguay opts for preferential trade agreement with US
Uruguay discarded the option of a free trade agreement with United States and counter proposed negotiations on the basis of the Trade Investment Framework Agreement.
Hyde urges start of FTA talks between US, Taiwan
In one of his last official acts as chairman of the US House International Relations Committee, Henry Hyde, one of Taiwan’s leading champions in Congress, has urged the administration of US President George W. Bush to begin talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Taiwan "as soon as possible."
US trade official says FTA deadline not important
US Deputy Trade Representative Karan Bhatia said on September 26 that a deadline will not be the priority on talks regarding a South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.
Children of the WTO
World Trade Organization talks collapsed in July 2006 over strong internal disagreements on agricultural policy. While social activists throughout the world cheered, policy-makers in the U.S. and Canada started aggressively pursuing bilateral trade accords or Free Trade Agreements [FTAs].
Pro-FTA advisers a worry for HIV groups
HIV/Aids groups claim that if Thailand signs a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, the access to life-saving treatment for HIV positive people could be considerably compromised.
’EU, India to seek free trade pact’
The European Union and India, one of Asia’s fastest growing economies, will signal next month their intention to negotiate a free trade agreement, the EU’s Executive Commission said on Wednesday.
Peru prez hawking FTA to US
An enthusiast of the US-sponsored Free Trade Agreement, Peruvian President Alan Garcia will promote the agreement on his October visit to the US.
US union, business group slam Jordan sweatshops
A leading US labour coalition and an industry group have filed a complaint with the US Trade Representative asking that it formally sanction the government of Jordan for "gross workers’ rights violations" under a controversial free trade agreement with the United States and Israel.
Japan gets serious about trade deal
When the idea of a free trade agreement with Japan was floated four years ago, there was not much enthusiasm in Tokyo.
Mauritian MLAs asked to stop the process of EPA
A Mauritian political party called Rezistans ek Alternativ (RA) has asked local MLAs to help in stopping the process of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) which, according to its members, Mauritius and fourteen other African countries have agreed to negotiate with the European Union, without realising the implication of such an agreement.
Global trade no longer hostage to US consumers
Europe, Japan and emerging economies are weaning themselves from dependence on the American consumer, and economists say it’s just in time.
India to document revenue loss due to NTBs in Bimstec trade
Concerned over the possibility of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) of Bimstec nations becoming an obstacle to the projected 74% jump in India’s exports to them from 2003 figures, the government will soon collect data regarding the current and future revenue loss incurred due to the NTBs.