August 2012

Pan-Asian FTA possible

Bangkok Post, 31 August, 2012
Sixteen nations home to roughly half the world’s population have agreed “in principle” to create a free trade area spanning Asia, according to Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan. More…

Pakistan, China FTA review: MoI, industrialists begin consultations

Business Recorder, Pakistan, 30 August, 2012
Ministry of Industries (MoI) has started consulting with industrial representatives ahead of talks between Pakistan and China as part of the process to review Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both countries signed FTA on November 24, 2006 which according to business circles has hurt some local industries very badly. More…

Taiwan’s dignity should be maintained in FTA signings: academic

Focus Taiwan News Channel, 30 August, 2012
Taiwan should maintain its dignity when it signs Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with other countries, a National Taiwan University professor said Wednesday. More…

Civic groups voice FTA worries

Bangkok Post, 30 August, 2012
Civil society organisations have expressed concerns about Thai-European Union free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations to the European Parliament, which has expressed full support for the pact. More…

India, ASEAN to review talks on FTA in services and investments

Economic Times, 29 August, 2012
Trade ministers of India and 10-member ASEAN will review the progress of ongoing negotiations to widen the base of free trade agreement between them by including services and investments. More…

Pacific leaders urged to wrap up talks on trade deal

Xinhua, China, 29 August, 2012
Pacific members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) were urged Tuesday to wrap up talks on a trade deal with the European Union this year. More…

Growing Opposition to the Canada-EU Trade Agreement

Global research.ca, 29 August, 2012
With the final rounds of negotiations sessions planned for September and October, Canada and the EU are closing in on a free trade deal that would go far beyond the reach of NAFTA. More…

India, Canada start negotiating CEPA

India Blooms News Service, 27 August, 2012
India and Canada have commenced negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) covering Trade in Services, Trade in Goods, Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures, Rules of Origin, Technical Barriers to Trade etc. More…

The Pacific free trade deal that’s anything but free

The Guardian, 27 August, 2012
Free trade is a sacred mantra in Washington. If anything is labeled as being “free trade”, then everyone in the Washington establishment is required to bow down and support it. More…

S. Korea Says Japan Free Trade Talks ‘Difficult’ Due to Tensions

Bloomberg, 27 August, 2012
South Korea said resuming negotiations with Japan over a free trade agreement will be difficult given a maritime territorial spat. More…

S. Korea, China make headway in FTA talks

Yonhap News, Korea, 27 August, 2012
South Korea and China have made progress in their free trade talks with both countries agreeing on removing tariffs on products within 10 years after the implementation of their free trade accord, Seoul’s trade ministry said Monday. More…

Negotiations Between EAC, EPA On Track Despite Hitches

Tanzania Daily News, 26 August, 2012
East Africa Community (EAC) General Secretary, Dr Richard Sezibera said despite progress made in the ongoing negotiations in the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, there were still contentious issues to be addressed. More…

Meeting vital to meet minsters deadline

Fiji Times, Suva, 24 August, 2012
Pacific-African, Caribbean and Pacific (PACP) trade officials and ministers met in Nuku’alofa, Tonga earlier this month to discuss key issues, which included the Management of PACP Group, Fiji’s participation in the PACP and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the EU. More…

Indonesia seeks trade, but not free trade

Winnipeg Free Press, Canada, 24 August, 2012
Indonesia is eager to boost trade with Canada, but the South Asian country isn’t interested in two of the Harper government’s top priorities — pursuing a free-trade deal or buying Alberta oilsands crude. More…

Sri Lanka not keen on CEPA with India

Business Standard, India, 24 August, 2012
Sri Lanka has apparently informed Indian authorities it was not keen on having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India, as it feared granting more Indian access to its markets would destroy that country’s domestic industry. More…

FTA Fund to aid development of fish products

The Nation, Bangkok, 23 August, 2012
Free Trade Agreement Fund officials are pursuing a plan to develop Thai fish products in local communities, as concern grows that the domestic market is facing an influx of cheaper fisheries produce from neighbouring countries under the Asean seamless market. More…

Lost trade with U.S. prompts Canada to seek other markets

Vancouver Sun, Canada, 22 August, 2012
A spate of anti-democratic actions in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain have turned an unflattering spotlight on a six-year-old U.S. free trade agreement sponsored and promoted by Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican candidate for vice president. More…

OAE: Thailand still has upper hand in FTAs on farm products

Pattaya Mail, Thailand, 22 August, 2012
The Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) has disclosed that Thailand this year still has an edge over its dialogue partners in the free trade agreements (FTAs) on agricultural products. More…

S. Korea, Costa Rica agree to explore FTA

APF, 22 August, 2012
South Korea and Costa Rica agreed Tuesday to explore the possibility of a free trade agreement to build on their growing economic ties, the president’s office said. More…

Paul Ryan-sponsored Bahrain trade agreement under scrutiny amid crackdowns

Huffington Post, 20 August, 2012
A spate of anti-democratic actions in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain have turned an unflattering spotlight on a six-year-old U.S. free trade agreement sponsored and promoted by Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican candidate for vice president. More…

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: free trade at what costs? – analysis

COHA, 20 August, 2012
Outlining a vision for an Asia-Pacific Century, Secretary Clinton described a desired symbiotic and unfettered relationship between the two regions that will provide unprecedented opportunities for investment, trade, and access to cutting-edge technology. More…

No doubts’ in Caribbean forging ahead with EPA says official

Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 19 August, 2012
A top Caribbean Forum (Cariforum) executive wants to put to rest doubts that region will not be able to capitalise on the opportunities offered by the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed into effect between CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU) since 2008. More…

Chile affirms importance of trade agreement with Sacu

Creamer Media’s Engineering News, South Africa, 17 August, 2012
Chile views the recently finalised memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the creation of a Joint Trade and Investment Commission with South Africa as the starting point for the negotiation of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu). More…

Chile and Thailand sign agriculture agreements in Bangkok

Santiago Times, Chile, 16 August, 2012
Chilean Minister of Agriculture Luis Mayol signed two agreements in Bangkok Wednesday with his Thai counterpart, Theera Wongsamut. The agreements will set a common protocol for agricultural exchange and sanitary practices. More…

Harper, Merkel aren’t playing tit-for-tat on free trade deal, IMF bailoutM

Canadian Business, 16 August, 2012
Angela Merkel gave Stephen Harper what he wanted — strong public support for a Canada-European Union trade deal — but not before she gently but firmly noted “problems” with high carbon emissions from Alberta’s oilsands. More…

Canadian Foreign Minister to visit India next month

Zee News, India, 16 August, 2012
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will visit India next month to strengthen bilateral economic ties between the two countries. More…

Chile, India to hold free trade talks: official

The News International, 16 August, 2012
Chile and India will begin negotiations on a free trade agreement at the end of the year, Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno in a television interview Tuesday. More…

FTA with European Union should get the green light

The Nation, Bangkok, 16 August, 2012
Reduction of tariffs between Thai and European markets can be beneficial but only if the concerns of all groups and sectors are heeded and acted upon. More…

Israel unhappy after EU blacklists 1980s town

EU Observer, 15 August, 2012
Israel has complained about the EU’s inclusion of parts of the town of Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut on a blacklist of settlements. More…

Australian business leaders launch trade agreement campaign

Tax-News.com, 13 August, 2012
Members of the Australian business community have launched a campaign for trade agreements to include provisions to allow private companies to sue foreign governments for breach of contract or property rights. More…

The Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Global Business Guide, 13 August, 2012
Negotiations will soon commence for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Indonesia. More…

Island visit may threaten trade; Officials fear effects of Takeshima trip on partnership talks with S. Korea

The Daily Yomiuri, 13 August, 2012
Fears have risen over the future of Japan-South Korea economic relations in the wake of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak’s visit Friday to the Takeshima islands. More…

CIS countries to agree on free trade in services

Bilaterals.org, 13 August, 2012
The Commonwealth of Independent States plans to agree on free trade in services, government’s commissioner for cooperation with the Russian Federation and the CIS countries Valeriy Muntiyan told a press conference. More…

EU launches probe into dumping of Indian steel wire

The Economics Times, 11 August, 2012
The European Commission said it had received an anti-dumping complaint by European steel producers’ group Eurofer against imports of stainless steel wires from India. More…

Chile expects to ink FTA with RI soon: Minister

The Jakarta Post, 11 August, 2012
Chile, an entry point into the South American region, soon expects to set up a free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia in a bid to boost bilateral trade and enhance economic cooperation, according to a Chilean minister. More…

Business demands sovereign risk protection in FTAs

Business Spectator, Australia, 09 August, 2012
The Gillard government’s refusal to reconsider its decision not to demand sovereign risk protection for Australian companies in free-trade agreements has been met with loud objections from leading business groups who say such provisions are vital to international trade, according to The Australian Financial Review. More…

Mercosur senses dangers of free trade with China

Inter Press Service, 10 August, 2012
There is little likelihood that South America’s Mercosur trade bloc will take up China’s proposal to establish a free trade agreement, at least in the short term. Experts and industrialists fear an invasion of cheap Chinese goods, and unequal competition. More…

