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- CAFTA and the Forced Migration Crisis
Date: Friday, September 26, 2014. By Eyes on TRADE
CAFTA and the Forced Migration Crisis
What does a trade agreement have to do with the thousands of unaccompanied children risking their lives to try to cross the U.S. southern border? Earlier this month Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) hosted a congressional briefing entitled "Economic Underpinnings Of Migration In The Americas," focusing on the role that the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has played in contributing to the forced migration crisis. More>>- Dominican Republic Submission under CAFTA-DR
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2013. By US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Dominican Republic Submission under CAFTA-DR
The U.S Department of Labor has issued a public report in response to a submission filed by Father Christopher Hartley under Chapter 16 (the Labor Chapter) of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The report was released on September 27, 2013. More>>- DR-CAFTA: An Impact Aanalysis Thus Far
Date: Friday, April 13, 2012. By SSRN
DR-CAFTA: An impact Analysis Thus Far
The signing of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and its subsequent implementation in 2006 by El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the United States, with Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic entering the agreement in 2009, renaming it the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), continued trade liberalization trends in Latin America. Economists, scholars, and politicians alike view NAFTA and DR-CAFTA as a movement towards an even more ambitious Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) and economic integration of the region from Canada to the southern cone. More>>- Ending 4-year battle, Costa Rica approves CAFTA
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008. By Marianela Jimenez, Associated Press Writer
Costa Rica is finally ready to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Costa Rica's agriculture sector stands to benefit the most from the new agreement, particularly specialized fruits and vegetables such as pineapple and yucca. Costa Ricans are also hoping competition in the cellular phone industry will lower costs and offer more services. More>>- Costa Rica requests trade-pact delay
Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2008. By Phil Long, The Miami Herald
Although Costa Rica approved CAFTA late last year, it said it still hasn't passed necessary accompanying laws.
Costa Rica approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement in October, but its Congress has only passed four of 13 laws needed to launch it. More>>- For El Salvador, a taste of free trade
Date: Monday, September 17, 2007. By Nancy San Martin, The Miami Herald
Exports are up, but the benefits of free trade are not fully clear in El Salvador 18 months after it implemented an accord with the United States.
Since this U.S.-friendly nation implemented the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement last year, the nation has seen a 68 percent increase in overall exports, from $240 million in 2005 to $404 million in 2006. More>>- Latin America boasts best economic gains in decades
Date: Sunday, September 16, 2007. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
A commodity exports boom is bringing the best economic results in decades, but for how long?.
Regional economic growth has averaged about 5 percent since 2004, and 2008 is expected to mark the fifth year of this expansion, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. More>>- CAFTA marks first year with new member
Date: Friday, March 2, 2007. By Associated Press
With President Bush's proclamation, the Dominican Republic became the fifth -- and next to last -- nation to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Thursday's announcement came as Salvadoran and U.S. officials celebrated the first anniversary of CAFTA, saying the accord is boosting economic growth and creating jobs in the region only a year after going into effect. Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala have also been approved for entry. Only Costa Rica has yet ratify the agreement. More>>- Costa Ricans protest free-trade pact
Date: Monday, February 26, 2007. By Associated Press
Tens of thousands of union members, farmers and political activists marched through Costa Rica's capital on Monday to protest a free-trade pact with the U.S. they say will be harmful to local businesses.
Costa Rica is the only one of six Latin American signatories to the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, that has not yet ratified the accord. Legislators are awaiting a court ruling to clear procedural issues before voting on it. More>>- Bush discusses CAFTA with Dominican leader
Date: Thursday, October 26 2006. By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press
President Bush told President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic that the U.S. is working on legislation to implement the free-trade agreement.
The pact was supposed to take effect in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 1, but the country has not passed legislation needed to implement parts of the deal. Some of the delays stem from conflicts between U.S. and Dominican intellectual property law, including issues related to pharmaceutical manufacturing. More>>- Guatemala joins trade agreement
Date: Saturday, July 1, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
The Guatemalan congress passed legislation implementing CAFTA Wednesday after months of delay. President Bush signed the proclamation sealing the deal Friday.
Guatemala is the latest country to join the U.S.Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA. El Salvador implemented the agreement in March and Honduras and Nicaragua in April after receiving the green light from Washington. Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic have yet to join. More>>- CAFTA threatens small farmers
Date: Sunday, June 18, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Guatemala's government says CAFTA is the only way to gain access to bigger markets; critics say it threatens both livelihoods and traditional ways of life.
While Guatemala boasts the largest economy in Central America with a gross domestic product of $34 billion, this country of 12.4 million people also confronts overwhelming poverty, rampant drug trafficking and gang violence. More>>- Pensacola conference touts Central American trade
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2006. By Melissa Nelson, Associated Press
Years of democratic reforms and the recently signed Central American Free Trade Agreement are luring U.S. investors to Central America.
The deal is designed to eliminate trade barriers among the participating countries and is part of the Bush administration's push to strike free trade deals with nations around the world as a way of boosting American exports. More>>- Free trade to begin in March
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2006. By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press
A free-trade agreement with El Salvador will take effect on March 1 initially leaving behind five other Latin American nations.
It had been expected that the agreement would take effect Jan. 1, but it has run into obstacles as different countries have had trouble passing legislation needed to implement CAFTA commitments. More>>- In Costa Rica, it all boils down to rice
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2006. By Steven Dudley, The Miami Herald
Beleaguered agricultural sectors and embattled state unions have made Costa Rica the only country involved in CAFTA not to ratify the agreement.
Costa Rica remains the only country of those that signed CAFTA whose congress has yet to ratify the agreement. The reasons for Costa Rica's obstinacy are as multiple and layered as the agreement itself. More>>- CAFTA vote postponed
Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2005. By Filadelfo Aleman, Associated Press
Congressional president and leftist Sandinista leader René Núñez said lawmakers could not reach an agreement to include CAFTA on the legislative agenda.
Nicaragua's congress on Tuesday postponed debate on a proposed free-trade agreement between Central America and the United States until next month. More>>- Who's ready for CAFTA?
