EU, Central American Countries Sign Association Agreement
RTT News, 29 June, 2012
The European Union and six Central American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama —on Friday signed a comprehensive Association Agreement which also includes an ambitious trade component. More…
Vietnam, EU begin free trade agreement talks
VNA, 27 June, 2012
Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and the EU’s Trade Commissioner Karel De Gutch officially began negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU in Brussels. More…
SA Government signs trade agreement with China
Adelaide Now, 27 June, 2012
THE South Australian Government has signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement with China in a bid to grow exports. More…
Peru-EU FTA likely to take effect year-end
Bernama, 27 June, 2012
The European Union Tuesday signed a multipartite free trade agreement (FTA) with Peru and Colombia which is expected to become effective before the end of this year, according to EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. More…
US envoy urges Taiwan to open market amid beef row
Agence France Presse, 27 June, 2012
Washington’s de facto ambassador to Taiwan on Wednesday urged the island to further open its market if it hopes to sign a trade deal with the US, amid a lingering dispute over American beef imports. More…
Using the TPP to Renegotiate and Expand NAFTA
Dissident Voice, 26 June, 2012
Both Canada and Mexico have been invited to join the U.S., along with other countries already engaged in negotiations which will deepen trade and economic ties within the Asia-Pacific region. More…
India to talk retail FDI at EU free-trade meet
Daily News & Analysis, 26 June, 2012
India is taking an aggressive stance in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union (EU). More…
Using the TPP to Renegotiate and Expand NAFTA
Infowars.com, 26 June, 2012
Both Canada and Mexico have been invited to join the U.S., along with other countries already engaged in negotiations which will deepen trade and economic ties within the Asia-Pacific region. Such a deal would surpass NAFTA in size and scope. More…
EU trade talks progress may trigger Vietnam investment revival
Bloomberg, 26 June, 2012
Progress in free-trade talks between the European Union and Vietnam may trigger a resurgence of investment in the Southeast Asian nation from companies within the 27-nation bloc, the EU’s top representative in Vietnam said. More…
Korea, Colombia conclude free trade deal
Korea Times, 26 June, 2012
The leaders of Korea and Colombia announced early Tuesday morning (KST) that the two countries had finished the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). More…
Colombia-Costa Rica FTA in the offing
Tax-News.com, Washington, 26 June, 2012
Colombia and Costa Rica have agreed to rapidly conclude negotiations towards a free trade agreement which will cut tariff barriers to trade from as early as the first half of 2013, and pave the way for Costa Rica to become the fifth member of a regional trade bloc. More…
Canada concludes latest Morocco FTA talks
Tax-News.com, Washington, 26 June, 2012
Canada and Morocco have completed the third round of talks toward a free trade agreement (FTA), with Canada’s Minister of International Trade stressing that deepening trading relationships in fast-growing markets is the best way to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. More…
Chinese premier says Asian giant is interested in free-trade deal with Mercosur trade bloc
Associated Press, 26 June, 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the Asian giant is interested in a possible free-trade deal with the Mercosur regional trade bloc. More…
Foreign lawsuits already a threat
Fairfax NZ News, 25 June, 2012
As activists and the Government clash over the alleged inclusion of investor protections in the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, a legal expert says many foreign investors already have that right. More…
Brazil signing currency swap agreements with all BRICS countries
Brazzil Mag, 24 June, 2012
Brazil and China have agreed to pay for trade transactions in local currencies (the real and the yuan or renminbi). The currency swap agreement will be backed by US$ 30 billion (R$60 billion or 190 billion yuans). More…
India, EU to take stock of proposed free trade pact on Tuesday
The Economics Times, 24 June, 2012
India and EU are scheduled to take stock of the much-delayed negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement at a meeting here on Tuesday. More…
Korea & Chile agree to upgrade FTA to new level
Arirang, 23 June, 2012
President Lee Myung-bak met with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Friday, and agreed to upgrade their free trade agreement to a new level. More…
EU Envoy Hopeful Of FTA With Malaysia
Bernama, 22 June, 2012
The European Union (EU) hopes the Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia will be materialised, said its Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Malaysia, Vincent Piket. More…
EU-S’pore FTA talks ’to conclude by end-July’
Today Online, 21 June, 2012
