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Korean protests ’bad’ for Aussie beef
12-Jun-2008 The Age
Mass protests in South Korea against US beef are bad news for Australian exporters, costing millions of US dollars in lost sales and jeopardising a crucial free trade deal, the Cattle Council says.
Korea, US to forge additional understandings on beef deal
12-Jun-2008
US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow said Thursday the United States and South Korea will come up with a solution to the ongoing controversy over Seoul’s decision to resume imports of American beef thorough "additional understandings"’ to their deal signed in April. Vershbow, however, ruled out renegotiating the deal, saying it could damage the national interests of the two countries ― including the possible failure to ratify the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Market Access for Trade in Goods & Competition Policy in EPAs
11-Jun-2008
Two Analyses by South Centre on the initialled Interim EPAs and the Caribbean EPA
Oxfam: rethink unfair EU trade deals before it’s too late
11-Jun-2008 Oxfam press release
Oxfam launched a new research paper today at UNCTAD XII in Ghana. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the proposed (I)EPA texts and makes a number of recommendations: to evaluate the deals before they are signed, to provide an alternative for countries that choose not to sign and to renegotiate contentious clauses.
GCC, EFTA to sign FTA by year-end
11-Jun-2008 Arabian Business
A free trade agreement between the GCC and the European Free Trade Association could be signed by the end of 2008, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Massive candlelight protests draw one million nationwide
11-Jun-2008 The Hankyoreh
Up to a million Korean citizens from all walks of life participated in candlelight protests held on the 21st anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising, with a total of 118 candlelight protests held across the country on June 10.
Progressive Dems break with trade consensus, demand a change of course
10-Jun-2008 AlterNet
Rep. Michael Michaud and Sen. Sherrod Brown, both US Democrats, have introduced legislation to put the brakes on US free trade agreements by triggering a review of existing agreements as well as providing a process for renegotiating them.
1 million people vs US beef
10-Jun-2008
On 10 June 2008, Korean social movements resisting the re-opening of their country’s borders to US beef under a bilateral deal signed by the two governments are holding a watershed rally where they aim to get one million people in the streets.
"Korean people vs US beef" video interview
10-Jun-2008
Video interview with Geum Soon Yoon, member of Korean Peasant Woman’s Association, taped on 3 June 2008.
Canadian opposition slams Colombia free trade deal
10-Jun-2008 Reuters
Canadian opposition legislators on Monday strongly criticized Ottawa for agreeing to the terms of a free trade deal with Colombia, suggesting it had only done so because the move would help US President George W. Bush.
Japan vows to ratify free trade accord with ASEAN
10-Jun-2008 Hemscot
Japan’s government vowed Tuesday to ratify a free-trade accord with ASEAN by extending a parliament session hampered by feuding with the opposition.
Singapour/Pérou : signature d’un accord de libre-échange
10-Jun-2008 Xinhua
Singapour et le Pérou ont signé un accord de libre-échange (ALE) pour renforcer les relations bilatérales, a annoncé vendredi le gouvernement singapourien dans un communiqué.
’EU lobby behind delay in FTA deal’
10-Jun-2008 Emirates Business 24/7
The European Union has delayed signing a free trade agreement with the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council countries because of opposition by a powerful lobby within the EU, a Saudi official was quoted as saying yesterday.
FTA puts Australian television content out of focus
10-Jun-2008 The Age
During the FTA negotiations, the US pushed hard for Australia’s local content laws to be removed. When Australia retained them, it was heralded as a victory for Australian culture. The reality is somewhat different. By freezing requirements at current levels, the agreement removes the Australian Government’s ability to determine how best to regulate local content.
Taking action against US beef imports
9-Jun-2008 Hankyoreh
A farmer, 56, who is only identified by his surname, Kim, lies in the hospital after having set himself on fire on June 5, in protest against the US beef import agreement at Seoul City Hall Plaza.
Canada-Peru FTA (2008)
9-Jun-2008
Korean man dies after beef protest
9-Jun-2008 RTE News
A South Korean man, Lee Byong-Ryol, has died in hospital two weeks after setting himself ablaze in protest at a deal to resume US beef imports.
’...Agreement harmful to small producers’
9-Jun-2008 Trinidad & Tobago Express
Calling for a re-negotiation of a new Economic Partnership Agreement, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and Non Governmental Organisations president David Abdulah says aspects of the agreement could prove to be harmful to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
La tormenta perfecta
9-Jun-2008
RI, India to finalize talks on economic cooperation accord in August
9-Jun-2008 Antara
Indonesia and India are expected to finalize talks for conclusion of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement in August