Date: Friday, August 5, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Leaders of South Florida's trade community witness trade pact signing and anticipate future business. But agriculture and labor warn of the downside to the new trade agreement.
While importers and exporters anticipate potential business from reduction of trade barriers, the passage of CAFTA by the slimmest of margins still rankles some Florida industries. Cattle ranchers, the sugar industry and labor groups aren't pleased. More>>- Free-traders losing Congress because they have lost the country
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2005. By Patrick J. Buchanan, The Miami Herald
The narrow margins and the intensely partisan vote are matters of serious concern.
The political recriminations from the cliff-hanger passage of (CAFTA) are even worse than we thought. Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, is contemplating revenge against the 15 Democrats. More>>- Legislature weighs merits of CAFTA-DR passage
Date: Friday, July 29, 2005. By Jim Wyss, The Miami Herald
After the U.S. Congress voted on Wednesday for the Central American Free Trade Agreement, Nicaraguans carefully weighed pros and cons.
A day after the Central American Free Trade Agreement squeezed by in a vote in the U.S. Congress, Nicaraguan trade officials called on their nation's legislative body to pass the deal or risk economic isolation. More>>- CAFTA passage may hurt other deals
Date: Friday, July 29, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Supporters of CAFTA-DR celebrated its passage. However, the partisan fight could endanger other free-trade pacts.
After the House early Thursday passed a trade agreement with five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic by the narrowest of margins, supporters in Washington, Miami and Central America hailed it as a major win. More>>- House passes CAFTA to give Bush big win
Date: Thursday, July 28, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
In a major victory for President Bush, the House of Representatives passed the CAFTA-DR free-trade pact in a 217-215 vote.
Only 15 Democrats supported the trade pact and 27 Republicans opposed a bill that had become a test of President Bush's ability to lead Congress in his second term. More>>- The doubtful deals driving CAFTA
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2005. By Paul Magnusson, BusinessWeek
If CAFTA becomes law, what will happen to the long list of promised projects that helped to secure its passage?
Former President Bill Clinton promised lawmakers in 1993 that he would protect Florida tomato farmers and Washington asparagus growers from a feared flood of Mexican imports under NAFTA but did little more than study the situation. More>>- Bush makes plea to lawmakers for trade agreement passage
Date: Friday, July 22, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Speaking before the Organization of American States, President Bush praised CAFTA-DR's pro-democracy attributes. In Congress, deals were offered on China and Haiti.
With a House vote on the CAFTA-DR free-trade pact still too close to call, President Bush Thursday made a personal plea for its passage as lawmakers scraped for votes by offering deals on China and Haiti. More>>- Battle over CAFTA heats up
Date: Monday, July 18, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
The gloves are off in the battle over the Bush administration's biggest free-trade initiative and in an unusual twist, this time Big Business is going mano a mano against Big Business.
In the battle to defeat or approve the Central American Free Trade Agreement, sugar producers are pitted against candy makers, the old-line beef industry against upstart cattlemen, and retailers and importers against pockets of textile makers. More>>- Survey: U.S. citizens split on trade pact
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Supporters of CAFTA-DR outnumber its opponents by a narrow margin according to a study released on Monday.
A new poll out Monday showed Americans support a free-trade deal with six Latin American nations by a narrow margin, but have misgivings over the negative effects of free trade. More>>- Senate votes 54-45 to OK CAFTA
Date: Friday, July 1, 2005. By James Kuhnhenn, Knight Ridder Newspapers
The U.S. Senate approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement late Thursday by a vote of 54-45. Next, a vote must be taken in the House.
Both Florida Senators, Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, voted for the trade agreement. More>>- Senate approves Central America trade deal
Date: Friday, July 1, 2005. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
The House vote, expected in July, on the Central America Free Trade Agreement is certain to be close, but supporters expressed new confidence Thursday after a 54-45 vote in the Senate.
Fresh off a victory in the Senate, the Bush administration turned to the House in the drive to conclude a free trade agreement it says will promote democracy in Central America while opening new markets to American businesses. More>>- CAFTA wheeling, dealing begins
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
A Senate committee gave initial approval to a free-trade pact with Central America as the Bush administration granted concessions to some countries and the sugar industry.
Horse-trading to secure congressional passage of the controversial trade pact known as CAFTA-DR, the Bush administration on Wednesday offered more financial aid to some Central American nations and concessions to the U.S. sugar industry. More>>- Open markets, free trade keys to reducing poverty for millions
Date: Sunday, June 26, 2005. By Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post
What has happened to the Democrats over the past few decades is best captured by the phrase (coined by Kevin Phillips) ''reactionary liberalism.'' Spent of new ideas, their only remaining idea is to hang on to the status quo at all costs.
If we have learned anything from the last 25 years in China, India, Chile and other centers of amazing economic growth, it is that open markets and free trade are the keys to pulling millions, indeed hundreds of millions of people, out of poverty. The Central American Free Trade Agreement is a chance to do the same for desperately poor near-neighbors. More>>- CAFTA provides summer suspense in Washington
Date: Friday, June 24, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
D.C. cliffhanger: Can opponents kill CAFTA or can President Bush cajole and compel Congress to approve the treaty to make six Latin countries full trade partners?
After more than a year of false starts, the Bush administration Thursday sent a free-trade agreement with Central American nations and the Dominican Republic to Capitol Hill, setting up what is expected to be this summer's political blockbuster. More>>- CAFTA generates healthy debate
Date: Thursday, June 23, 2005. By David S. Broder, Washington Post
The fight over the Central American Free Trade Agreement is a stand-in for a much larger debate over economic policy and political leadership.
CAFTA in itself is small potatoes. Most of their products already enter the United States duty-free. Our exports to them are modest. But CAFTA comes before Congress this summer in an environment of increasingly serious economic debate. More>>- U.S. House committee OK's CAFTA proposal
Date: Thursday, June 16, 2005. By Nancy San Martin, The Miami Herald
A U.S. House committee gave tentative approval to a proposed free trade agreement with Central American nations.
