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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

Doha Round faces collapse as talks are suspended
2-May-2006     AllAfrica.com
Most trade experts believe that if a tentative deal cannot be agreed in the next few months, there will not be time to complete the details and gain approval in the US. If this happens, it would be the first time that the world trade talks have stalled, and may lead to a world which is increasingly divided into protectionist trade blocs.
Opening up to worries
13-Apr-2006     Sun2Surf
An interview with Chee Yoke Ling of Third World Network on globalisation, WTO and FTAs
Pitfalls aplenty on the fast track to trade
11-Apr-2006     New Straits Times
The distorting aspects of bilateral free trade agreements can be avoided by adopting a multilateral approach, argues Mohamed Ariff.
USTR 2006 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
7-Apr-2006     USTR
USTR has recently released its latest annual country-by-country assessment of barriers to US trade around the world, Washington's basis for unilateral trade sanctions.
Reasons to worry about bilateral trade pacts
6-Apr-2006     The Nation
An examination of the globalised approach by both EU countries and the US to bilateral FTAs shows that acceleration has occurred as the WTO has lost its effect. While it is easy to rationalise that the global north is acting independently because the WTO is failing, it is more fun to speculate that the global north is acting to stall the WTO since they get much better terms on a one-to-one basis in their agreements with developing countries.
US 'always in the driving seat in FTA talks'
3-Apr-2006     The Nation
The economic strength of the United States makes it "virtually impossible" for developing nations to negotiate a fair bilateral free-trade agreement, according to Argentina's new ambassador to Thailand.
Free trade pacts are bad for business
25-Mar-2006     Forbes
The WTO on March 22 issued a report criticizing the US pursuit of free trade agreements. The report claims that US free trade agreements create political interests in other countries, which complicate the multilateral process.
US will seek fast renewal of trade authority: Portman
23-Mar-2006     Reuters
The top US trade official said on Wednesday he would push for quick renewal of trade promotion authority, which allows the White House to negotiate agreements that Congress must approve or reject but cannot change.
US seeks trade insurance with bilateral pacts
22-Mar-2006     FT
It's always wise to have a Plan B. As the US urges progress in the “Doha round” of trade talks, it is also chasing bilateral trade deals across east Asia.
Penn serves notice on would-be trade agreement participants
17-Mar-2006     Delta Farm Press
Notice from USDA to countries that aren't too well heeled but would like to try to negotiate a new free trade agreement with the United States: Don't bother.