Bilateral & Regional Trade

United Nations Children's Committee Warns Nicaragua About CAFTA Threats

6 June, 2005
source unknown
Nicaragua was warned last Friday by a United Nations Human Rights Body that Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations should not undermine the State

Bolivia's Poor Indigenous Population Rises Up to Demand Nationalization of their Nation's Energy Resources

5 June, 2005
Scott Harris, Between the Lines
Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Jim Schultz, executive director of the Democracy Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia, who analyzes the roots of the nation's popular resistance to U.S.-backed neoliberal economic policies and their connection to the wider progressive movements across Latin America.

Latin America may flex

1 June, 2005
By Jeremy Smith, Reuters
World trade talks could slip up over bananas at a key meeting in December if Latin America digs its heels in over a row with Europe that has simmered all year

RNM Newsletter, June 2, 2005

1 June, 2005
Communications Division, Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery
Prepared by the Communications Division of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), this electronic newsletter focuses on the RNM, trade negotiation issues within its mandate and related activities.

Trade Policy Steep Tariff Reductions Necessary In WTO Talks to Benefit U.S. Exporters

23 May, 2005
Gary G. Yerkey, International Trade Daily
National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), said that hundreds of millions of dollars a year worth of priority NFTC-member non-agricultural exports to six countries--Brazil, Egypt, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey--currently face 'uncertain' or 'prohibitive' tariffs.

Fair Trade Advocates Say Open Markets Could Shatter Small Farms

22 May, 2005
Michelle Chen (bio)
'[CAFTA] is going to be a disaster for farmers, in particular in the other member countries,' predicted Robert Scott, director of international programs at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI),

Deputy Minister talks between SACU, US cancelled, no new date set

5 May, 2005
Inside US Trade
A deputy ministers meeting meant to restart talks on a free trade agreement between the U.S. and the Southern African Customs Union were cancelled this week and efforts to reschedule the meeting were unsuccessful.

RNM Update

7 April, 2005
Carribean Regional Negotiating Machinery
Latest news from the Carribean Regional Negotrating Machinery

Indonesia, U.S. revive bilateral trade and investment talks

1 April, 2005
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Indonesia and the United States met and revived bilateral talks on trade and investment here on Friday -- a move that could lead to free trade negotiations between the two countries.

Critics Say Deficit Argues For Quitting WTO

26 March, 2005
The Oregonian Sunday, March 27, 2005
'I don't believe we can force American withdrawal, but once every five years we get to vote on it,' said Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. 'And I think we can have a very vigorous debate.'

US draft paper counters Development Agenda in WIPO

24 March, 2005
TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Mar05/11)
The US has informally circulated a draft paper containing its views and proposals for the meeting in WIPO on a Development Agenda.

US Draft Paper Counters Development Agenda In WIPO

24 March, 2005
TWN Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Mar05/11)
The paper, titled 'Establishment of a Partnership Program in WIPO' states that WIPO already has a 'robust development agenda' in all its work, and it clearly ignores and sidesteps the demands of the proponents of a 'development agenda' in WIPO.

American Corn Growers Oppose Ratification of CAFTA

22 March, 2005
American Corn Growers Association
Larry Mitchell, American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) Chief Executive Officer, today stated his organization's opposition to the U.S. ratification of the CAFTA.

American Corn Growers Oppose Ratification Of CAFTA

22 March, 2005
CRAWFORD, Texas - March 23, 2005
Larry Mitchell, American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) Chief Executive Officer, today stated his organization’s opposition to the U.S. ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

WTO Members Adopt Cotton Work Program, Widen Scope to All Trade-Distorting Policies

22 March, 2005
By Daniel Pruzin, International Trade Daily
Members of the WTO formally adopted a work program for the new WTO subcommittee on cotton.

WTO Members Adopt Cotton Work Program, Widen Scope To All Trade-Distorting Policies

22 March, 2005
Daniel Pruzin
Groser later told the subcommittee meeting that it was 'inconceivable' that a successful outcome in the Doha agriculture talks can be achieved without serious reform in domestic support and cotton, according to officials in attendance.

UK steps into row over trade rules

21 March, 2005
FT by Alan Beattie, World Trade Editor
The European Union should not press poor countries to accept rules governing investment, competition and government procurement in return for continued special trade access to European markets.

UK Steps Into Row Over Trade Rules

21 March, 2005
Alan Beattie
A new policy paper from the UK Department for Trade and Industry intervenes in a controversy over proposed economic partnership agreements (EPAs) the EU is negotiating with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Free Trade Area / US-Thailand Negotiations

21 March, 2005
Achara Ashayagachat, Bangkok Post
Civic groups plan a series of activities to counter the upcoming negotiations on free trade area (FTA) agreement between Thailand and the United States in Pattaya early next month.

Free Trade Area / US-Thailand Negotiations

21 March, 2005
Bangkok Post
The negotiations have attracted strong opposition and raised concern among many Thai social advocates, trade union and NGO activists, as well as academics and armers.