A panel in the House of Representatives moved closer Wednesday to final passage of a controversial free trade agreement with Central American nations that has been the source of intense lobbying efforts. More>>- Unhealthy for U.S., Central America
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2005. By Fred Frost, The South Florida AFL-CIO
CAFTA, like NAFTA, will sell out America's jobs while doing nothing to pull people out of poverty in Central America.
CAFTA's predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, was supposed to open markets for American goods and services, creating high-paying jobs at home and prosperity abroad. But the opposite has occurred. More>>- Florida Citrus Mutual stands behind CAFTA
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2005. By The Miami Herald
Florida's largest citrus grower organization announced its endorsement of the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
The citrus industry's support for CAFTA-DR will also strengthen our alliance with citrus-producing nations in Central America which share our interest in maintaining a fair playing field. More>>- CAFTA opponents call for vote to kill trade deal
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2005. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
The people clamoring most for a vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement are not its supporters but opponents confident they can kill it.
Backers of CAFTA had predicted a May vote on the pact that would eventually eliminate duties on almost all U.S. manufactured and farm products in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. U.S. officials signed the agreement May 28, 2004, but it must be approved by Congress to take effect. More>>- Battered nation needs relief, not charity
Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2005. By Carlos A. Rosales, The Miami Herald
To be able to rise again from extreme adversity, El Salvador needs the immediate approval of CAFTA.
Central American leaders argue that CAFTA is not just a trade deal but also a development strategy on which they have placed their hopes for boosting their economies. It is hoped that opening access to U.S. markets will increase foreign and national investment and create much-needed jobs. More>>- Big sugar's war on trade deal hurts U.S. consumers
Date: Sunday, May 22, 2005. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Behind the CAFTA countries, 21 other sugar-exporting countries are lined up, like planes on a tarmac, waiting to do their deal with the U.S.
The United States today only imports about 10 percent of the sugar it consumes, and American consumers are paying almost twice what they would pay at world market prices. More>>- U.S. trade pact may aid region, panelists say
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2005. By Saudy Peña, The Miami Herald
As Congress debates a trade pact with Central American nations, experts at an FIU conference say the pact could lead to dialogue in the region.
Despite some opposition in Central America, a trade agreement being considered by the U.S. Congress could become an important vehicle to drive dialogue about development issues in the region. More>>- Pact would strengthen region's democracies
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2005. By Carlos Alberto Montaner, Firma Press
If DR-CAFTA is approved, the democratic trend will be strengthened. If the U.S. Congress rejects the pact, however, the forces of populism will get a dangerous pat on the back.
The approval of DR-CAFTA, a free-trade agreement that will intensely promote all exchanges between that impoverished part of the world and the United States. Without that pact, there will be no political stability or economic development in the region. More>>- Free-trade pact stalls as Bush begins his push in Congress
Date: Sunday, May 15, 2005. By Brian Harris, The Miami Herald
Costa Rica has yet to make any move to approve the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement pact, and local opponents of the pact are gaining political traction.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have already approved the pact and the deal is being debated in the Nicaraguan National Assembly, but in Costa Rica, instead of sending the agreement to the Legislative Assembly last month as expected, President Abel Pacheco announced he would name a five-member ''committee of nobles'' to analyze the deal. More>>- Free-trade effort gets Bush support
Date: Friday, May 13, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
President Bush joined the leaders of six Latin American countries and promised to aggressively push for the passage of a free-trade bill.
Bringing the full weight of the presidency to bear on efforts to approve a contentious free trade bill with six small Latin American countries, President Bush Thursday promised for the first time to personally lobby in favor of the pact before Congress. More>>- CAFTA is a sour deal for sugar industry
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2005. By Robert E. Coker and Gaston Cantens, U.S. Sugar Corp. Florida Crystals
Florida sugar farmers already cannot sell all the sugar they can produce and have been forced to reduce their operations and lay off workers.
We remember the promises of all the economic and social benefits for the United States and Mexico if Congress would approve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Today, no one could say with a straight face that it worked out as promised. More>>- Leaders lobby for CAFTA
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2005. By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press
Leaders from Central America embark on a journey to Capitol Hill to lobby in favor of the DR-CAFTA free-trade agreement.
Lobbyists for a day, six Latin American presidents are making a rare joint trek to the Capitol, trying to convince U.S. lawmakers that a free-trade agreement linking the United States with their countries is in everyone's best interest. More>>- Latin American leaders push for free trade
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Three Central American presidents say DR-CAFTA will help solve problems such as poverty and immigration and will help strengthen democracy.
Three Central American presidents kicked off a barnstorming tour of America on Monday in Miami, urging support for a trade agreement they say will boost economic growth, reduce poverty, halt the flow of immigrants and strengthen democracy in the struggling region. More>>- Key voters come out against pact
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2005. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
Weak approach to worker rights and the administration's inadequate backing for retraining programs for U.S. workers hurt by the effects of trade.
Four Democratic representatives who are crucial swing votes in Republican efforts to win approval of a free-trade pact with Central America said Wednesday they would oppose the agreement because of what they consider weak labor provisions. More>>- Centrist Democrats oppose Central American trade pact
Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2005. By Jim Puzzanghera, Knight Ridder Newspapers
Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., chair of the 41-member New Democrat Coalition in the House of Representatives, released a letter to President Bush asking him to renegotiate the Central American Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA.
They said that the pact does not provide adequate protection for worker rights in the region and that the Bush administration needs to do more to help U.S. workers who have lost their jobs because of increased global trade. More>>- Free trade pact faces new delays, opposition
Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2005. By The Miami Herald
Proponents of a free trade pact with Central America had hoped to win its passage in May, but that schedule may be slipping amid stubborn opposition in Congress.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Monday that while the trade agreement remains a top priority for the Bush administration, he could not say when President Bush would submit the implementing legislation to Congress. More>>- CAFTA may ruin U.S. sugar
Date: Friday, April 29, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
A think tank warns the sugar imports under the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement could disrupt the U.S. sugar program.
