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’No strong case for RP-US free trade pact’
11-Mar-2006 Manila Times
The conclusion of a Philippines-US free trade agreement (FTA) will drastically impact on the country’s agriculture because it is labor intensive and employs large number of people, according to a recent paper published by De La Salle University experts.
When the time is right
11-Mar-2006 Al-Ahram Weekly
"The time is not right." US Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez’s terse statement summed up his answers to repeated questions as to why negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Egypt and the US appear to have been abandoned.
US, UAE postpone free-trade talks amid ports row
11-Mar-2006 Reuters
The United States and United Arab Emirates postponed their next round of free-trade talks, the two countries said on Friday, a day after a Dubai state-owned company said it would sell US port management operations to calm a political furor.
Bush concerned about collapse of ports deal
10-Mar-2006
President Bush says he is concerned about international reaction to congressional opposition to a Dubai-owned company managing operations at some US ports. Opposition led the firm to announce it would transfer port operations to a US entity.
Rousing start to FTA talks
10-Mar-2006
The Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks got off to a rousing start with 18 Senators and members of the House of Representatives, both Democrat and Republican, turning up to show support.
"No intention of becoming Third World farmers"
10-Mar-2006
Just one year into the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Trade Minister Mark Vaile - who signed the FTA - may agree to dump the Australian Wheat Board (AWB) single desk system. The system was set up in 1939 when growers pooled their wheat to protect their incomes.
Korea set to drive hard bargain on shipping, textiles in FTA
10-Mar-2006
South Korea should call on the United States to remove protection for its shipping industry and lower tariffs on textile and clothing imports in order to counter Washington’s demands at the upcoming free trade talks, a state-run think tank said Thursday.
Vaile briefs officials, defends monopoly
9-Mar-2006
Trade Minister Mark Vaile has briefed senior Bush Administration officials on the Cole inquiry, will today brief members of Congress, and is defending Australia’s monopoly wheat sales system from the attacks of US lobby groups.
Concern in Venezuela about Colombian-US FTA
9-Mar-2006
Coming into force of the Colombian-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has encountered opposing positions in Venezuelan sectors. Three visions prevail -firstly, it is feared that the impact on Colombian-Venezuelan trade will be negative; secondly, there could be a negative impact in the medium term, but a positive one in the short term; last but not least, good prospects are anticipated.
Trade deals we need to close
9-Mar-2006
This week US Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the Bush administration will pursue free-trade talks with Malaysia. Last month talks on a free-trade agreement (FTA) were inaugurated with South Korea. In a global economy awash in trade deals designed to open markets and build alliances, FTAs with these countries are particularly desirable.
M’sia-US FTA provides greater impetus, says Standard Chartered chief
9-Mar-2006
Completion of the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be highly positive, providing greater impetus to the rate of economic and financial activity in Malaysia, a banker said Thursday.
US-Asean Business Council endorses US-Malaysia FTA talks
9-Mar-2006
The US-Asean Business Council today endorsed negotiation and passage of a comprehensive US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement that is commercially meaningful and of the highest standard.
Agriculture deal with Malaysia opens door for FTA
9-Mar-2006
AUSTRALIA and Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to foster trade in agriculture, food processing, livestock and fisheries.
US envoy says planned FTA will boost Malaysia’s profile
9-Mar-2006
A free trade agreement with the United States, expected to be concluded by next year, will raise Malaysia’s profile with other foreign investors and increase their confidence in the local market, the U.S. ambassador said Thursday.
US expects easy FTA talks with Malaysia
9-Mar-2006 AP
"We in Malaysia believe this is a very strategic agreement," Malaysian Minister of International Trade Rafidah Aziz said. "There is no opposition."
US envoy upbeat on trade talks
8-Mar-2006
Wendy S Cutler of the Office of the US Trade Representative said yesterday she was optimistic about a successful conclusion of free trade negotiations between the United States and Korea.
US, Australia won’t reopen trade talks
8-Mar-2006
The United States said Tuesday it would not re-open a completed bilateral trade agreement with the Australian government to expand access to U.S. sugar markets, but would work to expand trade and investment ties between the two nations.
All-night rally to protest screen quota begins
8-Mar-2006
Members of the local film industry and civil activists began in Seoul Monday a 146 day all-night rally in protest to the government’s decision to halve the screen quota system.
Cabinet endorses plan to halve screen quota
8-Mar-2006
A controversial plan reducing the country’s screen quota by half has been approved by the government amid fierce protests from the film industry.
Ecuador workers stop
8-Mar-2006
Ecuadorian laborers kicked off Wednesday a 24hr nationwide work stoppage including roadblocks to reject the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US and the Executive’s neoliberal policy.