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Letter to US Congress requesting rejection of the 7 October referendum
5-Nov-2007
Letter from Costa Rican citizens to US Congress requesting rejection of the alleged approval of CAFTA through the 7 October referendum
Landlessness, environmental healh hazards to increase with JPEPA
5-Nov-2007 Mindanews
The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Southern Mindanao Region and No Deal! Movement against Unequal Economic Agreements are spearheading today a protest rally against Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in Davao City as the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to submit its report on JPEPA in the plenary.
Mercosur FTA to boost Korea’s GDP by 2% - study
5-Nov-2007 Chosun Ilbo
A free trade agreement with the South American trade bloc Mercosur could increase Korea’s gross domestic product by up to two percent, a study by the two sides has found. The Foreign Ministry said the joint FTA study was adopted at a Korea-Mercosur policy meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay late last month.
FTA with Malaysia finalised
5-Nov-2007 Business Recorder
The Pakistani government’s long-awaited Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia has been finalised. It will be implemented from January 2008, after formal approval of the Cabinet, sources in Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder.
Viet Nam: US set to become top investor, trade leader
4-Nov-2007 Viet Nam News
The US is set to become Viet Nam’s number one investor in the next two years, President of the US-ASEAN Trade Council Matthew P Daley said yesterday.
Europe charms ‘poor’ Africa in exchange for oil
4-Nov-2007 Daily Nation
It feels great to watch those who once colonised Africa shift and fidget uneasily as they build up a case for “partnership” — if only the rules of the game were clear and genuine. But there is also the nagging thought: Will Africa play it right this time round?
Andean trade preferences need to be extended after Feb - USTR
4-Nov-2007 EasyBourse
The trade preferences granted to Andean countries by the US will need to be extended after February 2008 even if free trade agreements with Peru and Colombia designed to replace the preferences are approved, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab said late Saturday in Bogota.
Costa Rica: CAFTA threatens to turn water into merchandise
4-Nov-2007 LP
Free trade agreement will make water distribution more unequal for country’s poorest communities. The pact sets the obligation to give a “not less favorable” treatment to US companies, ignoring the deep differences in size and economic power of between these ones and the national sectors.
Trade with China: Pakistan suffers trade deficit of $2.957bn
4-Nov-2007 Daily Times
Trading with China has given Pakistan a trade deficit of $2.957 billion during the fiscal year 2006-07. The figures are based on trade under Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and an Early Harvest Programme leading to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Only two FTA-affected companies received government financial aid
4-Nov-2007 MCOT
Only two of 11 manufacturers severely-affected by free trade area (FTA) agreements with other countries have received financial assistance from the Thai government after their operations were hit by the terms of the trade pacts, a senior Commerce Ministry official said.
Retail revolution on hold
4-Nov-2007 Bangkok Post
Indian protests against home-grown conglomerate are a sobering lesson for prospective foreign investors such as Thai retailers
CAFTA referendum heightens social tensions in Costa
3-Nov-2007 Workers World
The NO to CAFTA campaign has produced tens of thousands of activists who are using grassroots methods to change the political system in Costa Rica, which has been dominated by a small elite since the founding of the country.
EU gives Pacific breathing space
3-Nov-2007 Islands Business
Pacific Islands countries have been given a breathing space after the European Commission decided to extend the deadline for the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two parties to December next year. However, negotiations will be held this month on an interim agreement on the trading of goods and possibly services.
China-Pacific: How to tap the growing China market
3-Nov-2007 Islands Business
An FTA between China and the Pacific will be lopsided in favour of China, says Rohan Ellis, head of the Beijing-based Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office
Last chance for better agreement between Caribbean and Europe
2-Nov-2007 Huntington News
Having read the draft EPA, I can now confirm that in much of the document, the development dimension is referenced more in shadow than substance. A huge double standard is at play here and what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander, writes a former Caribbean diplomat.
Industry told to help exporters
2-Nov-2007 China Daily
Chinese business associations should help local firms make the most of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement, said Xu Ningning of the China-ASEAN Business Council. "Most Chinese companies are not aware of the FTA, let alone translating it into real benefits."
European treaty may revive debate over power to conclude investment agreements
2-Nov-2007 ITN
The debate over who in the European Union holds the legal authority to conclude international investment agreements with non-European countries — the European Community or individual Member States — is set to intensify as the EU Reform Treaty throws dust into an already hazy situation.
Competition with China: if you can’t beat it, join it
2-Nov-2007 IPS
China has beaten Mexico hands down in terms of trade in the past few years, and may do even better after December, when a "peace clause" expires.
US pork dependent on new trade agreements
2-Nov-2007 NPPC
The future of the US pork industry depends on concluding new trade agreements, the National Pork Producers Council today told congressional lawmakers.
Japan-Thailand trade pact takes effect
2-Nov-2007 AFP
Japan and Thailand held their first meeting to implement a bilateral free trade pact, which took effect Thursday despite concerns among Thai workers.