An independent think tank warned Thursday that increased sugar imports required by the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement could threaten the U.S. sugar program and turn it into a major burden on taxpayers. More>>- Facts on CAFTA
Date: Monday, April 25, 2005. By U.S. Trade Representative
Trade, duties, sugar, and fabrics.
The United States exported nearly $11 billion in goods to the five Central American countries in 2003. Two-way trade was over $23 billion in 2003. When the Dominican Republic is added, two-way trade increases to $32 billion. CAFTA will create the second largest export market in Latin America, behind only Mexico. More>>- CAFTA opponents believe they have enough votes
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2005. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
Opponents of the Central American Free Trade Agreement say they have enough votes to kill the deal; supporters are ready to put up a fight.
Opponents of a free-trade agreement with six Central American and Caribbean countries said Wednesday they have the votes to kill the deal when it comes up for a House vote. Supporters declared they have just begun to fight. More>>- CAFTA backers lash out at sugar interests in U.S.
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Supporters of the Central American Free Trade Agreement lashed out at sugar interests in a Coral Gables conference to push for congressional passage of the trade pact.
Florida is in the epicenter of the DR-CAFTA debate. Not only does the state have a large sugar industry, but South Florida plays a key role in the textile trade, serving as a major springboard for shipping textiles to Central American assembly plants and receiving finished apparel. More>>- U.S. battle ensues over CAFTA
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2005. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
A Senate hearing previews a bruising battle to pass a Domincan Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Launching a Congressional trade battle that promises to be the fiercest since NAFTA was approved 11 years ago, a Senate committee Wednesday opened hearings on a free trade pact with Central America and the Dominican Republic. More>>- Bush focuses on CAFTA
Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2005. By Martin Crutsinger, The Associated Press
Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez outlined the Bush administration's goal to open up markets in Central America and the Caribbean.
The Bush administration's drive to remove trade barriers to U.S. exports is working and needs to be expanded with a new free-trade agreement with six Latin American countries. More>>- This Trade Pact Won't Sail Through
Date: Monday, March 28, 2005. By Paul Magnusson, Business Week.
Expect a bruising CAFTA debate as both parties try to score points with Latinos.
In the three years since Congress handed the White House carte blanche to negotiate free-trade deals, lawmakers from both parties have rubber-stamped a handful of minor pacts. But the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), scheduled for Apr. 6 hearings, promises to be a bitter battle as both parties maneuver to appeal to Hispanic voters. More>>- Free-trade deal 'done,' spurring more protests
Date: Friday, March 18, 2005. By Catherine Elton, The Miami Herald
Leaders of labor, peasant, student and other organizations that oppose Guatemala's participation in a regional free-trade deal warned that street protests may intensify.
Guatemala's government maintains that the Central America Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, presents opportunities for economic growth. The U.S. Congress and several of the other nations covered by CAFTA have not yet approved the pact. More>>- Analysis: CAFTA Approved in Guatemala
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2005. By Les Kjos, The United Press International
Despite continuing street violence, Guatemala has agreed to join the Central American Trade Agreement, and now it's the United States' turn.
Guatemala, Salvador and Honduras have ratified the agreement. Costa Rica, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic have yet to do so. It also faces a possible court challenge in Nicaragua. More>>- U.S. sugar growers and producers fight CAFTA
Date: Monday, March 14, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Sugar growers and processors are lining up against the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement because they say it will adversely impact their industry.
CAFTA, which still must be approved by the U.S. Congress, is a trade and investment agreement that includes higher sugar import quotas for the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. More>>- States' Rights vs. Free Trade
Date: Monday, March 7, 2005. By Paul Magnusson, Business Week
As trade pacts proliferate, states start to howl about lost sovereignty.
The statehouse uprising against trade deals comes at a bad time for President George W. Bush's trade policy. This summer, Congress will debate the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) between the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and five Central American nations. It will also consider whether to end U.S. membership in the WTO and extend Presidential authority to negotiate future deals. More>>- Mercosur News
- Brazil admits EU/Mercosur deal stalled because of European concerns about agriculture.
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2014. By MercoPress
Brazil admits EU/Mercosur deal stalled because of European concerns about agriculture.
Brazil's agricultural competitiveness is a concern to countries and trade blocks negotiating agreements with Brazil, according to ambassador Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita, head of the Economics Department of the country's Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE). More>>- Bolivia full incorporation to Mercosur now rests on legislative approval from other members
Date: Monday, May 6th, 2013. By MercoPress
Bolivia full incorporation to Mercosur now rests on legislative approval from other members
Bolivia has completed the presentation of its Mercosur incorporation protocol, which opens the way for the parliaments of the different member-countries to begin considering and ratifying her full membership. Once completed Bolivia becomes the sixth full member next to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. More>>- Mercosur RIP?
Date: Friday, July 14, 2012. By The Economist
Mercosur RIP?
IT WAS such a good idea. In 1991 Brazil and Argentina set aside decades of rivalry and, together with smaller Uruguay and Paraguay, founded Mercosur as a would-be common market. The project went hand-in-hand with a broader opening of inward-looking economies. Diplomats got to work on harmonising trade rules. Cross-border trade and investment boomed. More>>- Politics overshadow Mercosur meeting
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007. By Michael Astor, Associated Press
The political climate in South America has shifted to the left, undermining some of the trade potential of the Mercosur bloc.
The Mercosur leaders plan to consider membership requests from Bolivia and Ecuador and to discuss the implementation of a development fund for the bloc's poorer countries. More>>- Bickering over unity at Mercosur meeting
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2006. By Vivian Sequera, Associated Press
In Brazil, complaints and disputes took center stage at the annual meeting of the South American trading bloc, Mercosur.
The meeting came a day after the trade bloc inaugurated its parliament in a ceremonial session meant to encourage greater unity among the members: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and, since July 2006, Venezuela. More>>- Mercosur Parliament to meet in March
Date: Friday, December 15, 2006. By The Miami Herald
In the long term, the parliament is intended to help unify legislation in the member nations and foster greater cooperation.
