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Taiwan willing to sign free trade agreement with SD
27-Feb-2007     Swazi Observer
Taiwanese Ambassador Leonard Chao has pledged his country's willingness to sign a free trade agreement with Swaziland.
UNICE strategy on an EU approach to free trade agreements
27-Feb-2007     Business Europe
Past EU bilateral and regional agreements have been strongly influenced by political concerns. The new generation of FTAs must be based on economic criteria: where the EU's current and future markets lie.
Toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific
27-Feb-2007     Peterson Institute
At their latest annual summit in Vietnam in November 2006, the leaders of the 21 members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum agreed to “seriously consider” negotiating a Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP).
No renegotiation on Thai-Japan trade deal
27-Feb-2007     The Nation
Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram told a powerful Japanese business association on Monday that Thailand would not renegotiate on any issues in the controversial economic agreement with Japan.
Costa Ricans protest free-trade pact
27-Feb-2007     Seattle Post Intelligencer
Tens of thousands of union members, farmers and political activists marched through Costa Rica's capital on Monday to protest a free-trade pact with the US they say will be harmful to local businesses.
Mexico: Staple foods at risk from free market
27-Feb-2007     IPS
When the Mexican government negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in force since 1994, it estimated that 14 years of safeguards for its maize and beans would be enough time for local production of these crops to become competitive. But things did not work out that way.
Beware the northeastern free trade dream called Atlantica
26-Feb-2007     NUPGE
The Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees (PEIUPSE/NUPGE) is joining other Atlantic public sector unions in sounding the warning about Atlantica, a free trade scheme proposed for Eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
Thailand-Japan pact could damage auto-parts industry
26-Feb-2007     Bangkok Post
A free trade agreement between Japan and Thailand could damage the attractiveness of the kingdom as an investment destination for high-technology auto-parts manufacturers from Japan with the introduction of a zero import-tariff rate, according to the Thai Auto-parts Manufacturers Association (Tapma).
US Alliance a distinct liability for Australia
26-Feb-2007     Online Opinion
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade report estimated that the benefits to Australia from the US FTA would be $ 9.9 billion over 20 years. That would amount to a mere $26.05 per person per year. Common sense suggests that it would be ridiculous to bargain away Australia's sovereignty for such a “benefit”.
Gulf states must open markets, EU's Mandelson says
26-Feb-2007     Bloomberg
The EU has agreed to reduce import tariffs on aluminum and petrochemicals from the Gulf to zero in an attempt to conclude their FTA negotiations. In return, the EU wants the limit on foreigners owning majority stakes in Gulf companies ended.