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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

Analysis: China beats West in Africa
2-Feb-2008     UPI
By offering itself to former colonies as a more attractive and respectful trading partner, China initiated Africa's refusal to put up with the EU's demanding policies.
White House planning 'relentless' campaign for FTAs: trade official
9-Jan-2008     Yonhap
The White House is planning a "relentless" campaign this year to push Congress to approve pending free trade agreements with South Korea and Latin American nations
Talks show China key player on world stage
4-Jan-2008     China Daily
Rcent bilateral talks with the major economies -- US, Japan and EU -- is solid proof of China's emergence as a key player in the global economy.
China outwits the EU in Africa
13-Dec-2007     Asia Times
During the past several years, an increasing number of differences have arisen in the strategic partnership forged between China and the European Union. Among the many critical issues clouding the mutual agenda are differing policy approaches towards Africa.
International trade tribunals seen trumping state laws
3-Dec-2007     Boston Globe
States around the US are growing increasingly worried about the threats posed to their laws and regulations by the secret tribunals that resolve disputes in international trade. "Free trade agreements are to state sovereignty and economic development what global climate change is to the environment and natural resources," said state Sen. Virginia Lyons, D-Chittenden.
US labor activists petition to stop free trade push
28-Nov-2007     OneWorld US
Labor rights activists in the United States are trying to organize a nationwide campaign to push Congress to oppose the Bush administration's plans to promote new free trade agreements.
Teamsters challenge Bush on free trade arguments: Hoffa responds to Bush
12-Oct-2007     PR Newswire
"When President Bush says the economy benefits from trade deals, he must mean the part of the economy he cares about -- the top one percent," Teamsters President Jim Hoffa said. "It's not competition we're afraid of, but the global capitalists who rig the system against the American worker."
Republicans grow skeptical on free trade
5-Oct-2007     WSJ
By a nearly two-to-one margin, US Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the US economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president.
Senator says US needs "new vision" for trade
3-Oct-2007     Reuters
Washington needs to "think bigger" than it has in the past few years and look at possible trade deals with countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia, India and Japan, US Senate Democrat Max Baucus said.
Negroponte fears that Chávez would win if FTA fails at US Congress
19-Sep-2007     El Universal
US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte warned Tuesday that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez would win and Latin American democracies would lose if the US Congress does not pass the Free Trade Agreements with Peru, Panama and "especially with Colombia."