The parliament would promote ''democracy, liberty and peace and sustainable development with social justice'' as well as encouraging integration among the five Mercosur nations. More>>- Uruguay moving to free-trade talks
Date: Friday, May 5, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
As divisions deepen in Latin America, Uruguay's leftist president finds ground for agreement with President Bush.
Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez, often cited as an example of Latin America's leftward shift, and President Bush agreed Thursday to deeper ties and talks that could lead to a free-trade pact with Washington. More>>- Uruguay's overture to U.S. shakes up bloc
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Tiny Uruguay's apparent decision to start free trade talks with the United States has created economic and political turmoil in this part of the world.
Uruguay's decision to go it alone would deal a serious blow to South America's Mercosur common market, founded 14 years ago by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. More>>- Bush to press free trade plan
Date: Sunday, November 6, 2005. By Stan Lehman, Associated Press
President Bush headed from the Summit of the Americas to Brazil to meet with leaders to discuss his free-trade proposal.
President Bush arrived here Saturday for a brief visit during which he is expected to discuss with his Brazilian counterpart ways to revive talks aimed at creating a free-trade zone in the Western Hemisphere. More>>
- FTAA News
- Free-trade agreement: Dairy farmers set to be big winners in deal between Australia and China
Date: Sunday, November 17, 2014. By Lucy Barbour, ABC NEWS
Free-trade agreement: Dairy farmers set to be big winners in deal between Australia and China.
Tariffs on Australian resources, dairy products, beef and live animal exports to China will be scrapped under a free trade agreement (FTA) agreed by the two countries.Signing a Declaration of Intent with his Chinese counterpart, Trade Minister Andrew Robb said the deal was the most significant China had ever signed with a developed country.More>>- FTA loophole allows Panamanian goverment to restrict U.S. corn imports
Date: Friday, October 4, 2013. By Southeast FARM PRESS
FTA loophole allows Panamanian goverment to restrict U.S. corn imports.
On Sept. 27, 2013, the Panamanian government published the regulations governing quota administration for three products (powdered milk, rice and corn) governed by the auction system as part of the Panama-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement.Unfortunately, the Panamanian government decided to exploit a loophole in the agreement and closed the imports of U.S. corn for three and a half months (January through April 15, 2014) — a move that is counter to the spirit of the free trade agreement (FTA).More>>- Colombia-US free trade agreement comes into force
Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012. By BBC NEWS
Colombia-US free trade agreement comes into force.
The long-delayed free trade agreement between the US and Colombia has come into effect, more than five years after being signed. At the stroke of midnight, a planeload of flowers - an important export for Colombia - left Bogota to become the first shipment under the deal.More>>- Free trade passing the test with high marks
Date: Thursday, March 1, 2007. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Anti-free-trade zealots can scream as loud as they want, but the cold figures show that free trade has been good for Latin America, and good for the United States.
The newly released U.S. Commerce Department trade figures for 2006 show that Latin American countries that have free-trade agreements with Washington have substantially increased their exports to the U.S. market. More>>- Changes are likely in Peru, Colombia free-trade pacts
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
The new Democratic Congress may force changes in already negotiated trade pacts with Peru and Colombia.
Faced with the inevitability of a trade-skeptic Democratic-controlled Congress, the Bush administration has told Peru and Colombia that their free-trade agreements with the United States will need ''substantive adjustments'' to secure Congressional approval. More>>- Panel divided over trade pact
Date: Friday, February 17, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
A discussion of U.S.-Latin American relations got sidetracked from 'who lost Latin America' to a debate over who lost the Free Trade Areas of the Americas.
U.S. policy in Latin America -- or the lack of it -- has topped the Miami conference circuit this year. More>>- Trade deal good news for region
Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2006. By Luis Pinto, The Council of the Americas
It hasn't happened often in recent years, but some good economic news is now coming out of the Caribbean.
On Jan. 23, the leaders of six Caribbean nations -- Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago -- gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, to launch a common market, a goal that has taken more than three decades to accomplish. More>>- Bush's last stop: Panama
Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2005. By William Douglas, Knight Ridder News
President Bush ended his trip to Latin America in Panama, facing questions about unexploded ordnance -- but no protests over trade. Some observers said he had little to show for his five-day trip.
Fresh from bruising discussions over free trade, President Bush Monday wrapped up a Latin American tour in pro-free trade Panama -- and got hit with complaints about unexploded bombs in former U.S. military bases here. More>>- The final outcome of summit: two Americas
Date: Sunday, November 6, 2005. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Despite efforts from all sides to put a good face to it, the summit ended in disarray.
One bloc is made up of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Chile, and several other countries, whose combined gross domestic product is an estimated $14.5 trillion. The other emerging bloc is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay and Uruguay, whose economies add up to about $2.2 trillion. More>>- Bush bruised, not beaten in talks
Date: Sunday, November 6, 2005. By Mei-Ling Hopgood and Jack Chang, Knight Ridder News
President Bush faced harsh criticism from Latin American presidents over a free-trade proposal, but no clear winners and losers emerged.
There were no clear winners or losers after the Fourth Summit of the Americas ended here Saturday: President Bush and 33 other leaders of the region wound up the two-day meeting brutally divided over a hemisphere-wide free trade zone first proposed in Miami more than a decade ago. More>>- U.S.-backed free-trade proposal faces test of survival at summit
Date: Friday, November 4, 2005. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Argentina introduced a new article that effectively killed plans to go forward with the U.S.-backed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
The hemispheric free trade area was originally scheduled to start Jan. 1 this year, but the deadline came and went without a deal, largely because of Mercosur's objections to U.S. agricultural subsidies. U.S. officials came to Mar del Plata hoping to reach a deal to re-launch FTAA talks early next year. More>>- Negotiators call for FTAA talks
Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Mexico wants to settle the future of the temporary secretariat for the languishing Free Trade Area of the Americas talks. Caribbean negotiators call for more serious discussions.
