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Basic Policy towards further promotion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
As approved by the Council of Ministers on the Promotion of Economic Partnership on 21 December 2004
Business group calls for dynamic global trade policy
In a white paper released today, Business Roundtable called on Congress and the Bush Administration to continue the nation’s history of economic growth through liberalized trade and investment policies by pursuing a vigorous international trade agenda for 2005.
El Salvador: Congress approves FTA
The Legislative Assembly on Dec. 18 ratified the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), signed in May by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua with the United States. El Salvador was the first country to ratify the accord.
Zoellick plies a new trade
Although not part of the new right’s militarist and neo-conservative camps, Zoellick’s personal arrogance, his unilateralism, and his loyalty to Bush and the Republican Party’s new radical elite make him a perfect fit for Bush’s new foreign policy team.
Thailand makes progress on FTA talks with Europe
Concrete progress is being made in negotiations between Thailand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with the talks focusing on the liberalization of trade in all commodities and services.
Call for comments: IISD’s draft Model International Investment Agreement
In what marks the first fundamental effort to review the nature and purpose of international investment agreements since the current model was developed almost 50 years ago, IISD is preparing a Model International Investment Agreement for Sustainable Development.
FTA: Facing The Apocalypse?
The graffiti on the walls in Quito ask if the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that the US is pushing on Colombia, Peru and Ecuador means that our days are numbered.
A world united? The US approach to the protection of regulatory data
The US has been using Free Trade Agreements to push a US-style system for data exclusivity.
Global week of action on trade: 10-16 April 2005
The main aims of the week are to challenge the free trade myth, put forward our alternatives, strengthen the already existing trade campaigns and show the strength of the global movement, campaigning in solidarity.
Yemen, US planning free trade
The UPI has reported that Yemen and the United States of America are preparing a plan to start a free trade zone between the two countries.
Conrad: Sugar negotiations are a recipe for disaster
"Negotiating sugar trades in bilateral free trade agreements is a recipe for disaster for the U.S. sugar industry," warned Sen. Kent Conrad Friday.
Stiglitz raps bilateral trade pacts
Unilateralism, in which the largest economies, notably the United States, impose their will on smaller ones, is the main driver for the proliferation of bilateral trade agreements and represents a growing risk for the global economy, according to Joseph Stiglitz, the 2001 Nobel laureate for economics.
Trade agreement hits snag on Guatemala law
The USTR’s Office said Friday that Guatemala violated the terms of a pending Central American trade agreement with a new pharmaceutical data law the United States objects to.
FTA opens new horizon for China’s economic growth
China has started talks with 23 countries across the world in a bid to build free trade areas (FTA) that experts say will open new horizon for China’s economic growth.
The quest for the holy grail
The push is on once again to secure an Egypt-US free trade agreement (FTA) with the usual optimism in the state press, but few are buying it this time.
Saudi Arabia says it will impose legal measures against unilateral free trade agreements
Saudi Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the Kingdom will be forced to take measures, including legal action, to protect its interests from being harmed by unilateral free trade agreements concluded by Gulf Cooperation Council states with other countries.
India may sign CEPA with Korea
Korea has expressed interest in investing in infrastructure development in India and the two countries might also sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to boost bilateral trade.
Japan, India agree to conclude dialogue involving FTA in 1 yr
Japan and India agreed Thursday to conclude in one year the ongoing dialogue on economic cooperation, which involves the possibility of signing a free trade agreement, Japan’s trade minister Shoichi Nakagawa said.
EU-ACP Partnership Agreement: Can The Gambia benefit?
Opening up The Gambia’s and ACP markets to the EU is likely to result in transfers of tariff revenues from ACP countries to the EU and this will worsens their terms of trade and result in a welfare loss.
Big changes ahead in world trade
In Thailand, FTA-mania under the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is likely to continue in 2005.