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Govt says it won’t scrap Pharmac for free-trade deal
The New Zealand government has dismissed the possibility it would scrap its drug-funding system as part of the price of a free-trade deal with the United States.
Pharma dept says no to IP clauses in FTAs
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has firmly declined the commerce ministry proposal to incorporate intellectual property (IP) protection clauses, which go beyond the existing rules, as part of the free trade agreements (FTAs) being negotiated with the European Union (EU) and Japan.
Pharmac reforms expected
The medicines industry says reforms are likely be needed to the way the Government’s drug-buying agency Pharmac operates if New Zealand is to reach a free trade deal with the United States.
America misses another Asian opportunity
The eight-country "Trans-Pacific Partnership" is now the main face of the Obama administration’s trade policy. It was personally endorsed by the president in November and followed up last month by the first detailed discussions in Melbourne. But a closer look at the actual deal shows how little there is to be excited about.
Like EU, Japan FTA also a priority
The government seems in a hurry to conclude its key free trade agreements (FTAs) in 2010. Apart from aggressively aiming to conclude the EU FTA this year, not withstanding apprehensions of European parliamentarians or activists from Thailand, India and Brazil, the Japan FTA is also high on the radar.
UAE to push GCC-EU free trade plan
The UAE will push for a long-awaited free trade agreement between the GCC and the European Union during the Emirates presidency of the Gulf states’ bloc next year, said the Foreign Minister.
Boeing chief urges quick US action on trade deals
The United States risks losing significant export sales to the European Union, Canada and other countries unless it approves three long-delayed free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia, Boeing (BA.N) Chief Executive James McNerney said on Thursday.
Unlevel Playing Field Under Asean-China FTA, Say Aluminium Makers
An unlevel playing field exists under the Asean-China free trade agreement (FTA), according to the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Aluminium Manufacturers Group (FMM AMGM).
Access: Fighting free trade agreements
Fatima Mello of the Brazil Network for the Integration of Peoples worked with other civil society groups across South America in order to bring down the proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. Here she discusses the campaign and lessons learned:
Uribe pushes for US trade vote before leaving office
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is pushing President Barack Obama to win congressional approval of a long-delayed free trade deal before Uribe leaves office in August, the top Colombian trade official said on Wednesday.
Draft trade agreement worries technology companies
Technology companies and public interest groups are warning that an international trade agreement being drafted could expose Internet access providers, Web search engines and other online businesses to damaging legal risks.
The Caracas Manifesto reaffirms the agreement to strengthen the sovereignty of the people
"The time has come for us to take on an Economic Plan that places greater emphasis on projects and transnational companies, the People’s Trade Treaty, the sucre and the Bank of Alba as the foundational pillars for a common economic area."
Civil society groups in India and across the world protest against EU-India FTA
Civil society and public health groups from India, Brazil and several other countries today vehemently objected to the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Colombia-Canada FTA in final stages
Colombia’s minister of trade, industry and tourism, Luis Guillermo Plata, announced Tuesday that the country has reached the "final stages" of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada, reports Caracol Radio.
Canada - Door open for beef to Colombia
The Colombian market for Canadian beef, worth about $6 million per year, has just been reopened in the context of the proposed Canada-Colombia FTA, after being closed since 2003 due to BSE in Canadian cattle.
Goods pact in hand, Asean goes slow on services deal
Having secured a good deal in merchandise trade in the free trade agreement, the ten-member Asean is dragging its feet on meeting India’s demand for liberalising trade in services and investments, especially movement of professionals.
Groups call for human rights review of US medicine policy
In a report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council over the weekend, PIJIP joined with HIV treatment advocacy organizations Health Global Access Project (HealthGAP) and the European Community Advisory Board to call for a human rights review of U.S. trade policy on access to medicines.
Will Chevron get away with destroying the Amazon?
Litigation over the ecological disaster that is Lago Agrio has produced a decades-long narrative that rivals Finnegans Wake in complexity.
Taiwan activists want to rally 1 million protesters against ECFA with China on June 6
Taiwan-centric groups said Wednesday they wanted to rally 1 million people on June 6 for a protest against government plans for an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China.
China ECFA debate about more than economy: Taiwan white-collar alliance
Taiwan’s April 25 televised debate about the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement project should discuss more than just the economy, an alliance of ECFA opponents said Sunday. Meanwhile, opposition groups are hoping to rally 1 million people islandwide for anti-ECFA protests on June 6.