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Across the board

This section contains news and analysis of sweeping developments that affect the overall push and pull towards FTAs and bilateral investment treaties. This means major trends relating to bilateralism, often with global consequences, and other cross-cutting issues. New developments arising from US politics, the WTO or South-South alliance-building, for instance, are often reported here as they tend to have systemic impacts.

last update: May 2012

China's investments prompt call for new rules
8-Jan-2013     WSJ
The US is trying to use negotiations over a Pacific free-trade pact, called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, to formulate rules governing the behavior of state-owned concerns. China isn't a party to the talks, but the US hopes Beijing would ultimately agree to whatever limitations the pact imposes on state-owned companies, reports the Wall Street Journal
Top trade official sees US seeking more multilateral deals
11-Dec-2012     WSJ
The administration’s top trade official signaled Tuesday that the U.S. intends to pursue deals with coalitions of countries rather seek out the type of one-on-one agreements that were the among the hallmark achievements of President Barack Obama‘s first term.
Anniversary of the Seattle WTO protests
3-Dec-2012     Swans Commentary
Today I noticed an article about an "American" company that is suing Canada for an alleged World Trade Organization (WTO) violation.
Key Republican wants Obama to "go big" on trade deals in second term
16-Nov-2012     Reuters
A senior Republican U.S. lawmaker on Friday urged President Barack Obama to "go big" and "go smart" in pursuit of new trade agreements in his second term in office.
Fact Check: Has Obama 'not signed one new free-trade agreement'?
9-Oct-2012     CNN
Mitt Romney stated Monday that US President Barack Obama "has not signed one new free-trade agreement in the past four years." "I'll reverse that failure," the Republican presidential nominee said. But is his assertion true?
Free trade agreements roil global auto manufacturers
8-Aug-2012     PDI
When I was in South Korea for five days last month, I noticed that very few European and American cars were on the road in Seoul and Keosu.
Video documentary: Global crises, regional solutions
1-Aug-2012     TNI
In this video, activists from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe argue that regional integration is the only viable response to the current economic, climate, food and energy crises.
Ford upset EU wants Japan free-trade talks
19-Jul-2012     The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday was the first automaker to voice displeasure after the European Union announced it wants to start free-trade negotiations with Japan.
Analysis: Carmakers dampen EU's free-trade drive
6-Jul-2012     Reuters
There is barely a corner of the world where the negotiators from the European Union - the largest trading bloc - are not trying to deepen trade ties, and talks with 80 countries are under way, from Canada to Cape Verde.
Kirk looks at future of US-EU trade relations
24-May-2012     Tax News
After, earlier this month, the European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht had foreseen the possibility of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and the European Union in 2014, the US Trade Representative Ron Kirk provided his view on US-EU trade policy during a recent speech in London.