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How NAFTA, FIPA and other investment deals put democracy and the environment at risk
27-Mar-2013 Canadians.org
A US-funded energy firm, Lone Pine Resources, is using investor rights provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to challenge Quebec’s 2011 moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.
Regional FTA quests playing off each other
26-Mar-2013
Japan is entering a new stage in its pursuit of free-trade agreements as it begins bilateral and multilateral FTA negotiations involving its three major trade partners — the United States, the European Union and China.
France threatens to delay quick start of EU-US trade talks
26-Mar-2013 Reuters
France threatened on Monday to delay the swift start of EU-U.S. trade talks if its red lines on culture and farm produce are not respected.
Why India’s FTA with EU is very bad for its people
26-Mar-2013 First Post
Even as India enters the final phase of the negotiations for its controversial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union (EU), the country hasn’t taken into account the red flags raised by citizens’ groups and development specialists.
Japan, EU agree to open FTA talks in April
26-Mar-2013 Japan Times
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and two European Union leaders agreed in a teleconference Monday to start official negotiations in April on a free trade and service pact in April, Japanese officials said.
Turkish PM sends letter to Obama on EU deal
26-Mar-2013
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama so that Washington would continue talks with Turkey for a free trade agreement simultaneously with the EU, Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan said yesterday.
Vice minister discusses costs of TPP
26-Mar-2013
Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Bill Cho (卓士昭) yesterday provided general information to lawmakers about the costs and benefits of a potential entry by Taiwan into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), drawing criticism about the government’s preparedness to steer the nation toward securing a seat in the emerging regional economic integration agreement.
S.Korea’s auto body concerned about trade deal with China, Japan
26-Mar-2013
South Korea’s auto industry expressed fears of an influx of car imports as Seoul kicked off trilateral talks on Tuesday with Japan and China to allow free trade between over 1.5 billion consumers in the three Asian nations.
China, Japan, ROK start FTA talks in Seoul
26-Mar-2013
China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Tuesday started the first round of trilateral talks on the free trade agreement (FTA) in the ROK’s capital, which will continue until Thursday.
Further steps given by Ecuador to terminate its bilateral investment treaty with the USA
26-Mar-2013 Lexology
On 6 March 2013, Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa, requested that Ecuador’s legislature approve the denunciation of the bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between the USA and Ecuador.
Two news interviews to listen to
26-Mar-2013
Hokkaido predicts TPP will halve output of farm, forestry and fishery products
25-Mar-2013 Minaichi
Hokkaido, Japan’s largest breadbasket prefecture, says its production of agricultural, forestry and fishery products will be halved to 524.1 billion yen if the country joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade talks and all relevant tariffs are lifted.
Trans-Atlantic partnership trade pact
25-Mar-2013 World War 4 Report
Neoliberalism knows no borders, so perhaps it should not come as a bolt out of the blue that the United States and European Union are set to negotiate a "Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership."
Namibia: EU tightens trade screws
25-Mar-2013 The Namibian
Namnibia has just over 18 months to conclude controversial trade negotiations with the European Union or lose its duty- and quota-free access for beef, fish and grapes to EU markets.
The EU’s free trade agreements – where are we?...
25-Mar-2013 EU
Memo from the European Commission regarding the state of play of all EU FTAs
EU FTA, TRIPS plus could hit Indian generic drug makers
25-Mar-2013 Live Mint
The FTA might enable seizure of property of generic drug makers on suspicion of IP rights infringement
Japan’s entry into Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA raises opportunities and risks for US companies
25-Mar-2013 MWE
For US companies with export interests, Japan’s participation in the TPP could mean improved access to one of the world’s largest economies for US goods, services and investments including in agriculture, insurance, medical devices, autos and pharmaceuticals.
NGOs term undue hurry in finalizing EU-India FTA as undemocratic
25-Mar-2013 Pharmabiz
The undue hurry on the ongoing negotiations between the Indian government and the European Commission (EC) to finalise the EU-India free trade agreement (FTA) has come in for sharp criticism from the NGOs working in the health sector. They have termed the government action as undemocratic.
Mexico envisions Nafta-EU trade agreement, foreign minister says
25-Mar-2013 Bloomberg
Mexico envisions a trade deal tying it to the European Union, US and Canada as the future of transatlantic commerce and would welcome joining talks between the US and EU, Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade said.
Thailand: Govt to set up 14 panels before EU FTA talks
23-Mar-2013 The Nation
Thailand has agreed to set up 14 subcommittees to consider various issues in talks for the Thailand-European Union Free-Trade Agreement in order to ensure the greatest benefits for the Kingdom.