China offers protection to Taiwan investors

Financial Times, 09 August, 2012
China and Taiwan have signed their first investor-protection agreement in the latest sign of the momentum behind President Ma Ying-jeou’s drive to strengthen his country’s relationship with China, its biggest trade partner and frequent political adversary. More…

Asia Pacific talks not aimed at containing China – US official

Chicago Tribune, 09 August, 2012
U.S.-led talks on a free trade pact in the Asia Pacific region are not an attempt to economically contain China, a top U.S. trade official said on Wednesday. More…

India, Chile set to expand PTA to increase trade

SME Times News Bureau, 08 August, 2012
Ministers from India and Chile Tuesday decided to expand the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to increase trade between the two nations, informed ministry of commerce and industry. More…

Services sector, sticking point in India-EU free trade talks

Business Line (PTI), 08 August, 2012
India and the European Union are facing “difficulties” relating to the services sector in signing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two sides, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders said here today. More…

Public hearing ’required’ before FTA talks

Bangkok Post, 08 August, 2012
A free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union requires not only parliamentary approval but also a public hearing before the Commerce Ministry can negotiate the terms, FTA Watch, a civil society network, declared on Wednesday. More…

EU-Israel: One hand whitewashes the other

Al Jazeera, 08 August, 2012
How Israel can breach international law, commit systematic human rights abuses and colonise Palestine with impunity is typically blamed on the role of the US, for which there is plenty of supporting evidence: from the UN Security Council veto to significant financial and military support. More…

Price gouging undermines South Korean trade pacts, minister says

Bloomberg, 08 August, 2012
South Korean consumers aren’t getting the full benefit of deals lowering trade barriers because distributors and wholesalers aren’t passing along the savings in import costs, the nation’s trade minister said. More…

Free trade agreements roil global auto manufacturers

Philippine Daily Inquirer, 08 August, 2012
When I was in South Korea for five days last month, I noticed that very few European and American cars were on the road in Seoul and Keosu. Ninety-nine percent of the motor vehicles were Korean brands. More…

Thailand mulls FTA negotiations with EU

The Chaina Post, 07 August, 2012
Thailand will ask the European Union to put the more than 700 export items that are at risk of losing export privileges in two years into an “early harvest” scheme under a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). More…

Pacific could be pushed into unwanted deals

Fiji Times, 07 August, 2012
AS the start of trade talks on a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union nears, Pacific African Caribbean Pacific countries have been urged not to allow themselves to be forced into a deal that undermines each country’s independence. More…

Malaysia says no to TPP

The Sun Daily, 06 August, 2012
Malaysia is against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) which seeks to extend the patent periods of medicines by foreign companies. More…

EU mulls French request for surveillance of S.Korea car imports

Reuters, 06 August, 2012
The European Union is examining a request by France to require South Korea to give advanced warning of planned car exports to the EU, the first step towards the possible re-introduction of duties a year after a free-trade deal came into effect. More…

Pakistan businessmen want legal cover for their investment in India

The Economic Times, 06 August, 2012
Pakistani businessmen who intend to invest in India should be given legal cover to ensure that no future government in Delhi reverses the decision to allow investments from Pakistan, a leading trade lobby has said. More…

Leaked US proposal on copyright’s limits: TPP draft looks more restrictive than some had hoped

Ars Technica, 05 August, 2012
Late Friday, a few short paragraphs of text were leaked that revealed something of the terms on fair use being negotiated in secret by the Trans-Pacific Partnership. More…

MoC seeks trade agreement with South American countries

Daily Times, Pakistan, 05 August, 2012
The Ministry of Commerce is negotiating trading arrangements with Mercosur countries like Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Andean Community (CAN) a trade bloc comprising the South American countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to increase it’s trade market access. More…

Japan’s free-trade nemesis built on part-time farmers empire

Bloomberg, 03 August, 2012
Japan’s government wants it. Mitsubishi Corp. backs it. Toyota Motor Corp. says they need it to compete. Yet, whether Japan joins the biggest attempt at a global free-trade pact may hinge on part-time rice farmers like Tadashi Hirose. More…

Doubt over benefits of FTA with India

The Daily Star, 03 August, 2012
Analysts yesterday expressed doubt over a World Bank idea that a free trade agreement (FTA) with India will boost Bangladesh’s exports to the neighbour. More…

Korea, Turkey Sign FTA

Arirang, 02 August, 2012
Korea and Turkey signed a free trade agreement on Wednesday, as a first step towards expanding bilateral trade between the two countries. More…

US official to visit Taiwan amid trade talks push

AFP, 01 August, 2012
A senior US diplomat is to visit Taiwan this month, officials said Wednesday, as Taipei looks to resume free trade talks with Washington after lifting a six-year-old ban on some US beef imports. More…