Mexico got the ball rolling when it asked regional trade negotiators to meet in Puebla on Thursday to discuss what to do about the secretariat set up to handle hemispheric trade negotiations that have been moribund for the past 18 months. More>>- Chávez gaining support across region
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2005. By Steven Dudley, The Miami Herald
The ideological and economic influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has spread throughout the Latin American nations.
When former Ecuadorean President Abdalá Bucaram addressed a rally last month on his return home from eight years in exile, he vowed to follow a path that he believed would make him popular again: that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. More>>- Chávez's trade fight
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2005. By Carlos Alberto Montaner, Firma Press
The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), promoted by the United States, has run into a cunning and quarrelsome opponent: the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas (ALBA), created by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez with the enthusiastic complicity of Fidel Castro.
It is very likely that neither option will take off. The FTAA will be hard put to overcome the opposition of the regional protectionist right allied with its U.S. counterpart, which has wed the left in a marriage of convenience sanctified by a large number of devout enemies of the freedom of trade. More>>- FTAA in trouble, not dead, minister says
Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2005. By The Miami Herald
Argentina and its Mercosur partners -- Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -- are ready to resume talks 'as long as they're equitable,' according to Rafael Bielsa, Argentina's foreign minister.
The FTAA, as the proposed deal is known, ''has failed so far due to the imbalance in the negotiations, but neither is there any impediment nor demand that is stopping us from moving forward,'' the minister said. More>>- Senator battles funding for FTAA
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
State senator Mike Fasano questions funding for Florida's effort to land a trade headquarters in Miami and says Brazil's lukewarm position on FTAA helps.
Sen. Mike Fasano, a Republican from New Port Richey, said President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's remarks that the FTAA is a low priority for Brazil will only help his effort to strip $525,000 in funding for Florida FTAA, the group lobbying to have Miami named as the headquarters for the proposed hemispheric trade pact. More>>- Lula: FTAA is 'off the agenda'
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2005. By Alan Clendenning, Associated Press
Brazil's president calls a free trade zone ''off the agenda'' for South America's largest economy, focusing instead on relations with its neighbors.
Lula made the comments about the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas to a gathering of labor leaders in the capital of Brasilia just days before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to visit Brazil, the largest economy in South America. More>>- Commerce Secretary freely trades his views
Date: Monday, April 11, 2005. By Gregg Fields, The Miami Herald
As commerce secretary, Carlos Gutierrez is a key ambassador in selling President Bush's economic policies abroad and domestically.
As commerce secretary, Carlos Gutierrez is a key ambassador in selling President Bush's economic policies abroad and domestically. But that's not the only reason he was so wildly applauded at the Little Havana Activities and Nutritional Center on April 1. More>>- Approval would boost FTAA deal
Date: Monday, March 28, 2005. By Jorge L. Arrizurieta, Florida FTAA, Inc.
After NAFTA's success, DR-CAFTA represents a stepping-stone for the creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, an agreement which seeks to liberalize trade among the 34 democracies in the Western Hemisphere.
The DR-CAFTA was negotiated between the United States, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua and was signed by all participating nations last summer. The agreement seeks to boost exports, productivity, employment and trade among the member nations by liberalizing their market economies. More>>- Andean News
- Bush seeks support for Colombia
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2007. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
A free trade agreement with Colombia held up in the U.S. Congress because of Democrats' concerns over the human and labor rights record of conservative President Alvaro Uribe.
President Bush Monday praised the defeat of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's proposals for constitutional and declined any recognition of his outspoken foe for accepting the loss, as other governments have done. More>>- Congress approves Peru trade deal
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2007. By Jim Abrams, Associated Press
The Senate gave decisive backing Tuesday to a U.S.-Peru free trade agreement, opening the way for expanded economic ties with the Andean nation.
The 77-18 Senate vote on the bill implementing the agreement followed a 285-132 House vote last month. The agreement will go into effect after the two countries adjust laws needed to abide by it. More>>- Chavez warns against Andean-Europe pact
Date: Friday, June 22, 2007. By Natalie Obiko Pearson, Associated Press
President Hugo Chavez urged the Community of Andean Nations not go through with a proposed free trade pact with Europe.
Chavez said Thursday that Morales had told him that in some areas the proposed deal with Europe were worse than those with the U.S., which he has argued are designed to only benefit the United States and its corporations. More>>- Free trade good for both nations
Date: Friday, April 6, 2007. By Andres Mejia-Vergnaud, The Miami Herald
A deal on the Colombia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement is teetering under fire from Democrats and labor unions claiming that various scandals mean Colombia does not deserve it.
Some representatives want higher labor and environmental standards to be included in these FTAs. This usually reflects protectionist strategies -- it does not mean they care about workers or the environment. More>>- Extension welcome on pact
Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2006. By Tyler Bridges, The Miami Herald
A trade deal reached Saturday morning just before U.S. Congress adjourned provides continued but temporary benefits for the four Andean countries.
The concession -- formally known as the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act -- was due to expire on Dec. 31. Exporters from the four countries have been warning that failure to extend it would reinstitute tariffs that would curtail exports and cost potentially hundreds of thousands of badly needed jobs in this politically volatile region. More>>- House poised to pass trade concessions with Andean nations
Date: Friday, December 8, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Four Andean nations inch closer to securing a crucial extension of trade preferences. But a deal with Haiti is in doubt.
Lawmakers on Thursday agreed to throw a temporary lifeline to Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador by extending for six months special trade concessions that support hundreds of thousands of jobs in the region. More>>- Dominica protests Ecuador's WTO bid
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2006. By Ellsworth Carter, Associated Press
Dominica's top trade official is urging the World Trade Organization to reject Ecuador's bid to ease tariffs on its bananas shipped to Europe.
Ecuador, the world's largest banana producer, filed a protest against the European Union's banana import rules system two weeks ago, arguing it unfairly restricts its access to EU market. More>>- Say Yes to trade pacts
Date: Friday, November 10, 2006. By Peter De Shazo, The Miami Herald
On Dec. 31, 2006, four countries in the Andean region -- Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia -- will lose important trade benefits with the United States if Congress does not move to extend them.
