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Malaysians question US free-trade deal
21-Apr-2006 Asia Times
A popular movement opposing government plans to negotiate a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United States is gaining momentum in Malaysia.
Kaesong complex emerges as hurdle in FTA talks
20-Apr-2006 Chosun Ilbo
South Korea and the United States are holding behind the scenes negotiations to iron out differences ahead of a bilateral free trade agreement. One of many sticking points is whether the US will accept goods made in the joint-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex as South Korean products.
US calls for more rigorous free trade pact with South Korea
20-Apr-2006 TMCnet
The United States’ free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea will have more provisions than those with other countries to reflect unique barriers specific to the Asian nation, according to Wendy Cutler, assistant US Trade Representative and chief negotiator to the South Korea-US FTA (KORUS FTA) talks.
Taiwan’s president touts free trade with Dominican Republic
20-Apr-2006 Dominican Today
Taiwan president Chen Shui-Bian said yesterday that negotiations with the Dominican Republic are advancing toward the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, in which both nations seek to establish a strategic economic and trade alliance that allows them to conquer the United States market.
Venezuela to withdraw from Andean trade bloc
20-Apr-2006 Reuters
Venezuela, which has criticized Andean nations as being overly aligned with the United States, plans to withdraw from the Andean Community of Nations, President Hugo Chavez said on Wednesday.
Ecuador seeks to salvage free trade deal
20-Apr-2006 AP
Ecuador’s ambassador to Washington return to Quito for consultations on how to overcome an impasse with US free trade negotiators over an oil-tax bill designed to cut into foreign windfall crude profits.
US pushing FTA on Guatemala
20-Apr-2006 Prensa Latina
US ambassador in Guatemala James Derham appeared in Congress Wednesday to pressure for approval of complementary laws to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Americans offer to help with talks
20-Apr-2006 Bangkok Post
American businesses have offered help in lobbying the US Congress to allow talks on the Thai-US free-trade agreement to move forward, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Pakistan-Bangladesh agree to conclude bilateral FTA by September, 2006
20-Apr-2006 Online
The bilateral FTA would go beyond the tariff concessions provided under the SAFTA agreement.
The US and China: strategic disconnect
20-Apr-2006 TCS Daily
A large set of strategic economic and security questions will challenge both US and Chinese leaders over the next decade. These relate directly to the growth of Asian regionalism, with attendant political institutions, decisions regarding new regional trade and investment agreements, as well as a potential new security architecture for at least East and South Asia.
Sacu talks resume with US
20-Apr-2006 Business Day
Interview with Deputy US Trade Representative Karan Bhatia.
US Ambassador unhappy about Japan’s idea of East Asia FTA
20-Apr-2006 CRI
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer expressed concern on Wednesday about Japan’s idea to create a free trade zone in East Asia, claiming it could damage US regional interests.
US-Peru free trade deal a step back for development
20-Apr-2006 Oxfam America
International aid organization Oxfam criticized today’s signing of the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Washington, an agreement it says would do more harm than good for millions of Peruvians who live in poverty.
Tell Congress: oppose the US-Peru free trade agreement!
20-Apr-2006 Oxfam America
Oxfam has set up a web page where you can send letters to US Congress urging them to reject the US-Peru FTA, signed last week.
Framework for Korea-US FTA unveiled
19-Apr-2006 Chosun Ilbo
The two countries agreed to withhold some of the negotiation documents from the public for three years after the accord comes into effect.
US trade deal failing some Aussie firms
19-Apr-2006 Sydney Morning Herald
Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States is only benefiting businesses with well-established links, Australia’s peak industry group says.
US, SA union fail to reach consensus on free trade
19-Apr-2006 SABC News
The US government and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) have failed to reach consensus regarding the establishment of a free trade agreement. Unrealistic demands by the US government are said to be at the centre of the failed talks.
Gulf states next FTA goal
19-Apr-2006 newswire.co.nz
New Zealand is to forge ahead with trying to secure a free trade deal with Gulf states.
What people want is fair trade, not free trade
19-Apr-2006 New Straits Times
If the argument that the US FTA stands to benefit Malaysia as a whole is sound, then this, we hope, can be proven by an open discussion of what the agreement will really mean to individual Malaysians, and not just corporate interests.
Fair trade campaigners push for the scrapping of EPAs
19-Apr-2006 Public Agenda
Thirty civil society groups across Africa and Europe have called for an end to negotiations aimed at implementing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.