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Canada’s free-trade agenda: What’s the hold-up?
30-Jun-2014     Canadian Press
The Harper government’s vaunted free trade agenda is either a roaring success or hopelessly stalled — and given that government officials aren’t commenting, even experts in the field are having trouble deciding which.
South Korea’s rice farmers prepare for rough ride from free trade
30-Jun-2014     FT
Korean Peasant League wants the government to negotiate an extension to the rice quota arrangement – as the Philippines did earlier this month. But experts at the agriculture ministry’s public consultations have suggested an alternative option: opening the market while increasing import tariffs from the current 5 per cent to levels as high as 300-500 per cent.
EU and US insurers support including financial services market access and regulatory cooperation in TTIP
30-Jun-2014     AIA
Insurance Europe, the American Insurance Association and the American Council of Life Insurers have issued a statement supporting the inclusion of market access and regulatory cooperation in financial services in TTIP.
What does copyright have to do with "free trade"? Unpicking the undemocratic TTIP
30-Jun-2014     EFF
Reports are that TTIP may focus less on copyright and IP enforcement issues compared with TPP, and more on other legal regimes that are commonly lumped into the "intellectual property" catch-all, such as trade secrets.
Madagascar back in the US trade fold
27-Jun-2014     IRIN
As anticipated, the US government has reinstated preferential trade status for Madagascar on its 54th independence day anniversary, providing hope for the country’s embattled economy.
Ukraine signs trade agreement with EU, draws Russian threat
27-Jun-2014     Reuters
Ukraine signed on Friday an historic free-trade agreement with the European Union that has been at the heart of months of violence and upheaval in the country, drawing an immediate threat of "grave consequences" from Russia.
EU clears next round of Japan trade talks
27-Jun-2014     AFP
The European Commission said today talks on a massive free trade agreement with Japan will resume next week in Tokyo after a review judged sufficient progress had been made so far.
US company is seeking extension of FTA clause
27-Jun-2014     Gulf Daily News
West Point Home, a leading textile manufacturer in the US, is using the offices of American Chamber of Commerce Bahrain to advocate extension of the tariff preference level of the free trade agreement between the US and Bahrain.
Central America fears textile losses of $6bn to TPP
27-Jun-2014     Just Style
Central America is increasingly nervous about Vietnam's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks, with some experts claiming its inclusion could bring losses of around $6bn to its bread-winning textiles and apparel sector.
Peru, Morocco to hold FTA talks next year
27-Jun-2014     Agencia Andina
Governments of Peru and Morocco are expected to start negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) in the first quarter of next year, announced Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Salaheddine Mezouar.