ISDS Case Map
US
A free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States is a much desired policy aim in Taiwan. It would increase Taiwan's trade and bind the island more closely to the U.S., Taiwan's most important ally -- even if formal links are lacking. But what is in it for Americans? This, after all, is what will carry weight with Washington.
We've all been witness to the Bush administration's half-truths. Now, it's the same old song and dance with the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS-FTA) talks that are taking place in Seattle this week. While the administration boisterously makes claims about the wonders of free-trade agreements, the real story behind the rhetoric is: undemocratic, unfair and unconscionable.
Republican leaders in the US House of Representatives will likely delay a vote on a free trade pact with Peru until after the November 7 congressional election, US trade experts said on Wednesday.
During the third round of FTA negotiations between Korea and the US that started on September 6, the US required that trade related laws including fair trade laws should be strictly applied to the Korean companies including large conglomerates (known as Chae-bol) and this be clearly stated in an FTA agreement.
The United States was confirmed to have asked South Korea to include regulations on conglomerates in their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
Shifting world dynamics mean that a proposed overhaul of the US tariff preference system threatening to exclude Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela -- the three main countries currently driving trade within Latin America -- needs to be examined in a global context.
The US wants Korea to open 11 service sectors including broadcasting and telecommunications, home delivery, legal and accounting services. In a third round of bilateral free-trade negotiations, the service sector is tipped to be the main stumbling block since Seoul has a mind to give in to few US demands except letting some US law firms operate here and some others.
A Colombian scientist in forensics and populations is in the country to undertake an ample training program in advanced molecular biology techniques with a view to creating human resources capable of genetically categorizing the various agriculture crops destined for export in light of the DR-CAFTA trade accord soon to be implemented.
Mention "Seattle" and "trade talks" in the same sentence and you'll send a chill through residents who remember December 1999, when destructive riots broke out during the World Trade Organization meeting.
South Korea and the United States will launch the third round of free trade negotiations in Seattle beginning September 6. Unlike the first and second rounds, both are expected to draw up detailed measures on market opening.
