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Chandel people protest against EU-India free trade agreement
23-Aug-2011 Imphal Free Press
Various social organizations held sit-in-protest against European Union-India free trade agreement at Zaphou in Chandel district (Manipur, India) today.
The alarmingly uneven deal of the India-EU FTA
22-Aug-2011
For over four years now, India has been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) - the largest trade and investment deal the country has ever embarked on. As much as New Delhi expects to lure the European market and investments closer to India, the actual consequences for the country’s economy could be dire: the open up of public procurement, the deregulation of the banking, automobile, retail and mining industries plus the adverse impact the deal will have in small-scale farmers make of this FTA a counter-productive undertaking.
Some see trade deals as threatening state laws
22-Aug-2011 AP
In Vermont, Maine and other states, there’s growing concern that free trade agreements could undermine states’ authority in a host of areas, ranging from the regulation of groundwater extraction by bottled water companies, to negotiating lower prices for prescription drugs, to issuance of state approval for a takeover of an electric utility by a foreign-owned company.
Costa Rica, Jamaica move forward on trade deal
22-Aug-2011 Inside Costa Rica
Jamaica and Costa Rica are attempting to press forward with the formal implementation of a seven-year-old-free trade agreement signed in 2004 between Costa Rica and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Turkey, South Africa agree to waive visas, draft free trade agreement
22-Aug-2011 Today’s Zaman
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu shared news of the first steps toward a free trade agreement to be signed between Turkey and South Africa
UNASUR protects the region against the international crisis
20-Aug-2011 Minga Informativa de Movimientos Sociales
The Union of South American Nations resolved today to put in place a six-point Plan of Action to protect the region from the international crisis that is shaking Europe and the United States.
S. Korea expands support for farming sectors to cut losses from FTAs
19-Aug-2011
The government will set aside a total of 22.1 trillion won (US$20.5 billion) to help local farmers and fishing households who could get hurt by cheaper foreign products.
Signez la pétition en ligne "Stop au nouvel accaparement des ressources du Sud par l’UE !"
18-Aug-2011 AITEC
La Commission européenne définit actuellement sa nouvelle politique sur le Commerce et le Développement et a lancé une consultation publique sur cette question. De nombreux lobbies industriels vont utiliser cette consultation pour s’assurer que cette politique défendra leurs intérêts afin qu’ils puissent continuer à profiter de l’exploitation à bas prix et sans limite des matières premières de ces pays.
Canada, China in investor-protection pact talks, Trade Minister Ed Fast says
17-Aug-2011 Vancouver Sun
Canada is discussing an investor-protection agreement with China, Trade Minister Ed Fast said Tuesday in an interview.
Canada backs profits, not human rights, in Honduras
17-Aug-2011 Toronto Star
On Friday Aug. 12, Stephen Harper became the first foreign leader to visit Honduras and meet with President Porfirio Pepe Lobo since the country was readmitted to the Organization of American States June 1. This shouldn’t be a point of pride for Canada, however; it reflects a very dangerous and problematic feature of the Conservative government’s foreign policy in Latin America.
No need to divulge draft Free Trade Agreement under RTI
17-Aug-2011 Law et al. News
India’s Central Information Commission has refused to provide a copy of the text of the proposed ‘India - European Union Free Trade Agreement (India – EU FTA)’ as sought by an applicant under RTI Act.
Philippines refuse to open up its services market to Indian professionals
17-Aug-2011 Economic Times
The Philippines has refused to make any meaningful offer to open up its services market to Indian professionals, thus playing the spoilsport in the recent India-Asean services negotiations in Indonesia.
Why We Oppose the KORUS FTA - KCTU Position Paper on KORUS FTA
17-Aug-2011 KCTU
The Korean Conferederation of Trade Unions has great concerns about the bilateral and regional FTAs which are currently expanding in number across the world.
Taiwan firms reshaping cross-Strait relations
15-Aug-2011
Taiwan industrial companies have been reorganizing resources on both sides of the Strait to sharpen their competitive edge in the wake of tariff reductions that took effect earlier this year.
Protesters denounce Canada-Honduras free trade deal
15-Aug-2011
Prime Minister Stephen Harper boasted Friday that Canada’s new free trade deal with Honduras will help that crime-ridden country emerge from poverty and political chaos, adding that his opponents are just "selfish" trade protectionists.
Camp says Canada-Colombia free trade puts US at disadvantage
15-Aug-2011
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp said a free-trade accord between Canada and Colombia that takes effect today puts the U.S. at a disadvantage and underscores the need to pass the nation’s own stalled agreements.
Outreach plan to counter threat perception on FTAs
15-Aug-2011
In a bid to counter the fears of local industry, the government is set to launch an outreach programme aimed at sensitizing domestic players about the advantages of the free trade agreements signed by India.
European Union not keen to relax FTA visa curbs
15-Aug-2011
The European Union is pushing for more foreign investment in a slew of sectors-banking, insurance, legal, accounting, postal, maritime and security services-but is unwilling to allow a bigger number of Indian professionals to work in the 27-member union. The EU is also reluctant in permitting services trade through electronic channels.
Argentine ratifies trade Mercosur-Israel trade agreement
15-Aug-2011
Argentina ratified this week the free trade agreement reached between Mercosur and Israel, the first to be signed by the South American block with an outer zone party.
Korea, China consider sitting down for FTA talks
14-Aug-2011
Korea and China are considering starting negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon said.