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DPJ’s draft manifesto fails to outline Noda’s TPP plans
The Democratic Party of Japan released a draft of its election manifesto that strengthens its anti-nuclear stance but makes little mention of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s push for Japan’s participation in free trade talks.
PM stays coy on US-led trade pact
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will not give a commitment to President Barack Obama today that Thailand will join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement.
Thailand won’t be bound to FTA, says Sek
Thailand’s planned negotiations in the United States-led multilateral free trade agreement (FTA) are just a process of thoroughly studying the pros and cons of the pact, a Foreign Ministry senior official said.
Canada-EU trade talks tee up tough political choices
Trade negotiations next week between Canada and the European Union will reach a point familiar to anyone who’s purchased a new car.
Key Republican wants Obama to "go big" on trade deals in second term
A senior Republican U.S. lawmaker on Friday urged President Barack Obama to "go big" and "go smart" in pursuit of new trade agreements in his second term in office.
World Bank urges Africa to reject EPAs with EU
The World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, Shantayanan Devarajan has added his voice to the call on African countries to reject the Economic Partnership Agreements that the European Union is currently trying to force on them.
MAN wants Economic Partnership Agreement put on hold
The much disparaged European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) got a fresh beating Tuesday in Lagos, as the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) told a gathering of Industry stakeholders, including EU’s Ambassador to Nigeria, David Macrae, that the EPA Road Map should be put on hold and that the entire negotiation process be subjected to a complete review.
BoT expert wary over TPP
Thailand’s negotiations with the US for the opening of the goods and services market under the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) could hamper the Bank of Thailand’s regulations on capital flows and financial services, a central bank economist says.
EPAs: Why we must be cautious
A series of meetings involving senior officials and experts from Southern Africa and the European Union are scheduled before the end of the year as the parties attempt to finalise a full Economic Partnership Agreement.
US firm to launch NAFTA challenge to Quebec fracking ban
A US-incorporated energy firm, Lone Pine Resources Inc., is taking on Quebec’s stand against fracking, saying it violates the North American free-trade agreement and demanding more than $250-million in compensation.
Free trade to open up soon
The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) of which Solomon Islands is a part of, is now ready to implement its Free Trade Agreement between at least three of its four members.
Joint declaration on cooperation between Pakistan, EFTA member states
Senior Minister for Commerce Mr Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim today held a press briefing on "Joint Declaration on Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the EFTA State" here on Thursday in the Ministry of Commerce at Pak Secretariat.
Presidents Humala and Hollande welcome Peru-EU FTA
Peru’s President Ollanta Humala and his French counterpart Francois Hollande welcomed the forthcoming entry into force of the Multiparty Trade Agreement between Peru and the European Union (EU), and emphasized the strengthening of the historic ties between the two nations.
Canada prepares for drug patent concessions to clinch free-trade deal with EU
As free trade talks with the European Union reach the endgame, Ottawa is signalling it is prepared to give the Europeans at least part of what they asked for on drug patents — a move that could cost Canadians up to $900 million a year.
Ag coalition says US-EU FTA must include agriculture
A coalition of US food and agricultural organizations led by the National Pork Producers Council reiterated that any US-EU FTA deal must include agriculture and that the EU must address non-tariff trade barriers.
Open letter to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
Civil society groups urge Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to suspend any announcement to enter into negotiations towards the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) until there has been a comprehensive, clear and thorough study of both positive and negative consequences, and all steps have been taken to comply strictly with the Constitution, including an urgent consultation with the people.
Cargill says Mexico owes it $95 million in NAFTA dispute
US agribusiness company Cargill Inc. filed a suit in a US court on Tuesday to compel Mexico to pay a $94.6 million award over trade barriers the company says Mexico put up against high-fructose corn syrup from 2002 to 2007.
KTB welcomes TPP talks, ties with US
Amid concerns over whether the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will benefit Thailand or not, state-owned Krung Thai Bank (KTB) is looking forward to greater business opportunities with American banks.
Tom Mulcair’s NDP takes ’vigorously pro-trade’ position
Stephen Harper’s Conservatives may have to change the script for their smear campaign against Tom Mulcair, at least when it comes to the NDP leader’s supposed anti-trade "extremism."
Carefully weigh pros and cons of free trade area
Discussion of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be a highlight of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Thailand next week. But the government will have to seriously consider the pros and cons of the TPP, to ensure the regional trade agreement will improve Thailand’s competitiveness and boost our capacity to enter the regional market.