bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

All articles

New free trade zone to benefit China
8-Feb-2010 Xinhua
If they dominate the 1.9 billion-population China-ASEAN FTA, Chinese companies could build a platform from which to attack European and North American markets.
Malaysia may be keen to take part in regional trade pact
8-Feb-2010 Business Times
Malaysia is not attending the TPP’s first meeting in Australia next month.
Kenya may break ranks with EAC on trade deal with EU
8-Feb-2010 Business Daily
Kenya is considering breaking ranks with its East Africa partners and sign a framework on new economic trade pacts with Europe, citing its disadvantaged position should it fail to do so.
Monty Python & FTA Holy Grail
8-Feb-2010 Scoop
New Zealand journalist Gordon Campbell on why free trade with the US is more Monty Python than Holy Grail
S. Korea, U.S. biz leaders urge for early ratification of Korea-U.S. FTA
7-Feb-2010
A major South Korean business lobby said Sunday it has convened a meeting in Los Angeles with U.S. business leaders to push for the prompt ratification of a Seoul-Washington free trade deal.
Le pain suisse menacé de disparition
7-Feb-2010 24 Heures
Si la Suisse signe les accords de libre-échange agricole avec l’Union européenne, les cultures de céréales panifiables pourraient disparaître du pays en quatre ans. En 2016, il ne serait donc théoriquement plus possible de manger du pain à base de farine suisse.
Ecuador: Oxy’s demands for compensation unfounded
6-Feb-2010 EFE
The Ecuadorian government said Occidental Petroleum deserves no compensation for the cancellation of its massive oil concession in the Amazon region, arguing that the decision was taken after the U.S. company broke the law and its contractual obligations by handing over a stake in that project to a Canadian firm.
Buy American deal paves way for EU trade pact
6-Feb-2010 Globe and Mail
A Canada-US deal on ’Buy American’ trade restrictions opens the door for more sweeping liberalization of provincial and territorial procurement policies, including momentum for a proposed trade deal with the European Union. Union and anti-free-trade groups have slammed the deal.
EU criticises EAC over pact
5-Feb-2010 The Citizen
The European Union has accused East Africa Community partner states of flouting World Trade Organisation rules by refusing to sign a framework Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU.
India reluctant to relent on greater market access to EU
5-Feb-2010 Live Mint
Talks on a free trade agreement between the European Union and India are stuck on the issue of additional market access after the eighth round of negotiations in New Delhi late last month.
US pork wants market access back in China and Russia
5-Feb-2010 AgriNews
The National Pork Producers Council is focusing most of its trade agreement lobbying efforts on re-establishing markets in China and Russia, says the council’s Nick Giordano.
Ma wants FTA with Japan
5-Feb-2010 Straits Times
Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday expressed his wish to strike a free trade agreement with Japan
India free trade deal could mean big things for NZ agriculture
5-Feb-2010 NZ Herald
"You’re talking about a billion people that we largely don’t export anything to now," Meat and Wool New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen said
EU “pushing” India over generics in “secret” trade talks
4-Feb-2010 Pharma Times
The eighth round of the FTA talks which took place in Mumbai last week have been strongly criticised in India for their secrecy and lack of consultation with the national parliament and state governments.
Spain expects pact with Syria during EU presidency
4-Feb-2010 Reuters
European Union president Spain expects the EU to sign by June a major economic deal with Syria that has been on ice for the last five years, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said on Wednesday.
Big business demands accountability on EU 2020
4-Feb-2010 EurActiv
Frustrated by the failure of the Lisbon Agenda, big business has stepped in to force Brussels and governments across Europe to deliver on political promises designed to improve Europe’s competitiveness in the face of mounting challenges from climate change, an ageing population and Asian rivals.
Message to President Obama: Why trade will not save rural America
4-Feb-2010 Civil Eats
Obama’s emphasis on export markets is odd given that it runs directly counter to a lot of the Administration’s work to support local food systems.
China postpones free trade talks with Taiwan
4-Feb-2010 Reuters
China has postponed a second round of free trade talks with Taiwan until after the Lunar New Year holiday and the Taiwanese side downplayed any political reason for the delay.
Colombia’s human rights violations could stop FTA: HRW
4-Feb-2010 Colombia Reports
Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on Wednesday that Colombia’s human rights record could prevent the passage of the long-awaited U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.
Obama export plan includes trade deals - Geithner
4-Feb-2010 Reuters
President Barack Obama’s plan to double US exports over five years includes passing free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea that have been delayed for years, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday.