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  1. Negotiations

:: 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

Bush's trade agenda in doubt after Democratic win
9-Nov-2006     Channel News Asia
The Democrats' triumphant return to power in the House of Representatives could spell trouble for US President George W Bush's campaign to dismantle global trade barriers. But analysts said legislative gridlock and a focus on the 2008 presidential race would limit the influence of Democratic isolationists.
The end of so-called "free trade" has arrived
9-Nov-2006     Huffington Post
All across the US, opposition to corporate trade agreements played a role in the economic messages put forth by electoral candidates.
US vote could leave free trade in trouble
1-Nov-2006     AFP
President George W Bush's agenda to tear down global trade barriers appears headed for trouble whoever wins US elections next week, analysts believe.
Kenyan Minister warns against bilateral trade deals
20-Oct-2006    
The Kenyan Trade Minister, Mukhisha Kituyi, today spoke up against the danger of countries running to negotiate bilateral and regional trade deals with the impasse of the Doha negotiations at the World Trade Organisation.
Bush's trade authority renewal: dead on arrival?
19-Oct-2006     Reuters
If Democrats win control of Congress in November elections, the Bush administration is highly unlikely to win renewal of trade negotiating powers that expire in 2007, congressional aides and former lawmakers said on Wednesday.
WTO's Lamy warns about bilateral deals
18-Oct-2006     Houston Chronicle
Poor nations will lose out if major global trade players opt for bilateral deals instead of working toward a global trade pact, WTO director general Pascal Lamy said Tuesday.
Overview of bilateral free trade and investment agreements
13-Oct-2006    
A general overview of free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties that have been signed or are being negotiated all over the world. Organised by region, it provides a snapshot of the many processes currently under way, some of the controversies they raise and opposition movements against these agreements.
Children of the WTO
28-Sep-2006    
World Trade Organization talks collapsed in July 2006 over strong internal disagreements on agricultural policy. While social activists throughout the world cheered, policy-makers in the U.S. and Canada started aggressively pursuing bilateral trade accords or Free Trade Agreements [FTAs].
Global trade no longer hostage to US consumers
28-Sep-2006    
Europe, Japan and emerging economies are weaning themselves from dependence on the American consumer, and economists say it's just in time.
Africa's silk road: China and India's new economic frontier
19-Sep-2006     World Bank
Skyrocketing Asian trade and investment in Africa show the beginning of a change in world trade patterns, according to a new World Bank report. The report contains a chapter on trade and investment agreements between Asia and Africa.