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U.S. trade official gets an earful from lawmakers about coming trade pact with South Korea
23-Mar-2007
The deputy U.S. Trade Representative faced a largely antagonistic group of lawmakers as he tried to sell the idea that a trade agreement under negotiation with South Korea will be a good deal for the United States.
PGMA hopes Senate will ratify JPEPA soonest
23-Mar-2007
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope Friday that the Senate would "ratify speedily" the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) so as to enhance the facilitation of goods and services between the Philippines and Japan.
’EU, ACP have agreed on EPAs’
23-Mar-2007
The European Union Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson has said African, Caribbean and Pacific are committed to a consensus on Economic Partnership Agreements before the end of the year.
On tariffs, do what the EU did and not what it says
23-Mar-2007
It has been argued that Kenya and other African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries should sign Economic Partnership Agreements to safeguard revenue and jobs and promote growth and development.
Private sector body formed on EU-SADC negotiations
23-Mar-2007
An independent private sector body calling itself the Business Trade Forum EU Southern Africa (BTFES) has been inaugurated with the aim of establishing dialogue between business communities and the political leaders in the EU and SADC.
Reality check on free trade deal
23-Mar-2007
It was a comment to send a thrill down the spine of rural New Zealand: Democrats, on the centre-left of American politics, traditionally the more sceptical party when it comes to free trade, expressing "long-standing support" for a free trade deal between the US and New Zealand.
Dominican auto importers say no way prices will drop
23-Mar-2007
The National Vehicle Distributors Association (ANADIVE) recommended to the Dominican population not to create the false expectations that automobile prices would drop because of the DR-CAFTA free trade deal.
Southern Africa: Free trade area between SACU and EU
23-Mar-2007
Namibia’s Minister of Trade and Industry has been instructed by Cabinet to table a trade agreement between southern Africa and the European Union in the National Assembly for ratification.
Mexico, China to push forward bilateral investment agreement
23-Mar-2007
Mexico and China will seek important progress towards signing a reciprocal investment promotion agreement before the end of 2007, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Eduardo Sojo said in the opening session of the 15th Mexico-China Plenary Meeting yesterday.
Guatemala: Apparel sourcing show to assess CAFTA-DR
23-Mar-2007
This year’s Apparel Sourcing Show in Guatemala City offers delegates the chance to take stock of the first full year of the US-Central America and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
Clark’s baggage ensures rock remains on road to trade deal
23-Mar-2007
Here’s my take on what really went down when Helen Clark met George Bush at the White House. The big international agenda - those issues that are really central to the security of the Western world, such as Iraq - was on the table.
Indian trade delegation to visit Sri Lanka
23-Mar-2007
An Indian trade delegation is due in Colombo next week for talks aimed at firming up bilateral trade which will include professional services, investments and trade in goods, officials said.
Roh says opening of beef market inevitable
23-Mar-2007
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday that South Korea will have no choice but to open its beef market to U.S. products and hasten preparations for a free trade agreement (FTA) deal with China.
Where did the president’s initial FTA principles go?
23-Mar-2007
Talks between the leading negotiators for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the United States are about to come to a close. The process as a whole is coming to an end, since it is possible a pact will be signed on March 30 when the concerned ministers from the two countries meet next week.
MoC clarifies ‘Indian claim over SAFTA accord implementation’
23-Mar-2007
The ministry of commerce has clarified the situation with regard to a news item published in a section of the press concerning “tariff issues between India and Pakistan” on March 22.
Progress seen for FTA with Qatar
23-Mar-2007
The United States hopes the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Qatar will make some headway this year, a senior American official has said.
Labor party leader on hunger strike against free trade agreement with US
23-Mar-2007 Yonhap
A weary yet defiant looking Korean labor party leader has been a fixture in front of the president’s office for more than two weeks, on a hunger strike against South Korea’s imminent free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. "FTA, I believe, only stands for ’For The Americans’," Moon Sung-hyun said.
Economic partnership agreements: European Parliament calls for less onerous conditions for ACP countries
23-Mar-2007 European Parliament
Given the delay in the talks and the lack of readiness on the part of the ACP countries, MEPs in the Trade Committee called in a report on Wednesday for the Commission to make the conditions for the agreements less onerous.
Protectionist Japan warms to more free trade
23-Mar-2007 Asia Times
Japan’s new free-trade agreements (FTAs) with Southeast Asian countries symbolize a new era in regional economic ties — a move from the old "big brother" relationship to a series of bilateral partnerships that could represent the first step toward a future single Asian market.
Korea-Chile FTA marks third anniversary
23-Mar-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s first free trade agreement with Chile, right on the other side of the globe, went into effect on April 1, 2004, bringing significant changes. We enjoy good, cheap Chilean wine and samgyeopsal (fresh bacon), while in Chile, Korean-made mobile phones are a big hit. But our trade deficit increased due to greater raw material imports and over 13,000 Korean farmers sustained harm. So what have been the most significant effects?