Bilateral & Regional Trade

Sacu-US to pursue scaled-back trade talks after FTA process ceases

20 November, 2006
Engineering News
The South African Customs Unions (Sacu) has formally accepted an offer made by the US government to progress a so-called trade and investment cooperation agreement (Tica), following the breakdown of the more ambitious free-trade agreement (FTA) talks earlier in the year.

South Korean police brace for mass protests against US free trade deal

19 November, 2006
AFP
South Korean police said Tuesday they are bracing for mass protests across the country against a proposed free trade agreement with the United States.

South African govt official on FTA w/ US

16 November, 2006
Washington Trade Daily
Talks between South Africa and the US on a free trade agreement hit a snag as US demands for complete access to South African markets were unacceptable, trade and industry director-general Tshediso Matona said

Japan, RP pact biased towards, Japanese Exports

14 November, 2006
IBON Foundation
The promised benefits to Philippine exports of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) may not materialize because the pact is biased towards Japanese imports, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

Democrats pledge joint stance on global trade

8 November, 2006
By Alan Beattie and Eoin Callan, Financial Times
As if to pre-empt the warnings that more Democrats meant more protectionism, newly powerful Democratic lawmakers were straight out of the traps yesterday promising bipartisan co-operation on international trade.

US, Japan may use ASEAN to railroad bilateral trade pacts

8 November, 2006
IBON Foundation
The US and Japan may use the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to negotiate and hasten onerous free trade agreements (FTAs) with member-countries to further consolidate transnational corporate dominance over local economies, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

Women ‘most vulnerable’ under US-M’sia FTA

29 October, 2006
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz, MALAYSIAKINI
Women will be the worst affected by the US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said activists who co-organised a protest against the ongoing talks in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Protest Against 3rd Round of US-Malaysia FTA talks

29 October, 2006
News from Malaysiakini
Some 300 activists today held a noisy protest calling for the suspension of free-trade agreement (FTA) talks with the United States, Malaysia's major trading partner.

Leading Ministers of ACP states criticize EPA process, content

26 October, 2006
By Martin Khor,, TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues
Leading Trade Ministers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states have strongly criticised the lack of development content of the Economic Partnership Agreements that they are negotiating with the European Union Commission.

Leading Ministers of ACP states criticize EPA process, content

26 October, 2006
By Martin Khor, TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Oct06/13)
Leading Trade Ministers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of states have strongly criticised the lack of development content of the Economic Partnership Agreements that they are negotiating with the European Union Commission.

Multiple problems in EPAs highlighted at workshop

26 October, 2006
By Martin Khor, TWN Info Serice on WTO and Trade Issues (Oct06/14)
The absence of development content and the severe effects of rapid trade liberalization were among key problems highlighted by policymakers and NGO participants at a workshop held here on the Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group.

Multiple problems in EPAs highlighted at workshop

26 October, 2006
By Martin Khor, TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues
The absence of development content and the severe effects of rapid trade liberalization were among key problems highlighted by policymakers and NGO participants at a workshop held here on the Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group.

Workers urge Senate and Congress to junk the All-Trade Pact Toxic waste provisions prove again that JPEPA is disadvantageous for Filipinos

24 October, 2006
KMU
Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today issued strong opposition to the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) approved between the RP and Japan governments.

Anti-free trade alliance plans mass protest during US-Malaysia trade talks at end-Oct

18 October, 2006
AP
Malaysian activists Thursday announced a mass a protest during U.S.-Malaysia talks later this month on a free trade pact, saying such an agreement could jeopardize jobs and deprive poor people of cheap, generic drugs.

UK urges Brussels to relent over new trade rules for poor nations

15 October, 2006
By Alan Beattie, FT
Poor countries must not be forced into opening markets or obliged to accept new rules governing foreign investment and competition law, the UK has told the European Commission.

India, EU Work Toward Trade Pact - Bid for Agreement by 2009 Underlines Bilateral Focus In Wake of Doha Collapse

12 October, 2006
By John W. Miller
The European Union and India stepped up free-trade negotiations that could one day link two of the world's biggest markets. Both sides said they hope to complete a deal by early 2009.

Overview of bilateral free trade and investment agreements

12 October, 2006
FTA Watch
This 22-page document gives a general overview of free trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs) that have been signed or are being negotiated all over the world.

Small Nations' Doubts About EU Get Bigger

11 October, 2006
Peter Dhondt, IPS
BRUSSELS, Oct 12 (IPS) - A proposal by Senegalese Trade Minister Mamadou Diop to postpone the 2008 deadline for signing trade agreements with the European Union found much support at a meeting here Thursday.

Japan-RP economic pact brings dubious gain

10 October, 2006
By Sonny Africa, IBON Features
The agreement is biased towards the more powerful Japanese economic interests, so how can JPEPA be positive for the Philippines in terms of trade and investment?

New EU trade strategy severely criticised

5 October, 2006
by Cillian Donnelly, EU Reporter
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is