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Why Koreans have a beef with free trade
31-Jan-2007 Asia Times
Half the South Korean population is against the FTA, especially workers and farmers who have seen trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement lead to job flight, decaying communities, and increased social polarization. But what really unites Koreans against the FTA is the undemocratic nature of the negotiation process and the threat to South Korea’s national sovereignty.
Malaysian, US unions oppose trade deal
30-Jan-2007 AP
Labor unions in Malaysia and the United States said Monday they opposed a free trade agreement between their two countries unless it incorporated mechanism to protect labor and social rights.
Chavez, Morales, Correa bypass US in deals with Iran, China
30-Jan-2007 Bloomberg
Presidents including Ecuador’s Rafael Correa, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Bolivia’s Evo Morales are bypassing the US in reaching trade accords and strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties with nations that compete with, or are hostile toward, US interests.
Hurdles galore on road to FTA with Asean
30-Jan-2007 Economic Times
While the government’s decision to reduce import duty on palm oil could be interpreted as India’s signal to the Asean about its seriousness to sign the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in July, several issues need to be settled before the deal is through.
US interest: Indonesia
30-Jan-2007 Oxford Business Group
Indonesia and the US are exploring the possibility of entering into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
PM urged to guarantee transparency
30-Jan-2007 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission and intellectual property law experts have called on Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont to draft a trade negotiation bill to guarantee transparency in trade talks.
Pakistan, Switzerland agree to start negotiations on FTA
29-Jan-2007 APP
Pakistan and Switzerland have decided to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
Free trade agreement with Egypt signed
27-Jan-2007 swissinfo
Switzerland and its fellow European Free Trade Association (Efta) members have signed a free trade agreement with Egypt. A statement also announced that Efta ministers had met the Indonesian trade minister with a view to concluding a similar accord.
China vs Japan: FTAs, oil and Taiwan
27-Jan-2007 bulatlat
China and Japan are locked in a rivalry over at least three flashpoints: Free trade agreements, particularly in the region; oil energy; and Taiwan.
Uruguay-US: A trade agreement, after all
27-Jan-2007 IPS
After huge internal controversy and strong opposition from the rest of the members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) trade bloc, Uruguay has agreed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States.
Pakistan, Egypt to start negotiations for Free Trade Agreement
27-Jan-2007 APP
Pakistan and Egypt on Friday decided to start negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries to promote trade and economic activities.
Charest pushing free trade deal between Canada and European Union
27-Jan-2007 Canadian Press
Quebec Premier Jean Charest is pushing for a free-trade deal between Canada and the European Union that he says could level the playing field with emerging markets.
S. Korea, Canada to have ninth FTA talks next week
27-Jan-2007 Hankyoreh
The South Korean government said Friday it will hold its ninth negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada next week in Vancouver.
Korea-US trade agreement headed for trouble
27-Jan-2007 The Nation
During a trip to South Korea this past autumn I had the opportunity to meet Choi Chan-Sick, a 66-year-old peasant farmer. Figuring me correctly for an American, he hurled a volley of invective at me, the only words of which I could make out were "United States" and "FTA."
EU to focus on regulatory issues in FTA with South Korea
27-Jan-2007 Yonhap
The European Union will focus on regulatory issues in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea that could be completed in less than two years from the launch of talks, its trade official said Friday.
Thai Human Rights Commission criticises FTA with US
27-Jan-2007
In what is believed to be the first ever human rights impact assessment of a US FTA conducted at national level, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand in a draft report concludes that the FTA that Thailand has been negotiating with the United States will violate the human rights of Thai people and affect the country’s sovereignty.
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand move closer to free trade agreement
25-Jan-2007 Epoch Times
Negotiations for an ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement will resume in Wellington in March.
Congress okays Venezuelan-Nicaraguan cooperation agreement
25-Jan-2007 El Universal
Venezuela’s National Assembly approved Thursday a framework agreement on cooperation between Venezuela and Nicaragua with a view to the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (Alba).
The EU approach to FTA talks with ASEAN, India, Korea
25-Jan-2007 TWN
On 6 December 2006, the EU Commission announced that it had finalised three draft mandates for negotiating bilateral free trade agreements with ASEAN, Korea and India, together with two mandates for negotiations with Central America and the Andean Community.
South Korea to start free trade talks with EU in March
25-Jan-2007 Dow Jones
President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday said South Korea will launch free trade talks with the European Union this year.