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Human rights report on Colombia panned as ’whitewash’
17-May-2012
Canada’s free trade deal with Colombia is again threatening to explode into controversy after the Conservative government released a report this week that was supposed to detail the agreement’s impact on Colombia’s human rights situation — but didn’t.
Colombia-US: Trade deal "Throws country into jaws of multinationals," critics say
17-May-2012
The entry into force of Colombia’s free trade agreement with the United States was met by student protests and opposition from a segment of the business community, small farmers, and trade unionists.
Taiwan should join trade pact: Ma
17-May-2012
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said the trilateral negotiations on free-trade agreements (FTA) between China, South Korea and Japan has put great pressure on Taiwan, and that he expects the nation to join the potential new free-trade zone in Northeast Asia.
BIT of no use if FTA between Pakistan, US not signed
17-May-2012
The signing of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will not bear fruit without signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and United States of America (USA).
U.S. and Canada Implementing Beyond the Border Perimeter Security Initiatives
15-May-2012 Be Your Own Leader
Through the Beyond the Border agreement released in December 2011, the U.S. and Canada are implementing initiatives that are working towards establishing a North American security perimeter.
Public interest groups issue strong critique of new US model bilateral investment treaty
15-May-2012
Representatives of public interest organizations have released a strong critique of the Obama administration’s new model bilateral investment treaty (BIT).
EPA Will Thwart Africa’s Industrialisation Efforts
14-May-2012
The Economic Justice Network (EJN), a coalition of Ghanaian civil society organisations fighting for economic justice, has cautioned African countries involved in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) not to succumb to the pressure from European Union (EU) to sign the agreement as it has the potential of disintegrating African economies.
EU, CARIFORUM officials holding talks
14-May-2012
A dialogue between European Union (EU) and Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries began in Dominica on Friday with Europe indicating that in the not too far distance, a new strategy outlining greater cooperation between the two regions could be finalised.
Mukaruliza Warns Against Rushed EPAs
14-May-2012
Regional countries should not rush to seal the EAC-EU trade deals, known as the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), a cabinet minister has said.
S. Korea’s reluctance clouds FTA / Domestic resistance throws prospects for trilateral trade pact into doubt
14-May-2012
Despite an agreement to launch talks on a three-way free trade agreement this year, Japan, China and South Korea have different priorities, leaving the prospects for their trilateral trade initiative unclear.
Pacific region urges EC engagement for EPA progress
14-May-2012
The Pacific bloc of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping has urged the European Commission (EC) to officially respond to its proposals on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).
Brazil targets Argentina with trade licenses
14-May-2012
Brazil on Monday escalated a growing trade fight with Argentina by increasing the bureaucratic obstacles for importing about 10 perishable products including apples, raisins, and potatoes, a senior Brazilian government official told Reuters.
Domestic manufacturers concerned over reduction in tariffs
14-May-2012
Domestic manufacturers are having nightmares as the tariffs of imported finished goods from South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) member countries would come down to five percent from the next fiscal year, while the duties on raw materials used to produce same products remain much higher, an official said on Saturday.
E. Asian powers’ 3-way FTA talks to have twists and turns
14-May-2012
The leaders of Japan, China and South Korea announced Sunday that the countries will launch negotiations for a trilateral free trade agreement by the end of this year. But the prospects are far from rosy.
FTA with China is on track, says Carr
14-May-2012
Foreign Minister Bob Carr wants to "broaden and deepen" Australia’s relationship with China in the face of growing international competition.
EU grants Cameroon banana sector 48 mln euros-radio
12-May-2012 Reuters
The money, granted in the context of Cameroon having signed an interim EPA with the EU, will be shared out to "major producing firms with plans to boost output".
Guyana’s Parliament ratifies EU’s EPA
12-May-2012 INews Guyana
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs minister Caroly Rodriques-Birkette stressed that the first review of the EPA is set for next year and the ratification will allow for the assessment of cost impact.
Our Sister’s Garden and the KORUS FTA
12-May-2012 Hankyoreh
"We lose two trillion won every year because we are importing that amount of agricultural products from other countries, in this case, the United States. That means, ten percent of the population—300,000 peasants—will be forced out of their businesses every year. That means the end to our agricultural base. So, the FTA is a system for the one percent of the people."
EU access to government contracts won’t hurt Bumis, says envoy
12-May-2012 Malaysian Insider
The European Union’s demand for access to government procurement in its free trade agreement with Malaysia need not harm the 40-year-old policy of affirmative action for Bumiputeras, insists its envoy in KL.
La Ville de Québec doit se prémunir contre l’AÉCG
11-May-2012 Tribune libre
À l’instar de Burnaby, Saskatoon, Kingston, Toronto, Montréal et Baie-Comeau, il est impératif que Québec adopte une résolution demandant une exemption complète de cet accord bilatéral.