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‘East Asia trade bloc would balance NAFTA and EU’
11-Nov-2004 Asia Today
Beijing would like to see the emergence of an East Asian arrangement such as the European Union or the North America Free Trade Arrangement (NAFTA). Such an East Asian grouping would balance the world system, which is slowly being carved into blocs.
The Thai dairy sector under liberalised trade conditions
11-Nov-2004 FTAmonitoring.org
Special report by Rabobank - PDF file
Japan, Thailand edge toward free-trade deal, without rice
11-Nov-2004 Kyodo
Trade negotiators from Japan and Thailand resumed free-trade talks Monday after Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra decided to withdraw rice from the negotiating table.
Free trade talks : Japanese protesters cry fowl
11-Nov-2004 The Nation
Chicken farmers from Japan have descended on Bangkok this week to lobby for the withdrawal of poultry products from free-trade talks, following the success of Japanese farmers in getting Thailand to drop rice.
Singapore Ceca hits a roadblock
10-Nov-2004
The proposed Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (Ceca) between India and Singapore has hit a bump. The Singapore government has made out a strong case for product-specific relaxation of the rules of origin (ROO) criteria for over 480 items.
New Zealand to Release Report on China Free-Trade Agreement
10-Nov-2004
New Zealand and China will announce the results of a feasibility study into a free-trade agreement later this month, New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry said.
Free trade pact eyed to aid firms in Chile
10-Nov-2004
Japan is considering a free trade agreement with Chile out of concern the Latin American country’s FTA agreements with other nations may put Japanese companies in the area at a disadvantage.
PM calls for more public participation in FTA deals
10-Nov-2004 MCOT News
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today reiterated the importance of Thailand forging bilateral economic relations, while pledging to ensure greater public involvement in international trade liberalization deals.
From fumigation to “free trade”: US-Andean FTA chokes along
10-Nov-2004 Americas Program
The USTR’s promises of increased foreign investment and market access are unlikely to materialize for the Andean countries, given the playing field at the moment.
Bush on top means continuity in South Africa-US relations
10-Nov-2004
America will continue to enter into bilaterals with states it views strategically.
Needed: A US-India FTA
9-Nov-2004 Rediff.com
A comprehensive FTA with India would be of strategic importance to the US in its current policy of competitive liberalisation.
Dominican tax risks trade pact
8-Nov-2004
The Bush administration is working to strip the Dominican Republic out of a wider free trade pact if the Caribbean nation does not repeal a recently implemented tax on soft drinks that affects U.S. exporters.
ASEAN-Korea free trade talks set to start
8-Nov-2004
Negotiations on the proposed ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) is expected to commence next year as ASEAN and Korean leaders are seen to favorably endorse the recommendations at the forthcoming ASEAN-Korea Summit this month.
Copyright inquiry could save FTA
8-Nov-2004
An inquiry into computer and television piracy could break the impasse threatening to delay the start of the free trade deal with the US.
Taiwan: FTA push moves into high gear
8-Nov-2004 Taipei Times
Taiwan is struggling to find ways of making free trade agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners, even as China and ASEAN are set to sign two landmark agreements this month establishing the world’s largest Free Trade Area, which is scheduled to come into being by 2010.
No carrots, all stick
8-Nov-2004 Mother Jones
The tentative agreement reached between the EU and Iran yesterday on uranimum enrichment hinges on an EU pledge to resume suspended negotiations on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement [read: FTA] between Iran and the EU.
Pakistan keen for FTA with Bangladesh: Shaukat Aziz
7-Nov-2004
Pakistan is keen to enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh to foster bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Thursday.
Bosnia Ready For FTA With Kosovo
7-Nov-2004
The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed readiness to start the negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Kosova, UNMIK officials said in press conference.
Indonesia stays committed to FTA with Japan
7-Nov-2004 Japan Times
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his commitment Saturday to continue talks for an economic partnership with Japan, the head of a visiting delegation of Japanese business leaders said.
Japan, Malaysia end free-trade talks without agreement
6-Nov-2004 AFP
Japan and Malaysia ended three days of talks on a free-trade agreement (FTA) on Saturday still divided over removing import duties on certain products such as Japanese cars, a news report said.