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Malaysia, US face big task as free-trade talks kick off
12-Jun-2006 AFP
The United States and Malaysia are to embark on free-trade talks in the resort island of Penang, which are being fast-tracked with the goal of striking a deal by the end of the year.
Uruguay: ’We are not going to sign the FTA with the US’
12-Jun-2006 Green Left Weekly
“We are not going to sign the TLC [Free Trade Agreement] with the United States”, said Hugo Rodriguez, secretary of the Chamber of Senators and director of the Uruguayan Socialist Party. “But we are in a difficult situation.”
Free-trade agreement with Laos not in cards, US official says
12-Jun-2006 Green Bay Press Gazette
The United States has no plans to negotiate a free-trade agreement with Laos, according to the new US trade representative Susan Schwab. "That isn’t even in the cards," she said.
Mercosur-EU Relations - Historical background and perspectives
12-Jun-2006 Eyes on Europe
Despite the promised benefits for both sides, and in particular for Mercosur, there are few chances for significant changes to occur in the EU’s protectionism in its agricultural sector which would favour Mercosur. Considering this, Mercosur countries should be more concerned that the signature of an agreement based on limited market access concessions for few products is not an important step forward.
China’s Minister of Commerce holds talks with EU Trade Commissioner
11-Jun-2006 People’s Daily
The two officials exchanged views on modification of the present economic cooperation agreement between EU and China.
The politics of business
11-Jun-2006 Zawya
David Hamod, president and CEO of the National US Arab Chamber of Commerce, speaks about US-Arab trade relations
Govt working to check Lankan pepper imports
11-Jun-2006 The Hindu
Sri Lanka’s pepper exports to the country are a threat to the Indian growers and the Union Government would work out a solution through political and other means, according to Mr Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce.
AmCham pushes for direct cross-straits links
11-Jun-2006 CNA
Officials of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei said in Washington, DC Thursday that setting up direct cross-Taiwan Strait links could fast-track a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States and Taiwan.
Mexico, Argentina sign extended agreement
11-Jun-2006 AP
Mexico and Argentina signed an extended trade and investment agreement Thursday increasing the number of products given preferential tariff treatment by the two countries.
FTA hurting Thai farmers
11-Jun-2006 Bangkok Post
A recent study led by Thammasat University academic Rangsan Thanapornpan claims that the Australia-Thailand free trade agreement has benefited only a small group of industrialists, while people in the agricultural sector have been adversely affected.
NGOs take aim at free-trade accords
11-Jun-2006 swissinfo
Developing countries risk losing out under agreements struck with Switzerland and its European Free Trade Association (Efta) partners, say campaigners.
India-Malaysia signs liberal economic cooperation contract
11-Jun-2006 MITI
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement will enable Malaysia to expand and strengthen cooperation and collaboration activities in areas where India is advanced such as biotechnology, software development, science and education.
Now, FTA with Gulf runs into trouble
10-Jun-2006 Times of India
If it’s edible oil which is delaying India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Asean, petrochemical products and plastics are proving to be a stumbling block for a bilateral trade pact with the six oil-rich members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Colombia-US FTA talks still open
10-Jun-2006 Prensa Latina
Colombian Trade Minister Jorge Humberto Botero recognized Friday that negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US were not totally closed in February as it was said.
Back Bolivia’s Peoples’ Trade Agreement!
10-Jun-2006 Movimiento Boliviano por la Soberanía y la Integración solidaria de los pueblos: Contra el TLC y el ALCA
Here is an agreement that isn’t defensive, but offensive in a truly positive sense. It starts from Andean principles of solidarity, complementarity, reciprocity and co-existence with nature, which contrast radically with current trade regimes that extend rights to capital and multinationals regardless of the cost.
UN committee strongly urges Morocco to evaluate impact of the US-Morocco FTA
10-Jun-2006 3D
Morocco came under review last month by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. During this process, the UN Committee raised concerns about the effects of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on access to affordable medicines and the enjoyment of the right to health in the country.
Koreans storm Cargill Corp offices
9-Jun-2006 DC Indymedia
While the USTR’s team whines that protests are disrupting the talks, protestors led by the 60 plus delegation from South Korea stepped up the pressure by going to the offices of Cargill, an agricultural multinational corporation deeply involved in the impoverishment of traditional Korean farmers.
Albania to sign EU association agreement
9-Jun-2006 Monsters & Critics
Albania`s prime minister says he will sign an association and stabilization agreement with the European Union, ending three years of negotiations.
African nations wary of closer embrace with US
8-Jun-2006 IPS
A chorus of US officials is signaling that Washington wants to turn a controversial programme giving poor African nations partial access to US markets into a full-fledged free trade agreement that would open Africa’s economy to US corporations.
Talk of FTA problems premature: US official
8-Jun-2006
It is premature to say there are problems between Qatar and the US in the discussions towards a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs C David Welch said yesterday.