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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

A country for sale
25-Mar-2008     Fair Trade Alliance
Maraming nagugutom sa Pilipinas. Maraming walang lupang sinasaka. Maraming walang trabaho. Maraming naghihirap, isa sa bawat tatlong Pilipino sang ayon sa gobyerno mismo. Ang pangunahing dahilan sa paghihirap ay ang patuloy na pagguho ng industriya at agrikultura sa ilalim ng isang one-sided economic liberalization (lower tariffs, unchecked smuggling, missing safety nets, poor application of safeguard measures, trade-industry policy incoherence, high cost of doing business, etc.). Tanging remittances ng 10 milyong overseas Filipinos (contract workers at immigrants) ang bumubuhay sa bansa.
US free trade accords face rocky road
7-Feb-2008     CSM
A fresh battle is brewing in Washington over foreign trade, with the White House persevering in its pursuit of free trade agreements while congressional Democrats - some elected two years ago on protectionist planks - appear more inclined to take up trade issues with China than pass new deals.
Fighting FTAs: new publication and website
7-Feb-2008    
bilaterals.org, GRAIN and BIOTHAI are today launching a collaborative publication, "Fighting FTAs: The growing resistance to bilateral free trade and investment agreements".
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."

Referenced sites

Third World Network

TWN's website is a good source of information and analysis about what's happening within the multilateral trade system (WTO, UNCTAD, G77, etc).

WorldTradeLaw.net

WorldTradeLaw.net offers a free library of current trade news and resources; a database of dispute settlement tables and statistics; and a user-friendly sear...