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National interests need to be top priority in Korea-EU FTA
12-May-2007
Korea and the European Union have finished their first round of free trade talks. They have agreed to the basic principle of eliminating tariffs on 95 percent of all their products and on industrial products in ten years. We hope to see these negotiations be prudent and thoroughly about looking after Korea’s interest, which was not the case with FTA talks with the United States, which were forced through by a ticking clock set by the other side.
US may seek FTA renegotiations on labor, environment
12-May-2007
Washington plans to demand renegotiations on several areas of the Korea-US free trade agreement (FTA) signed on April 2, according to US media reports.
Teachers’ union cries foul over ministry’s FTA publications
12-May-2007
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development last week delivered materials to local educational offices to encourage them to promote the Korea-U.S. FTA, a move which has brought criticism from Korea’s teachers’ union, which says the move is biased and one-sided in nature.
’New trade policy for America’
11-May-2007 House and Ways Committee
The agreement announced today is a fundamental shift in US trade policy and clears the way for broad, bipartisan congressional support for the Peru and Panama FTAs.
ROC, Honduras, El Salvador sign trilateral FTA
11-May-2007
Taiwan, El Salvador and Honduras signed a trilateral free trade agreement in San Salvador May 7. Taiwan’s fourth such agreement with Central American countries, the FTA was expected to boost trade among the three countries, ROC Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long said in a May 5 report by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Burmese junta prepares for FTA talks with EU
11-May-2007
Asean and the European Union have agreed to allow Burma to participate in free trade agreement talks with the EU, amid signs the military junta is preparing to highlight what it claims are recent democratic advancements.
FTA Watch wants charter to curb govt
11-May-2007
Thai activist group FTA Watch has called on the Constitution Drafting Assembly to include clauses that oblige the government to seek public and parliamentary endorsement before signing international agreements such as FTAs.
Torched accord
11-May-2007
A recently spawned legal battle between Slovakia and Madeta, the Czech Republic’s largest dairy processor, has led to a discovery that, for the past 10 years, Slovakia has not honored a trade agreement signed between the countries during the Velvet Divorce.
South Korea-EU free trade talks got off to fast start, both sides say
11-May-2007
South Korea and the European Union made good progress this week in their first round of negotiations to forge a major free trade pact, chief negotiators from both sides said on Friday, but they conceded sensitive issues were barely touched.
Congress urged to OK Peru, Colombia FTAs
11-May-2007
The U.S. State Department’s No. 2 official on Thursday expressed hope that free trade agreements with Colombia and Peru will be approved soon by the U.S. Congress.
Cuba and Venezuela review ALBA progress
11-May-2007
Cuba and Venezuela praised the broadening of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) and the progress stemming from the recent fifth summit of its members (Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua) and guest nations.
US action plan must be opposed, groups tell govt
11-May-2007
Thai Aids activists and academics called on the Commerce Ministry yesterday to reject the "action plan" proposed by the United States to remove Thailand from its priority watch list for intellectual property protection.
Tribunal announces tentative date for CAFTA referendum
11-May-2007
Costa Rica’s Supreme Elections Tribunal has set Sept. 23 as the tentative date for a nationwide popular vote on the controversial Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA).
NPPC applauds deal to vote on trade agreements
11-May-2007
The National Pork Producers Council has applauded the Bush administration’s House Speaker Pelosi and congressional leadership for reaching a bi-partisan deal to move forward free trade agreements that will enable increased exports of US pork.
FTA: The unstated reason for the watch list
11-May-2007
The US decision to put Thailand on its "priority watch list" this month was prompted by failed talks on a free trade agreement, as well as the patent-busting of US-made pharmaceuticals, a former US trade official said Friday.
US officials reach agreement on trade deals to open way for Peru, Panama, other pacts
11-May-2007 IHT
Congressional Democratic leaders say they have forged new trade policy guidelines with the Bush administration that will elevate labor and environmental rights to key components in future free trade agreements.
US holds talks with Philippines, Brunei to improve market access
11-May-2007 The Raw Story
The United States held separate talks with the Philippines and Brunei this week on steps to enhance market access for a range of products. The talks were held under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFA) between the United States and the two Southeast Asian nations.
Comesa signs free trade pact with EU
11-May-2007 The Standard
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has signed an agreement that gives member States uninterrupted European Union market access. The new pact, which covers 25 years will become effective in January next year and is aimed at addressing trade disparities between Europe and Comesa countries.
S Korea, EU to wrap up first week of free trade talks
11-May-2007 Yonhap
South Korea and the European Union were to wrap up their first round of free trade talks Friday with Seoul’s negotiators expressing satisfaction over the week-long negotiations, but conceding sensitive issues were barely touched.
Quebec seeks free-trade deals with Ontario, EU
11-May-2007 Globe and Mail
Quebec’s minority government will seek a free-trade agreement with Ontario as part of Premier Jean Charest’s attempt to revive the province’s economy and regain popular support. Mr. Charest also reiterated his proposal to seek a free-trade deal with the European Union.