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EU says Pakistan must wait for trade breaks
The European Union told Pakistan on Friday it could gain increased access to EU markets in one to three years but ruled out immediately granting Islamabad new trade concessions.
Asia Pacific ministers claim progress in free trade goals
Ministers from the Asia Pacific nations said on Sunday they had made "significant progress" toward free-trade goals set in 1994 as they closed a two-day APEC meeting in Japan.
Bolivia abandons trade agreement
Beginning June 7, Bolivia will terminate its free trade agreement with Mexico which has existed since 1994. No reason was given for why the Andean nation is taking this step.
Taiwan says as WTO member, it has FTA rights
Taiwan’s economics minister said on Saturday that as a World Trade Organization member, Taiwan has the right to seek free trade deals with many partners, a move China opposes as the two work on a trade pact.
Aquino pressed to review Manila-Tokyo trade deal
Pamalakaya national chair Fernando Hicap said the review and possible abrogation of the bilateral trade pact between the Philippines and Japan could happen in the first 100 days of the Aquino administration.
Taiwan president faces hurdles in key China deal
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou is facing domestic and Chinese hurdles in his pursuit of a key China trade pact that could bring about the closest relations between the longtime rivals since their split amid civil war in 1949.
Panel rejects request for national referendum on ECFA
Taiwan’s Referendum Review Committee yesterday rejected a proposal to hold a national referendum on an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) that has yet to be signed between Taipei and Beijing.
US tries to build consensus for trans-Pacific trade talks
The Obama administration is pressing ahead with trade expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, even as it struggles to build consensus with labor and business groups.
Malaysia to draw up FTA framework with GCC countries by October, says Mukhriz
Malaysia hopes to draw up a frawework for free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries by October, said International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
ECFA early-harvest list may contain 500 items: Chinese official
Mainland China may make a major concession in the talks for cross-Taiwan Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) by expanding the early-harvest list, or priority items for tariff cut or market opening, to 500 items rather than the expected 300.
China, India to raise concerns at WTO about “TRIPS-plus” measures, ACTA
China and India next week plan to voice concerns at the World Trade Organization about efforts by developed countries to push poorer trading partners beyond their WTO commitments on trade and intellectual property rights, so-called TRIPS-plus measures.
Suspend all ties with Israel: CPI(M)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) demands that the government of India stop negotiating its Free Trade Agreement with Israel in view of the attack by Israeli commandos on a six-ship convoy carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to Gaza strip.
Bananas: Geneva Agreement signed, bilaterals cut tariffs further
The Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas cuts the EU’s multilateral banana tariff in gradual steps while its bilateral tariff on bananas from Peru, Colombia and six Central American countries will be slashed still further.
Ma urges PRC not to block FTAs
Taiwan’s President Ma is in trouble after a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman says that Beijing would not allow Taiwan to sign trade deals with other countries, even after an ECFA is signed.
Taiwan foreign FTAs opposed
Taiwan protested on Wednesday after China said it will object to foreign countries signing free trade agreements with the island, a blow to what Taipei officials see as a key driver to its US$390 billion economy.
Can-EU trade talks look good but face 3 potential sticking points: Spanish envoy
A European diplomat identified three potential obstacles Tuesday to a free-trade deal with Canada: intellectual property rights, agriculture and government contracts.
China makes top priority of free-trade deal with Gulf
China has made securing a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the GCC a high priority as demand for energy and industrial imports in the fast-emerging global superpower rises.
Government’s ECFA referendum stance misleading: TSU
Taiwan authorities will decide Thursday on whether the ECFA referendum proposal is valid.
RP to explore bilateral pact with Taiwan
The Philippines is exploring the possibility of forging a bilateral agreement with Taipei, with talks to start between the two governments this week at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers’ meeting in Japan.
NZ, Russia agree to begin free trade accord talks
New Zealand, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, agreed to begin work on a free trade accord with Russia, the world’s largest market for butter and cheese. Any such deal will include Belarus and Kazakstan, according to NZ trade minister Tim Groser.