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Uruguay court dismisses Philip Morris tobacco challenge
22-Nov-2010 AFP
Uruguay’s Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a constitutional challenge brought by tobacco giant Philip Morris that disputes the tiny South American country’s anti-tobacco laws.
Trade deal with EU to go beyond tariffs
22-Nov-2010 BusinessWorld
The European Union wants a trade deal with the Philippines to go beyond tariffs and will seek as well commitments on services, government procurement and intellectual property (IP) protection, an official last week said.
Japan, Mongolia aim to start FTA talks in early Fy 2011
22-Nov-2010 Bernama
Japan and Mongolia agreed Friday to accelerate their preliminary studies so they can start negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement at an early stage in fiscal 2011.
Spanish farmers object EU tomato deal in Western Sahara
22-Nov-2010 WSRW
The EU could be signing an Agricultural Agreement with Morocco that also covers the territory of Western Sahara. The Spanish farmers demand that the agreement be stopped.
EU trade talks gather pace
22-Nov-2010 Telegraph
Indian and European Union officials are meeting this week to settle their differences on the free trade agreement (FTA) at the earliest.
US may have to trade agri for autos in Korea trade deal
22-Nov-2010 Reuters
Both sides “are having a difficult time figuring out what the options are, given the damage that was done in Seoul” by not sealing a deal, Jeffrey Schott of the Peterson Institute says. “They’ve created a real mess.”
EAC-EU trade deal risks flopping again over funds dilemma, litigious clause
22-Nov-2010 East African
The long awaited signing of a trade partnership between East African Community member states and the European Union this month, could flop once again due to a lack of funds to initiate negotiations.
EP member calls for EU to sign FTA with Taiwan
22-Nov-2010 RTI
A senior member of the European Parliament is calling for the parliament to sign a free trade agreement with its fourth largest Asian trading partner Taiwan.
Cambodians with HIV/AIDS speak against India-EU free trade pact
22-Nov-2010 Suite 101
As India and European Union negotiators enter into the last round of free trade talks, a Cambodian HIV/AIDS coalition showed concern over pact requirements.
Violence in W.Sahara raises concerns on EU fish pact
19-Nov-2010 Reuters
Moroccan security force action against protesters in Western Sahara has boosted opposition in the EU to a treaty that would allow European fishing in waters off the territory, activists and EU lawmakers said on Tuesday.
Protesters march during APEC Summit
18-Nov-2010 NTDTV
Some marched through the streets protesting against the free-trade talks hosted by the Asia-Pacific leaders, saying it will threaten Japan’s agricultural sector.
Kenya picked for new EU food safety training
18-Nov-2010 Business Daily
EU regulations on food safety have undergone many tests with the latest farm-to-fork traceability demand, putting pressure on developing states to adjust their sanitary and phytosanitary control systems to match the European standards.
Asia is "not ready yet" for Trans-Pacific Partnership
18-Nov-2010 PanOrient News
The backlash from the Japanese farming lobby against the TPP is already looking savage and it seems safe to predict that this will prove to be the case elsewhere in Asia as negotiations on the TPP push on apace.
New strategies prepared for next month’s FTA talks with US
18-Nov-2010 Dong-a Ilbo
Korea will prepare new strategies — said to include the protection of Korea’s relatively vulnerable pharmaceuticals and agricultural markets — before resuming free trade talks with the US next month in Washington,
Trade minister confirms additional US FTA demands
17-Nov-2010 Hankyoreh
Korea’s trade minister has admitted to parliament for the first time that US demands on the Korea-US FTA amount to re-opening the already agreed text.
Treacherous treaties
17-Nov-2010 Frontline
Suddenly there is a renewed interest in India about signing bilateral "free trade agreements" and "bilateral investment treaties" with major economies, writes Jayati Ghosh
Canada taking a close look at joining new Asia-Pacific trade block
17-Nov-2010 The Canadian Press
The Harper government is eyeing a new Asia-Pacific economic block — the Trans-Pacific Partnership — and may be willing to negotiate aspects of Canada’s supply management system for certain farm products in order to get in.
Seoul keen on bilateral trade deal with Manila
17-Nov-2010 Manila Times
Seoul is interested in forging a bilateral trade pact with Manila, the South Korean envoy said on Tuesday.
India, Africa should deepen relationship: Kenya PM
16-Nov-2010 IANS
India and Africa can deepen their partnership on the basis of their deep historical ties, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga said Tuesday. "The next logical step is a move towards Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," he added.
TPP could expedite farm reforms
16-Nov-2010 Japan Times
Japan’s agriculture industry is in the spotlight as a result of the government’s interest in a US-backed trans-Pacific free-trade agreement that could scrap high tariffs on heavily protected products such as rice.