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Mexico, Central America Sign Free Trade Agreement
The governments of Mexico and five Central American countries signed in El Salvador a free trade agreement (FTA) that unifies the existing ties in one body.
Opposition parties boycott Assembly sessions in protest of FTA passage
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) vowed Wednesday to boycott all parliamentary sessions in protest of the ruling party’s unilateral passage of the disputed free trade agreement with the U.S.
Massive anti-FTA protests looming
Labor unions, farmers’ groups and progressive civic groups are threatening to stage large-scale protest rallies against the ruling Grand National Party for railroading a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. through the National Assembly.
Mexico, CentAm to sign single FTA
Mexico and the five countries in Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) are expected to sign a Single Free Trade Agreement on Nov. 22, El Salvador’s Ministry of Economy announced.
India, EU finalise give-&-take in FTA
Negotiations for the ambitious India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is on in “full steam” and in the final stages of “give-and-take”, even as the euro zone crisis has gripped all its 27 member-countries.
Malaysia hopes to sign several FTAs by end-2012
Malaysia is actively participating in free trade agreement negotiations and is optimistic of signing several FTAs by end-2012, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Seoul votes a chaotic yes to free trade with US
Members of President Lee Myung-bak’s governing party, coughing from tear gas sprayed by an opposition legislator, rammed a free-trade agreement between South Korea and the United States through Parliament on Tuesday, ratifying a deal that has sharpened a political divide between the government and the opposition and between big business and voters unhappy with deepening economic inequality.
Korea’s National Assembly Ratifies KORUS FTA
Korean lawmakers ratified the long-pending Korea-United States free trade agreement Tuesday afternoon, about 50 days after the US Congress approved the deal.
As confrontation looms, GNP calls for ISD clarification from DP
The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) placed pressure on the Democratic Party on Monday to state how it would respond if a written agreement for investor-state dispute (ISD) provision renegotiations for the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) were received from the South Korean and U.S. trade officials.
Amendment to Panama FTA appendix approved
The legislature yesterday approved an amendment to the appendix of the Taiwan-Panama free-trade agreement (FTA) allowing Panama to take full control of quota-setting and granting zero-tariff status to all in-quota sugar exports to Taiwan.
Presidential office welcomes parliamentary approval of U.S. FTA
South Korea’s presidential office welcomed the parliamentary approval of the free trade agreement with the United States, saying the government will continue to come up with support measures for farmers and others.
Different trade agreements will not divide ASEAN: RI
Despite different stances on the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact, Southeast Asian nations will stay together to consolidate trade deals they already have with six partner countries to boost trade within the group, an Indonesian official says.
ASEAN’s free trade links with US gain prominence
President Barack Obama’s presence at the East Asia trade summit in Bali has reinforced US efforts to engage with Asia.
Cigarette plain packaging laws pass Parliament
The Federal Government’s plain packaging laws for cigarettes have now passed both houses of Parliament but are facing their first legal challenge.
Sadc, EAC, Comesa free trade talks begin in December
First round of negotiations to establish the $1 trillion Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) covering 27 countries in eastern and southern Africa are scheduled to start next month, the head of the taskforce spearheading the process has said.
Trade pact with South Africa Customs Union by next year
India is expected to sign the much-awaited preferential trade agreement (PTA) with South Africa Customs Union (SACU) by the first quarter of 2012, as both sides are currently engaged in active negotiations on seeking greater access of each others’ markets and easier movement of professionals.
Beware the limits of latest free trade deal
Despite claims to the contrary by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the nine-country Trans-Pacific Partnership announced this week is not good news for Australia.
Japan reneges on JPEPA commitment
The local automotive industry has asked the government to remind Japan of its commitment to bring in fresh investments into the Philippines under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
Harper government should heed calls for freer trade in dairy, poultry
The Harper government should bite the political bullet and agree to start dismantling the controversial supply-management system for dairy, poultry and egg farmers to boost Canada’s access to robust Asia-Pacific markets, analysts said Wednesday.
Mercosur is not moving but Uruguay “will not stay put licking its wounds”
Uruguayan president Jose Mujica said that Mercosur “is not moving forward or backwards” but is certainly working much better than the European Union where old experienced nations “made a mess of it”. Nevertheless, Uruguay will not stay put “licking its wounds”, it will look for other trade links.