Trade between the four countries and the United States has risen by more than 50 percent since 2003 alone, spurred by these preferences. Extension of ATPDEA would also strengthen governance and security in this volatile region of Latin America. More>>- Peru's García touts free trade, sounds alarm on Chávez
Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Peruvian President Alvaro García defended free trade and criticized Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez during a visit to the United States.
The Peruvians wanted Congress to vote on the agreement before it went into its summer recess, and are now pushing for approval during the lame-duck session after the Nov. 7 elections in what many analysts see as a tough vote. More>>- Latin American trade deals' futures uncertain
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Washington is still seeking free-trade agreements, but politics and time constraints make passage uncertain.
Full trade agreements must be approved before ''fast track'' trade authority -- which allows a trade agreement to be considered for an up or down vote with no amendments added -- expires in July 2007. More>>- U.S. trade deal delays punish Colombian, Peruvian exporters
Date: Thursday, August 24, 2006. By Joshua Goodman, Associated Press
Colombia and Peru stand to lose millions of dollars if unilateral trade privileges expire and high tariffs are restored.
The deal with Colombia would be Washington's biggest in the hemisphere since the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement. It's also a unique test of Washington's leadership in a region where trade dteals that lock in billion-dollar subsidies for U.S. farmers have been sharply criticized. More>>- Free-trade pact may thwart foes
Date: Saturday, July 15, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
Facing a tough vote in the U.S. House, supporters of a U.S.-Peru free-trade agreement are warning that a defeat would be a victory for U.S. foe Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
Free-trade agreements generally set tariffs on beef and commodities and deal with government procurement contracts and labor provisions. But as Congress prepares to vote on a contentious free-trade accord with Peru, the figure of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is looming large. More>>- Vote on Peru trade deal may be now or never
Date: Thursday, July 13, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Latin American politicians have long said -- only half-jokingly -- that if you want to get attention and help from Washington, it often pays more to be hostile to the United States than to be its friend.
If President Bush fails to get congressional approval of a recently signed U.S.-Peru free-trade agreement before Congress goes on its summer recess July 28, it will be a case study proving that the United States does not reward its friends. More>>- Analysts: Chávez's influence not assured
Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2006. By Steven Dudley, The Miami Herald
With Venezuela's entry to the Mercosur trading bloc, President Hugo Chávez will try to pull his neighbors away from the Free Trade Area of the Americas. But analysts say he is unlikely to succeed.
As it has for decades, the question of U.S. economic relations looms large for Latin America. Washington is pushing for a continent-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas, and already has signed or negotiated bilateral free-trade pacts with nine countries. More>>- U.S.-Peru pact benefits both sides
Date: Monday, July 10, 2006. By Jim Kolbe
The recent passage of the Peru-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) in the Peruvian congress is a positive development in U.S. relations with South America.
PTPA is part of a larger U.S. strategy in the region. The idea is to transition to reciprocal trade agreements that benefit both sides and create long-term bilateral trade and investment from one-sided trade-preference programs intended to develop economic alternatives to coca production. More>>- Andean nations reach consensus on U.S. trade
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2006. By Gonzalo Solano, Associated Press
Andean bloc presidents agreed to chart a new course without Venezuela and urged the United States to extend trade preferences.
Bolivia's Evo Morales, Ecuador's Alfredo Palacio, Colombia's Alvaro Uribe and Peru's Alejandro Toledo signed an accord pledging to respect the rights of individual nations in the bloc to negotiate free-trade agreements with the United States. More>>- Peru's next leader vows to support free trade
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
President-elect Alan García denied media reports that he would demand a renegotiation of Peru's recently signed free-trade agreement with the United States.
The free-trade agreement, as signed, allows for any of its parties to ask for a renegotiation a few years down the road, but that would only happen ''post-free-trade agreement,'' if Peru felt in the future that the deal does it more harm than good, he said. More>>- Ecuador takes a risk in its dealings with U.S.
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Ecuador's relations with Washington have nose-dived in recent weeks, and Chávez -- not surprisingly -- has come to the rescue.
Ecuador's crisis with the United States, by far its largest trade partner, started earlier this year when Palacio's government -- facing financial difficulties and massive protests from leftist groups -- sponsored a law demanding that foreign oil companies leave a larger share of their profits in this country. More>>- Bolivia rift overshadows summit
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2006. By Constant Brand, Associated Press
European Union nations, meeting with nations from Latin America and the Caribbean, criticized Bolivia for its nationalistic policies and urged it to keep its markets open.
EU leaders warned Bolivia and Venezuela, which recently announced plans for a new tax on foreign oil firms that their increasingly nationalist policies could clip economic growth and urged them to open up their markets to promote trade. More>>- South America's union dream is falling apart
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Less than two years after South American presidents signed a solemn declaration proclaiming the birth of a 10-country Community of South America, the region is more divided than ever.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's surprise decision to quit the Community of Andean Nations last week has triggered one of the fiercest barrages of mutual accusations ever among South American leaders. More>>- Chávez abandons Andean trade bloc
Date: Monday, April 24, 2006. By Patricia Rondon Espin, Associated Press
As Venezuela moves to become a full member of Mercosur, President Hugo Chávez backed out of the Andean Community, whose member countries have welcomed free trade.
Industries opposing the free-trade deal are a small sector of the business community, but a very vocal and Venezuela can't compete against ''subsidized products'' from the United States, said Chávez, who accused Colombia and Peru of killing the trade bloc by signing free-trade pacts with Washington. More>>- Colombian tycoons wage a battle against free trade
Date: Thursday, March 2, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
The most powerful opposition to U.S.-Latin American free-trade agreements does not come from radical leftist workers and students, but from potentially damaged business tycoons.
Industries opposing the free-trade deal are a small sector of the business community, but a very vocal and politically connected one. Even excluding coffee, Colombia's biggest agricultural export, the chicken industry represents less than 9 percent of Colombia's agricultural output, while rice represents only 5 percent and corn 1.7 percent. More>>- Negotiations completed in trade, investment pact
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
The United States adds Colombia to the list of Andean countries that have finished negotiations for a trade and investment treaty with the United States.
