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Reassess free trade agreements
Recent experience with the implementation the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Free Trade Area Agreement effectively illustrates how Pacific leaders sign regional and international agreements without adequate consultation and assessment at national and local level.
Proposal with the US to be highlighted
The government will spend 10 million baht this year on advertisements to inform the public about the benefits of free trade area (FTA) agreements, in particular the one proposed between Thailand and the United States.
Can We Do A Deal With China?
Dairy, meat and forestry exporters stand to gain the most if the government cuts a free trade deal with China and its market of 1.3 billion people.
MierScope: FTA with the US makes good sense
A US-Malaysia FTA will demand strong obligations from Malaysia. It will push us towards greater liberalisation. Complain as we may that such an FTA will be an instrument of economic imperialism, it will not be pragmatic to deny it.
Japan and Mexico agree on conclusion of free-trade agreement
On March 12 Japan and Mexico reached virtual accord on the conclusion of a bilateral free-trade agreement following 16 months of negotiations.
US-Ukraine BIT (1996)
Thailand Trade Talks with Australia Wraps Up
Thailand and Australia have completed talks on establishing a bilateral free trade area (FTA) agreement, and the pact will go before the Thai cabinet for approval within the next two weeks, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal.
Regionalism and the multilateral trade system
Regional trade agreements (RTAs) are an integral part of international trade, accounting for almost half of world trade and expected to grow further in the next few years. These agreements operate alongside global multilateral agreements under the World Trade Organization (WTO), and have both positive and negative effects.
Big Brothers Behaving Badly: The Implications for the Pacific Islands of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations
The Implications for the Pacific Islands of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations by Prof. Jane Kelsey - commissioned by the Pacific Network on Globalisation - interim report - April 2004
NAFTA Tribunals Stir US Worries
After the highest court in Massachusetts ruled against a Canadian real estate company and after the United State Supreme Court declined to hear its appeal, the company’s day in court was over.
Bilateral Investment Treaties and Disputes
Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) have greatly proliferated in the last two decades, and play an increasingly significant role in global trade and investment protection.
PICIS Statement against the Korea-Japan BIT
Between 20th and 24th December, representatives from the two countries will meet in Tokyo and finalise the text of the BIT that has been under much criticism from peoples’ movements of both Korea and Japan.
Monsanto comments to USTR on US-Thailand FTA
Monsanto Company appreciates this opportunity to submit written comments pertaining to the initiation of negotiations with Thailand on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as notified in the Federal Register (69 ER 9419, February 27,2004).
Japan: Free trade with Mexico
Japan and Mexico have reached a basic accord on free trade. Japan promises to increase imports of pork, oranges and other agricultural products from Mexico, while that country says it will import more steel, automobiles and other industrial products from Japan.
USA-Morocco deal may extend drug patents to 30 years
A free trade agreement due to be signed between Morocco and the USA by the end of this year could threaten access to medicines, several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) warned last week.
The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Addendum: Mission to WTO
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States be cautious about enacting “TRIPS plus” legislation without first understanding the impact of such legislation on the protection of human rights, including the right to health. Equally, wealthy countries should not pressure a developing country to implement “TRIPS plus” legislation, unless reliable evidence confirms that such legislation will enhance enjoyment of the right to health in the developing country.
SADC appoints Botswana to co-ordinate EPA negotiations
SADC has appointed Botswana to co-ordinate the first phase of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.
Over 15 FTAs to be concluded worldwide in 2004
World nations are expected to conclude at least 15 FTAs and to initiate negotiations for more than 10 new FTAs in 2004, the Trade Research Institute (TRI) of Korea International Trade Association (KITA) projected. The TRI also predicted FTA negotiations would be active in American and Asian regions as in 2003.