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Korea-US FTA: Cool-headed approach needed to maximize actual benefits
9-Jan-2006 Korea Times
The atmosphere is ripe for starting talks with the United States for a tariff-free trade scheme, which, if realized, may change this country’s overall industrial picture as never before. But an FTA with giant, advanced economies, like America’s, requires a very careful approach.
Thaksin says no to parliamentary debate on FTA
9-Jan-2006 The Nation
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday shot down a proposal for Parliament to debate free trade agreements (FTAs), including a draft being negotiated between Thailand and the United States. "I see no justification for legislative debate on FTAs as Parliament does not have qualified personnel to scrutinise the matter," he said.
10,000 protest US-Thai FTA talks
9-Jan-2006 Bangkok Post
Thousands of Thais representing a diverse swath of society ranging from garlic growers to HIV/AIDS activists gathered outside a hotel in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai Monday to protest closed-door talks on a Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA).
FTA protesters’ views
9-Jan-2006 The Nation
Rallies against free-trade talks between Thai and US officials today are set to draw a record number of protesters. Here are the reasons for this given by some planning to attend the protests.
Green signal for Ceca with Malaysia
9-Jan-2006 Financial Express
A comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) between India and Malaysia may soon become a reality. The joint study group appointed by the two countries to examine the feasibility of such an agreement has given it the green signal.
Vanaspati firms feel free trade heat
9-Jan-2006 The Telegraph
In what could be one of the first adverse fall-outs of free-trade agreements, domestic vanaspati producers have alleged that India is turning out to be a major market for imports from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, although these countries have no major cultivation of oilseeds.
’Time not ripe for Korea, US to start FTA talks’
9-Jan-2006
As Washington pushes Seoul to begin talks for forging a free trade agreement, the Korean government says both countries have not yet agreed on when or even whether negotiations will begin.
PM ’failed to consult the public’
9-Jan-2006 Bangkok Post
The civic sector joined forces against the ongoing Thai-US free trade agreement (FTA) pact by drawing up a petition stating that it does not approve the mandate of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as being a representative of the Thai people in signing the deal.
Bush plans to advance US-Peru trade pact
8-Jan-2006 St Louis Post Dispatch
President George W. Bush notified Congress on Friday of his plan to sign a trade agreement with Peru, a pact the administration views as a step in advancing commerce within the Western Hemisphere.
Australia, Mexico to explore FTA
8-Jan-2006 Sydney Morning Herald
Australia and Mexico will explore the viability of a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Chile to cite Koreans for FTA efforts
8-Jan-2006
The Chilean Embassy in Seoul said that Chile will award the “Decoration of Bernardo O’Higgins” to five Koreans who contributed to the successful free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Chile.
PM ignores calls for court to review FTAs
8-Jan-2006
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday ignored a call by the Senate committee on foreign affairs to seek help from the Constitution Court to review free trade agreements (FTAs) on grounds that they have contravened the constitution.
Government warned of possible impeachment if it bypasses parliament in FTA deal
8-Jan-2006
The Free Trade Area agreement that Thailand is negotiating with the US has implications on Thailand’s sovereignty and if the government bypasses the Parliament in the processing of finalising the agreement, it could be impeached, a veteran lawyer warned.
RP, Japan ironing out kinks in proposed deal
8-Jan-2006
THE Philippines and Japan are working double time to be able to firm up within this year their long-delayed economic pact aimed at easing trade restrictions between the two nations.
Regrets over no FTA, but many great memories
8-Jan-2006
"When I started four years ago I had a full head of hair and no grey hair," New Zealand Ambassador David Taylor jokingly told the Korea Herald before leaving the harsh Korean winter for the green pastures of a Kiwi summer.
TDRI warns against US IP rights push
8-Jan-2006
A leading academic says there is no reason why Thailand should offer terms of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection beyond what’s available within the US legal framework.
Democrats join FTA critics
8-Jan-2006
Members of the opposition Democrat Party Sunday demanded the government to disclose the details of the proposed Thailand-US free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, charging that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had intentionally violated the constitution.
International trade, health and children’s rights - Thailand
8-Jan-2006 3D
in December 2005 3D published a country briefing entitled “International trade, health and children’s rights - Thailand” which raises concerns regarding Thailand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and their impact on children’s rights.
Trade talks: PM flouts Parliament over FTAs
7-Jan-2006
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday relegated the country’s parliamentary governance system to the back seat by saying that his administration did not have to seek prior parliamentary approval for free-trade agreements with foreign nations.
Thai farmers fear free trade deal with US
7-Jan-2006
When United States negotiators fly into Thailand to thrash out a bilateral free trade deal, next week, they will be greeted with jeers rather than this country’s famed smile of welcome.