What was once a possibility has become a reality, as Seoul carries over one of the most burdensome agendas from its former President Roh Moo-hyun's administration. Now facing more uphill conditions, prospects for the deadlocked Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) look even dimmer, experts say.
Sugar sector players have finally agreed on a raft of radical proposals aimed at boosting the competitiveness of the ailing industry ahead of full liberalisation in 2012.
Central to many of the contentious planks that remain (especially 4-9) is the observation of Timothy Kondo (Alternatives to Neo-liberalism in Southern Africa) that the draft EPA, which formed the basis of negotiations for his region was prepared by the EU, (Third World Economics, October 1-15, 2007). This observation was reiterated more generally by Marc Maes: "The texts that the Commission has tabled have reflected the Commission's approach to global trade. They do not reflect the interests and needs of ACP countries." (ibid, p12)
Barack Obama accused Democratic presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday of trying to walk away from a long record of support for NAFTA, the free trade agreement that he said has cost 50,000 jobs in Ohio, site of next week's primary.
A proposed free-trade agreement with Korea has cleared an early hurdle, a joint study concluding that it would bring substantial benefits to both countries.
The possibility that Dominican Republic and Haiti could sign a free trade agreement as early as next year is being met with approval by commercial, governmental and industrial sectors, as well as economists and poultry producers, newspaper El Caribe said Sunday.
Made-in-Korea products are increasingly losing ground in the American market.
In contrast, market shares of seven other countries including Mexico, whose free trade agreements with the U.S. came into force, are rising steadily.
Barbados' Prime Minister has expressed reservations about the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) which CARICOM will sign with Europe in April, and he says he's given instructions for his government to review the deal.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is keen to relaunch stalled talks for a bilateral free trade deal with South Korea as soon as possible, Jiji Press reported Friday.
The United States and India are discussing whether to negotiate a bilateral investment agreement as part of ongoing efforts to expand and deepen economic ties, a US official said on Friday.
Schisms have begun to show in the united front CARIFORUM leaders showed after signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Europe before the December 31 deadline last year.
The Caribbean Banana Exporters' Association (CBEA) is expressing grave concern that the European Union (EU) might bow to pressure from Latin American banana producing countries and reduce its 176 euros per tonne tariff for bananas from that region.
