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Latin America

China’s latest geopolitical assault on Latin American commodities and bilateral trade
18-Feb-2009 COHA
Two key figures in Chinese politics embarked on a tour of Latin American countries on February 9, in a sign that the Asian superpower is intent on consolidating its already substantial stake in the region.
With economic integration on their minds
12-Jan-2009
Making hemispheric Economic Integration work for all. This is one of the aspirations spelled out in the report of the Partnership for the Americas Commission, a grouping of leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, which is linked to the Washington-based Brookings Institution.
Hu’s LatAm trip expands China’s profile in US backyard
24-Nov-2008 AFP
Chinese President Hu Jintao has left Latin America with one free trade agreement in hand, another in the works and a deeper Chinese footprint in a region long seen as the US backyard.
China seeks to cement trade clout with Latin America
18-Nov-2008 Guardian
Hu Jintao and scores of business people sweep through Latin America to reinforce Beijing’s economic power in the region
Biz groups press Obama on his FTA opposition
7-Nov-2008
US business leaders are urging President-elect Barack Obama to withdraw his opposition to free trade agreements. Obama has opposed bilateral FTAs without market protection measures and has asked for improvements in the labor practices of partner countries.
Free trade, suicide clause and growing hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean
24-Oct-2008 RMR
The free trade agreements that the US and the European Union “propose” to Latin America and the Caribbean include waiving sovereign control on food flows. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization admits that although food production increased in the region, the number of people suffering hunger also did.
The Southern Bank: the result of the struggle of movements
4-Sep-2008 Choike
The Southern Bank is not just a bank, not even a further development bank. It is the expression of the struggle against a model that takes out resources from the poorest nations. If this bank no longer manages to represent such expression and becomes more of the same, the movement will have a new institution to resist.
Latin America’s free trade agreements with the European Union - An agenda for domination
21-Aug-2008 GRAIN
The EU is currently negotiating FTAs with Central America, the Andean Community of Nations and Mercosur. Its objective is to use these agreements to complete the privatisation process, to remove restrictions on European property and activity in the region, to acquire full access to natural resources and to obtain guarantees that European companies will be able to operate with clear advantages over national companies. Moreover, all these concessions granted to European companies are to be protected from any political changes that the peoples of the region might want to undertake in the future.
African, Latin American ministers discuss South-South trade
25-Jun-2008 Maghrebia
Trade ministers from Africa and Latin America met last week in Marrakesh to discuss the state of South-South trade. Despite recent advancements, trade between developing countries remains low.
When more is less: The limited impact of foreign investment in the Americas
12-Jun-2008 Americas Program
A comprehensive review of the impact of foreign investment liberalization in Latin America shows that, with some exceptions, foreign investment has fallen far short of stimulating broad-based economic growth and environmental protection in the region, according to a report by the Working Group on Development and Environment in the Americas.
Statement: UNASUR must be used to strengthen the integration of South America
31-May-2008 HSA
Social organisations and popular movements of South America demand a genuine role in the decisions made regarding how UNASUR is designed and rolled out.
People’s Summit: Linking Alternatives III declaration
21-May-2008 Radio Mundo Real
We reject the project of Association Agreements proposed by the European Union and backed by diverse Latin American and Caribbean governments which only aim to deepen and perpetuate the current system of domination which has caused so much harm to our peoples.
FTA: A Myth Starts Falling
9-Apr-2008
Despite rhetoric about their alleged benefits, the results of free trade agreements in Latin America are far from expected, experts attending the 7th Hemispheric Meeting of the Struggle against FTAs and for Integration of the Peoples said.
Anti-FTA meet in Cuba for integration
4-Apr-2008
Cuba will host from April 7-11 the 7th Meeting against Free Trade Treaties for Integration that will urge to unite against the US Administration neoliberal policy.
Declaration: UNASUR Seminar: conflicting interests
25-Mar-2008 ALAI
The social networks, social organisations and trade unions gathered together at the seminar: "UNASUR: conflicting interests" held in Rio de Janeiro, 12-13 March 2008 and reached the following conclusions
Economists warn of FTA dangers at Havana international meeting
6-Mar-2008
The dangers and disadvantages of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) promoted by the United States in Latin America were analyzed on Wednesday during the third day of the 10th International Encounter of Economists on Globalization and Development Problems that is underway at Havana’s Convention Center.
The launch of a book on the impact of ICSID on human rights
21-Feb-2008 Bolpress
In its introduction the book explains how international financial institutions act like tailors charged with fitting out transnationals with tailor-made suits.
More than a dilemma, the trilemma of globalizacion
5-Oct-2007 Alainet
While the defenders of conventional globalization proclaim its benefits, economic as much as political, in Latin America the conflicts generated by openness to trade and international finance are mounting concerning democracy and national autonomy.
Negroponte fears that Chávez would win if FTA fails at US Congress
19-Sep-2007 El Universal
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte warned Tuesday that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez would win and Latin American democracies would lose if the US Congress does not pass the Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Panama and "especially with Colombia."
Canada can help counter Chavez’s mischief
17-Jul-2007
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper departs upon his first official visit to Latin America this weekend, he will likely make a better impression than did Pierre Trudeau on his own visit to South America.