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Officials: China-ROK FTA talks have many hurdles
13-Dec-2006 People’s Daily
The Republic of Korea (ROK) is not fully prepared to enter free trade area (FTA) talks with China despite such a deal being widely believed to be positive for both economies, Shin Bong-kil, a minister with the Embassy of the ROK in China, said yesterday.
’Tis the season for free trade dealings
13-Dec-2006 Epoch Times
New Zealand’s rush for Asia-Pacific free trade agreements was slowed by a typhoon in the Phillipines, but sped up through a partnership agreement with the Republic of Korea.
Panama, US to restart free trade agreement talks Friday
13-Dec-2006 NASDAQ
Panama’s government will restart free trade talks with the US on Friday, seeking an important tool to combat poverty, Panama President Martin Torrijos said Tuesday.
China, EU search for new agreement
13-Dec-2006 Asia Times
China and the European Union are making efforts to map out a new agreement aimed at establishing a legal framework for their strategic partnership amid ever stronger political and economic relations.
EU: fourth phase agenda with Caribbean EPA passed
13-Dec-2006 FreshPlaza
The meeting of Caribbean Ministers with Europe’s Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson resulted in the agreement of the agenda for the fourth phase of negotiations of the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement). The main objective of this phase is to reconcile texts of previous phases.
Aust, Japan free trade agreement likely worth billions
13-Dec-2006 ABC
Despite growing concern in Japan over the impact a free trade agreement could have on local farmers, Prime Minister John Howard and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe have agreed to begin formal negotiations in the new year. Mr Howard says agriculture will be included.
Free trade vs. economic pain in Ecuador
13-Dec-2006 CSM
The country is split over a possible permanent trade deal with the US.
Slow starter Japan revs up FTA drive
13-Dec-2006 Asia Times
Japan is revving up its drive toward free-trade agreements (FTAs), a move largely fueled by an intensifying rivalry with China over leadership in regional economic integration and increasingly tough global competition for oil, gas and other resources.
US commerce secretary says time short for free-trade deal with SKorea
12-Dec-2006 IHT
The US commerce secretary warned Tuesday that time was running short to forge a free-trade agreement with South Korea, calling on Seoul to trim its list of dozens of products it claims are too sensitive to be included in the pact.
Trade bill for Haiti hailed as trigger for turning around its economy
12-Dec-2006 CNS
A trade preference bill included in one of the last bits of legislation passed before the end of the 109th congressional session Dec. 9 is being hailed as having the potential to help start a turnaround in the bedraggled economy of the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
Thai-Japan FTA an important test
12-Dec-2006 Nation
This week, the Thai Foreign Ministry is expected to ask the Cabinet to consider whether to approve the draft Thai-Japanese free trade agreement (FTA). Inevitably, questions will crop up regarding the legitimacy of an interim government and a non-elected people’s assembly to pass an international trade agreement.
US advises developing country FTA partners not to follow WHO IP plan
12-Dec-2006 IP Watch
Developing countries that have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States received an email in the form of a “démarche” from the US government before the 4-8 December 2006 meeting of the WHO Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights saying that it had become apparent that the WHO was trying to go beyond its competency and address issues which could have impact on the scope and effect of FTAs.
Ecuador rejects US free trade pact
11-Dec-2006 BusinessWeek
Ecuador’s President-elect Rafael Correa said Sunday that he will not sign a free trade agreement with the United States. "We don’t have a national currency, we have the dollar," he told Radioprogramas. "If as a result of the agreement, Peru and Colombia have a problem in the external sector, they reduce the currency’s value and correct the imbalance. Ecuador can’t do that and the consequences could be incalculable."
RP to pursue free-trade accord with US
11-Dec-2006 Manila Times
The Philippines and the United States have agreed to pursue talks for a comprehensive free-trade agreement (FTA) despite next year’s end to President Bush’s authority to fast track negotiations for any trade-related accord. "We don’t want to make the same issues like the JPEPA [Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement] so we are after an extensive and comprehensive consultation with all sectors,” Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said.
Farmers demand EU deal
11-Dec-2006 The Standard
Flower exporters have asked the Kenyan government to ensure that it signs an agreement with the European Union (EU) before the General Elections next year.
China, EU striving to map out new pact
11-Dec-2006 Xinhua
China and the European Union are making efforts to map out a new agreement, aimed at nailing down their strategic partnership into legal framework amid ever stronger political and economic relations.
Ecuador’s president-elect rules out signing trade pact with US
11-Dec-2006 IHT
Ecuador’s President-elect Rafael Correa said Sunday that he will not sign a free trade agreement with the United States but will seek extended trade preferences under an anti-drug agreement.
Now oil-rich Libya to join Comesa FTA
11-Dec-2006 East African
Libya is to become the second North African country after Egypt to join the Free Trade Area of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa). The implication is that exports from this oil-rich country will now have duty-free access to 13 other Comesa member-states that have so far signed on to the Free Trade Area arrangement.
Free-trade bondage in Jordan
9-Dec-2006 Middle East Online
The Jordan-United States free-trade agreement was supposed to be a labor-rights model. It has been a disaster — ’globalization’ at its worst.
ASEAN economic ministers rush signing of 6 accords
9-Dec-2006 Manila Bulletin
Economic Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rushed on Friday night the signing of six agreements including two protocols to the ASEAN-China FTA. The agreement on trade and services with China was left unsigned.