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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

US trade freeze could be slowly thawing
21-Jun-2009     Reuters
After months of little US action on trade, there are signs the issue could become more important for President Barack Obama
US should consider trade pact with EU: manufacturers
13-Jun-2009     Political Blog
A proposed trade deal between Canada and the European Union puts pressure on the United States to begin thinking about its own trade pact with Europe, U.S. manufacturers said Tuesday.
United States reviews its model bilateral investment treaty
8-Jun-2009     ITN
The United States has embarked on a review of its model bilateral investment treaty (BIT). Last updated in 2004, the US closely adheres to the model in its BIT negotiations with other countries.
EU targets free trade deals under Swedish presidency
6-Jun-2009     Tax-News
The first trade priority for the upcoming Swedish presidency of the European Union is to close the free trade agreement with South Korea
US Trade Rep promises transparency... but actions speak louder than websites
5-Jun-2009     TechDirt
The US Trade Representative has finally finished the long overdue task of relaunching its website.
Trade diplomat taps his deal-making past
31-May-2009     NY Times
Ron Kirk, the new US Trade Representative, said that he did not have “deal fever,” indicating no rush to slam together new trade pacts even if the local politician in him hates for issues with solutions to drag on.
US eyes Asia trade vistas after Panama, Doha: Kirk
20-May-2009     Reuters
The Obama administration wants to explore new trade vistas in the Asia-Pacific region once it has dealt with challenges it inherited, including a deal with Panama and a global trade pact, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said on Monday.
Lawmaker moves to delay free-trade pacts
23-Apr-2009     WSJ
A Democratic senator from Ohio is moving to further tie up pending US free-trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea, setting up a potential clash between President Barack Obama and some members of his party.
US needs new trade policy, but won't retreat: Kirk
21-Mar-2009    
he United States will not retreat from the global marketplace but must address the concerns of American workers who believe that trade hurts them, President Barack Obama's chief trade negotiator said at his swearing in ceremony on Friday.
Will The SPP Rise Again?
17-Mar-2009     Border Fire Report
The global elite have not abandoned their vision for a North American Union and the SPP will rise again in one form or another.