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FIDH report on the effects on human rights of the NAFTA
18-May-2006     FIDH
The International Federation for Human Rights has published the report of a fact-finding mission on the effects on human rights of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The mission, conducted in Mexico between 22 and 31 of August 2005, looked specifically at the effects of NAFTA, ten years after its entering into force, on employment and working conditions in the Northern part of the country, in particular in the maquilas and in the informal economy.
Protester killed during Colombia protests
17-May-2006     The Guardian
Farmers and members of indigenous tribes clashed on Tuesday with police during protests against a free-trade agreement with the US and the re-election of President Alvaro Uribe, and protest leaders said an Indian farmer was killed.
EU-Asia trade pact in prospect
17-May-2006     FT
The European Union is likely to decide by the end of the year whether to launch talks on a comprehensive trade agreement with south-east Asia, its first in Asia. The EU move is seen as a response to a widening web of bilateral deals being negotiated in the region by the US, China, Japan and Korea that threaten to sideline European economic interests.
Bush trade strategy backfires as chances of global pact recede
17-May-2006     Bloomberg
President George W Bush's strategy of using individual accords as stepping stones to a unified, global system of trade may be backfiring.
Thailand-Japan FTA off until 2007
17-May-2006     Bangkok Post
Thailand's Permanent Secretary for Commerce Karun Kittisataporn said the Thai-Japanese FTA will be signed only after the new Thai government takes office. This almost certainly means next year, as the new general election is likely to be put off until later this year.
White House axes free trade talks with Ecuador
17-May-2006     CNN
The Bush administration announced Tuesday it has broken off negotiations on a free trade agreement with Ecuador after that government's decision to annul an operating contract with Occidental Petroleum Corp.
Vulnerable stakeholders have to be protected
17-May-2006     Financial Express
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's letter to the PM on the possible downside of the India-Asean FTA has sparked off a debate. How far should India accommodate Asean's interests?
Ecuador sends military to seized oil facilities
17-May-2006     Globe and Mail
Ecuadorean President Alfredo Palacio sent troops to guard oil facilities seized from Occidental Petroleum Corp. as they are transferred to state control, officials said Tuesday.
Rwanda: Lift trade barriers first, Kagame urges Africa
16-May-2006     ANDnetwork
President Kagame, who was officially opening the 21st Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Council of Ministers meeting at Hotel Intercontinental, said that while Africa is keenly negotiating for a fairer international trade system, it had done little to open up its markets with conducive investment climates and policies.
Asean signs FTA with South Korea after Thailand opts out
16-May-2006     The Nation
South Korea signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday but founding member Thailand was left out due to internal disagreements and objections to Seoul's barriers on farm products.