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Kuwait, Singapore agree FTA to include 4 main areas
Kuwait and Singapore have agreed that the free trade agreement between them will include four main areas of trade in goods, trade in services, investment and government procurement.
UAE, US move towards FTA
The United Arab Emirates and US made significant progress towards a Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday, paving the way for negotiations to start in the near future.
Seeds of change
Unable to get its own way through the World Trade Organisation, the EU is now shamelessly trying to corral some of the world’s poorest nations into bilateral trade agreements that would severely disadvantage them.
US-SACU trade deal: what’s in it for us?
In bilateral talks characterised by unequal power relations, the rich will force their will on the poor and the "development" element of trade deals will be diluted to the point of being meaningless. This is especially so when dealing with a country like the US that believes more trade, on its own, equals more development.
US-SACU trade talks grind to a halt
Free trade talks between the five members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the largest economy in the world have reached a dead end.
Comparing EU free trade agreements: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards
Sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) are receiving increasing attention within the framework of international trade. SPS measures are meant to ensure that imports do not undermine national health and safety.
FTA could exacerbate Philippine nurse drain
As the Philippines strives to get Japan to allow in Filipino health-care workers under a free-trade agreement now under negotiation, the country itself could be moving rapidly toward a crisis in which patients suffer as health-care professionals move abroad.
Bilateral trade talks falter after enthusiastic starts
Bangladesh is yet to make any clear headway in its bilateral talks in free trade agreements with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as trade and investment framework agreement with the United States.
US envoy stresses need for FTA with Korea
U.S. Ambassador to Korea Christopher R. Hill called for the quick conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the abolishment of the screen quota system during the General Membership Meeting with American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Tuesday at Shilla Hotel in central Seoul.
Watch out beyond the WTO: The EU’s aggressive multi-level trade agenda
Is it really just the US which pushes its economic interests in fora outside the WTO? No! The European Commission as the power centre of EU trade policy is pursuing its own neo-liberal liberalisation and deregulation scheme multilaterally within the WTO and at the same time in regional and bilateral processes!
Trade agreement between Qatar and the USA within one year
Members of the US congress expect that a free trade agreement will be signed between the USA and Qatar within one year. Qatar will provide the USA liquid natural gas and will attract direct American investments. However, Washington will set several preconditions before opening the door.
Strange article lurking at back of FTA could bring nasty surprise
HIDDEN at the back of the 1000 page Australia-US Free Trade Agreement, is a strange article, numbered 21.2(c). Usually, in a legal document such as a treaty, dispute proceedings only arise if a party has breached a formal obligation in the text.
Access to Affordable Drugs: Victims of HIV/AIDS Should Not Suffer From Trade Rules
Botswana was warned last week by a UN Committee that trade agreements should not undermine Botswana’s ability to ensure access to affordable treatment for children or other people with HIV/AIDS.
Bilateral & regional negotiations on agriculture: competitive liberalization or protectionist confusion?
Synoptic review of what is happening with US trade talks on agriculture, outside the WTO
Alert from Via Campesina Brazil on EU-Mercosur negotiations
From September 20th to 24th the negotiators for Mercosul [Mercado Común del Sur] met in Brussels. Among them were the negotiators from Brazil and the European Union to make bids on tariffs and integration processes.
Deadline for Mercosur-EU talks jeopardised
No one is admitting it publicly, but there is now little doubt that nine years of negotiations to reach a free trade agreement between South America’s Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union have failed, without even leaving any real hope for the coming year.
USTR outlines importance of US-Andean trade accord
The entry into force of a U.S. free-trade agreement with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru will open important markets for the United States, bolster the economies and counternarcotics efforts in the Andean nations, and should be concluded in a timely fashion, says Deputy U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Peter Allgeier.
How free trade changed us
Jobs are only one part of the trade equation. As the U.S. chips away at Canada’s economic independence, we’re slowly losing our sovereignty, says David Orchard
UAE upbeat on trade pact with US
The UAE is ready to enter negotiations with the United States for a full-fledged free trade agreement that would dramatically boost trade and the flow of investment between both countries.