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Australian farm leaders reassure Japanese about effects of free trade deal
10-Jun-2010 ABC Rural
Masahiko Yamada, Japan’s new agriculture minister, has blogged about how the Australian free trade agreement would destroy Japanese agriculture. Australian farm industry leaders are in Tokyo trying to change his mind.
ECFA cheers, but also worries, foreign investors
10-Jun-2010 Focus Taiwan
Foreign investors will be able to invest in mainland China via Taiwan under the protection of the economic cooperation framework agreement, well ahead of any deal with South Korea, the Taiwanese argue.
Japan aims to finalize EPA with Korea by 2014
10-Jun-2010 Arirang
Japan’s new cabinet is reportedly aiming to cement financial ties with Korea by concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement or EPA by 2014.
Pakistan needs to meet SAFTA provisions: Indian envoy
10-Jun-2010
Pakistan does not keep in line with the provisions of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) concerning imports from India, said Sharat Sabharwal, High Commissioner of India during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday.
Bangla presses for free-trade deal
10-Jun-2010
Bangladesh wants to hasten a free trade agreement with India to narrow the huge trade gap it suffers with its bigger neighbour.
Difference on duties blocks GCC-EU deal
9-Jun-2010
Despite 98% of the issues of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement between the GCC and EU having been successfully negotiated, the GCC’s decision to impose customs duties on EU exports remain the only sticking point, an EU source has said.
Strengthening NAFTA Ties and the Push Towards a Common Security Front‏
9-Jun-2010 BeYourOwnLeader
As a result of the demise of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, the NAFTA trilateral relationship has suffered. This has forced many of the SPP’s objectives to be funneled through various bilateral initiatives. Some have described the Canada-Mexico partnership as a failed opportunity with Ottawa more preoccupied with U.S. concerns.
Mexico interested in signing FTA with Peru, says Foreign Minister
9-Jun-2010
Mexico is interested in signing a Free Trade Agreement with Peru and maintain a fluent political dialogue between both countries, Mexico’s foreign minister Patricia Espinoza announced Tuesday, after holding a bilateral meeting with her Peruvian counterpart, José García Belaunde.
India, Sri Lanka ink pacts, discuss devolution of powers
9-Jun-2010
India and Sri Lanka on Wednesday signed seven agreements and discussed devolution of powers to the provinces and opening of negotiations with Tamil groups.
Japan hardliner hits FTA hopes
9-Jun-2010
Japan’s new Prime Minister has installed an eccentric arch protectionist and former beef and pork farmer in the agriculture and fisheries portfolio, dealing a blow to Australia’s hopes of finalising a free trade agreement.
Services to be liberalised
9-Jun-2010
If entering into trade agreements is opening up the floodgates to bigger countries, then some in Sri Lanka do not want the flood-gates opened to India, but the government has already done so, for seven other countries besides India. CEPA is carved in stone, some claim, but it is far from reality
Egypt boosts Swiss trade relations as euro weakens
9-Jun-2010
Egypt is looking to mitigate the negative short-term effects of the weakening euro by diversifying its trade partners and increasing volumes with members of the European Free Trade Association, the country’s trade minister said.
Difficult Algeria-EU ties may deepen
9-Jun-2010 Afrol News
Algeria is dissatisfied with its relations with the European Union (EU), claiming these only secure EU gas imports and EU consumer goods exports. But a deepening of ties is now being prepared.
US, EU sign deal to end long banana dispute
9-Jun-2010 AFP
The United States said Tuesday it had signed an agreement with the European Union aimed at ending a longstanding dispute over banana tariffs.
Activists warn over EPAs deal
9-Jun-2010
Over 15 fair trade lobby organisations have warned the East African Community leaders against signing the Framework Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union.
Canada to scrutinize Caribbean labor, environment standards
9-Jun-2010 AFP
A planned trade deal between Canada and the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) will increase scrutiny on the organization’s enforcement of labor and environmental laws, Canada said Tuesday.
Forgery, murder, deception — the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement.
9-Jun-2010 NUPGE
The lies are constant, unerring, and slick; yet the lies haven’t been able to convince members of the US Congress that this new government in Colombia has any respect for human rights. Apparently, the Harper government and Ignatieff’s Liberals are much more pliable.
Mexico interested in signing FTA with Peru, says Foreign Minister
9-Jun-2010 Andina
Mexico is interested in signing a Free Trade Agreement with Peru and maintain a fluent political dialogue between both countries, Mexico’s foreign minister Patricia Espinoza announced Tuesday, after holding a bilateral meeting with her Peruvian counterpart, José García Belaunde.
Where does Korea-EU FTA stand?
9-Jun-2010 Korea Herald
The more than 1,000-page text needed to be translated into 23 languages and is now undergoing legal verification.
East Africa, EU trade talks suffer fresh setback
9-Jun-2010 Business Daily
East Africa’s long running negotiations with Europe over the signing of a new trading agreement appeared headed for the rocks after the parties returned to Dar es Salaam with the old arguments that have stalled the talks for nearly two years.