The European Union and Singapore will conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of next month, according to Mr Marc Ungeheuer, ambassador and head of the European Union’s delegation to the Republic, Bloomberg reported. More…
Trade talks ain’t what they used to be (open)
The Globe and Mail, 21 June, 2012
The North American Free Trade Agreement ignited a national uprising. On Parliament Hill, opposition parties railed against the accord’s potential to make Canada the 51st state of the U.S. It made national figures out of anti-NAFTA crusaders Mel Hurtig and Maude Barlow. More…
EU and US inch toward talks on free trade area
Reuters, 21 June, 2012
The United States and the European Union on Wednesday inched closer to starting negotiations on a long-awaited free trade deal, with the release of a report calling for wide-ranging market opening and mutual acceptance of product standards. More…
Korea, Canada agree to resume free trade negotiations
Arirang News, 19 June, 2012
President Lee Myung-bak and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have agreed to re-open negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement within this year. More…
Canada to reveal next step in closer China trade ties
CBC News, Canada, 19 June, 2012
Canada is set to announce it has completed an important step toward closer trade ties with China. More…
Trans-Pacific Partnership: Canada nears deal for entry into prized Pacific trade talks
The Globe and Mail, 18 June, 2012
The Harper government and the Obama administration are closing in on a deal that would see Washington support Canada’s admission to major Pacific Rim free-trade talks, The Globe and Mail has learned. More…
Mexico invited to join US-backed Pacific free trade agreement talks
The Hill, 18 June, 2012
The United States formally announced Monday that Mexico has been invited to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks. More…
EU-US free trade deal offers painless stimulus for both
Bloomberg, June 18, 2012
Before the end of the month, U.S. and European Union trade officials will recommend whether to pursue a free-trade agreement. More…
East Africa: EAC strikes new trade agreement with US
Tanzania Daily News, 17 June, 2012
A new Trade and Investment partnership has been forged between the Arusha-based East African Community (EAC) and the United States of America, the ‘Sunday News’ has learnt. More…
Romney: Ban Japan from free trade talks
The Destroit News, June 15, 2012
U.S. automakers are sharply opposed to allowing Japan into the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks. They argue that the Asian nation hasn’t done enough to open its market to U.S. auto exports. More…
Peru, EU to sign FTA on June 26 in Brussels
Bernama, June 15, 2012
Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Jose Luis Silva announced Thursday that the Multipartite Trade Agreement between the European Union, Peru and Colombia, known as Free Trade Agreement (FTA), will be signed on June 26 in Brussels, Belgium. More…
ACP Countries Won’t Bow to EU Pressure
The Herald, Zimbabwe, 14 June, 2012
The African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries has said it would not bow to pressure by the European Union to sign the Economic Partnership Agreements, until there is a mutually beneficial position that does not threaten regional integration. More…
Colombia-EU FTA will pass before July: Minister
Colombia Reports, 14 June 2012
Colombia’s trade minister announced Thursday that the free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) would be finalized June 26. More…
Gordon Campbell on the leaks about the Trans Pacific Partnership
Scoop Media, New Zealand, 14 June, 2012
Namibia next week will take its fight against an unfair trade pact with the European Union (EU) to Germany, powerhouse of the economic bloc, as part of a campaign to lobby support against losing access to the lucrative market. More…
Geingob takes EPA fight to Germany
The Namibian, 14 June, 2012
Namibia next week will take its fight against an unfair trade pact with the European Union (EU) to Germany, powerhouse of the economic bloc, as part of a campaign to lobby support against losing access to the lucrative market. More…
Trade deal claims a ‘beat up’ – Groser
New Zealand Herald, Auckland, 14 June, 2012
Trade Minister Tim Groser has rubbished claims the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement would leave New Zealand vulnerable to being sued by foreign companies. More…
’Don’t blame FTA for Korean cars’ popularity in EU’
Korea Times, 13 June, 2012
Korea’s auto trade group refuted Wednesday European carmakers’ allegation that the free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and the European Union solely contributed to a sharp rise in Korean car sales in Europe. More…
EU Parliament flexes new muscle on Japan free trade deal
Reuters, 13 June, 2012
The European Parliament on Wednesday requested a delay in negotiations on an EU-Japan free-trade agreement (FTA) because of concerns over trade barriers, for the first time using new powers to try to hold up trade deals. More…
Trade pact with Europe still a tough sell to Africa, Pacific bloc
Inter Press Service, 13 June, 2012
Caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place, African and Pacific countries are still unsure whether they should follow the lead of their Caribbean counterparts and sign a wide-ranging Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe. More…
SKorea wants dedicated FTA with Malaysia: Muhyiddin
BERNAMA, June 13, 2012
South Korea has proposed to Malaysia to have a dedicated free trade agreement (FTA) with that country, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today. More…
EU: EPA talks depend on tariff progress
Daily Yomirui, June 13, 2012
The European Commission will suspend planned talks with Japan on a bilateral economic partnership agreement if Tokyo fails to remove nontariff trade barriers as it pledged, a senior member of the commission said Monday. More…
Obama trade document leaked, revealing new corporate powers and broken campaign promises
Huffington Post, 13 June, 2012
A critical document from President Barack Obama’s free trade negotiations with eight Pacific nations was leaked online early Wednesday morning, revealing that the administration intends to bestow radical new political powers upon multinational corporations, contradicting prior promises. More…
Dairy access a hurdle in Russia trade deal talks
Radio New Zealand, 11 June, 2012
The Government says New Zealand’s robust dairy sector is the main sticking point in brokering a free-trade deal with Russia. More…
Imported whisky prices rise despite EU FTA
Korea Herald, 10 June, 2012
Retail prices of imported whisky from Europe have not dropped but climbed in the local market despite the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement which took effect in July 1, 2011, according to the antitrust regulator. More…
EU-Colombia-Peru FTA Criticized
Prensa Latina, Cuba, 10 June 2012
The director of the weekly newspaper Voz, organ of the Colombian Communist Party, Carlos Lozano, described the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) recently signed between the European Union (EU) and Colombian as “very negative”. More…
EPAs dividing SADC region – official
New Era, Namibia, 08 Jun 2012
Southern African Development Community (SADC) integration is compounded by the ongoing Economic Partnership Agreements’ (EPAs) trade negotiations between the European Union (EU), a SADC official said on Wednesday. More…
Exporters at risk over delays in EPAs deal
The Standard, Kenya, 08 June, 2012
Kenya could lose heavily if Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are not signed, Musa Sirma, East African Community (EAC) minister said. More…
White House pressured in DC to admit Canada to Trans-Pacific trade talks
The Canadian Press, 08 June, 2012
Canada’s absence from talks on a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement has been dominating bilateral chatter in the U.S. capital with the Obama administration under pressure to welcome Canadians to the negotiating table. More…
India-Asean FTA has more potential for bilateral trade
The Hindu, Business Line, 07 June, 2012
The India-Asean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is under-utilised, as it has more potential for increasing bilateral trade, according to Mr Vichael Angelo, Commercial Attache, the Philippines Department of Trade & Industry. More…
Mulroney wades into EU free-trade talks, egging on pharma
The Canadian Press, 06 June, 2012
Brian Mulroney is wading into the high-stakes debate over patent protection in the free trade talks with Europe, and he’s clearly taking sides. More…
Two suits challenge copyright law under US-Colombia FTA
Colombia Reports, 06 June, 2012
The Constitutional Court will hear two suits challenging the new copyright law under Colombia’s free trade agreement with the United States, local media reported Tuesday. More…
Mongolia, Japan launch Economic Partnership Agreement talks
China Daily, 04 June, 2012
Mongolia and Japan launched the first round of negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on Monday. More…
Central America and the EU – An asymmetric agreement
Inter Press Service, Guatemala City, 04 June 2012
The poverty-stricken countries of Central America will face major challenges when the Association Agreement to be signed in late June with the European Union, including commitments on trade, political dialogue and cooperation, comes into effect. More…
Malaysia-Bangladesh FTA on the cards
Business Times, Malaysia, 04 June, 2012
Malaysia and Bangladesh are expected to commence negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in the near future, said Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia, A.K.M. Atiqur Rahman. More…
Provinces join forces to keep EU free-trade deal from upping drug costs
Globe and Mail, Toronto, 03 June, 2012
The provincial premiers have undertaken a letter-writing campaign to demand compensation from the federal government for any increase in drug costs that might results from a free-trade agreement with Europe. More…
EU ministers approve free trade deal with Colombia & Peru
Bernama , 01 June, 2012
European Union trade ministers Thursday approved the signing and provisional application of a multipartite free trade agreement with Colombia and Peru. More…