Florida's trade with Colombia was $3.9 billion in 2004, the latest yearly statistic available from Enterprise Florida. Colombia shipped about $400 million of cut flowers to the United States last year, most of them through Miami International Airport. More>>- U.S., Peru sign free-trade agreement
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2005. By The Miami Herald
The United States and Peru establish a bilateral free-trade agreement, but agreements with other Andean nations have not yet been reached.
Peru and the United States on Wednesday wrapped up negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, although the 18-month effort fell short of the goal to forge a sweeping Andean pact that would include Colombia and Ecuador. More>>- U.S.-Andean talks put on hold
Date: Thursday, November 24, 2005. By Mark Drajem, Bloomberg News
Negotiations between the United States and Andean nations ended without the countries signing a definitive free-trade agreement.
Talks with Colombia and Ecuador ended Tuesday, and negotiators for each government said they pulled out of the discussions because they couldn't accept U.S. demands that they stiffen patent protections and allow more U.S. farm imports. More>>- Agriculture stalls U.S. trade talks
Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2005. By Mark Drajem, Bloomberg News
U.S. demands that Colombia dismantle protections for farmers would lead to increased production of illicit drugs, Colombia warns.
Negotiators from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador are in Washington to finish negotiations on a free-trade agreement with the United States this week. Those talks won't bear fruit unless the Bush administration makes more concessions to the ''sensitivities'' of Colombia's farmers, said Eduardo Munoz Gomez, Colombia's vice trade minister. More>>- Andean Pact Faces Hurdles
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2005. By Hal Weitzman, Financial Times
Disputes with us companies threaten the region's image and the future of its export boom.
Along with Colombia and Ecuador, Lima is trying to hammer out a trade deal with the US. But the alienation of foreign investors in Peru -- and in recent weeks in Ecuador, too -- is one of several obstacles to a deal. More>>- Andean countries say U.S. trade deal vital
Date: Monday, August 15, 2005. By Tyler bridges, The Miami Herald
Negotiations for a new U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement are ongoing, but the talks have fallen behind schedule.
Failure to reach a broader free-trade agreement with the United States before the accord expires at the end of 2006 would cause most of the exports and jobs to disappear, added officials from the four countries: Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador. More>>- Andean trade negotiators meet in Miami for talks
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Trade talks with three Andean countries get underway in downtown Miami, but for free-trade supporters the key issue in town is still the Congressional vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Trade negotiators from the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru met from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hotel InterContinental for the first of five days of trade talks aimed at forging an Andean Free Trade Agreement. More>>- Trade minister seeks gradual free trade
Date: Wednesday, February 09, 2005. By Dan Molinski, The Associated Press
Free trade agreement with the United States should allow for a gradual lifting of trade barriers.
Colombian products should have tariff-free access to the United States when--or even before-- American products are granted such privileges to enter Colombia. More>>- Other Trade News
- Mexican tariffs on 89 US products take effect
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009. By E. Eduardo Castillo , Associated Press Writer
U.S. officials are assessing the cost of new Mexican tariffs that take effect Thursday in retaliation for a U.S. decision to cancel a cross-border program that gave Mexican truckers access to their northern neighbor's highways.
The U.S. was required under the North American Free Trade Agreement to grant Mexican trucks full access to its highways by January 2000, but domestic opposition led U.S. legislators to delay the opening until a pilot program allowing some trucks was instituted in 2007. More>>- EU relaxes rules on 'ugly' fruits and vegetables
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008. By Associated Press Writer
It's time to welcome back the curvy zucchini, the mangled mushroom and other odd and ugly fruits and vegetables.
The European Union bid adieu Wednesday to rules that have cemented its image as an ivory tower: starting next summer, it will allow the sale of fruit and vegetables that may be crooked, bent or twisted but are fine for consumption. More>>- NAFTA enters final stage
Date: Thursday, December 20, 2007. By Jeremy Schwartz, The Miami Herald
The final lifting of trade barriers between the United States and Mexico will occur on Jan. 1. Government officials insist the measure is largely symbolic.
Farmers and activists here are planning a series of protests as NAFTA enters its final stage on New Years Day, when the last of the tariffs and quotas Mexico has imposed on imported corn, beans, milk and sugar melt away. More>>- ASEAN, EU agree to launch trade talks
Date: Friday, May 4, 2007. By Eileen Ng, Associated Press
Southeast Asian nations and the European Union agreed Friday to start free trade talks, a breakthrough after more than two years of wrangling over military-ruled Myanmar's poor human rights record.
The decision was made in Brunei where economic ministers of the 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met with their counterparts from Europe and Japan. More>>- U.S., South Korea reach free trade deal
Date: Monday, April 2, 2007. By Kelly Olsen, Associated Press
The deal, which requires approval by lawmakers in both countries, is the biggest for the United States since the North American Free Trade Agreement.
South Korea and the U.S. agreed to eliminate and lower tariffs and other trade barriers in a wide range of industrial goods and services, including financial services. The agreement also covered sectors such as e-commerce. More>>- S. Florida's international trade hits $70 billion
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2007. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
South Florida's robust trade was highly regional, with most top trade partners located in Latin America and the Caribbean.
South Florida's international trade hit $72 billion during 2006, a 9.4 percent increase over the $65.9 billion in total exports and imports the year before. More>>- Business leaders warn of battle over free-trade pacts
Date: Friday, February 9, 2007. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Business groups prepare to fight for U.S. approval of free-trade agreements with the Americas.
As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce urged the business group to gird up for the fight, battle lines are already being drawn in Washington over trade. The new Democratic majorities in both houses have raised questions about when and in what form the trade agreements can be passed. More>>- New U.S. strategy in Latin America: turn on the charm
Date: Tuesday, December 26, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, McClatchy Newspapers
The Bush administration has no such qualms about some of its sternest critics in Latin America, including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The thinking is that while these leaders don't see eye to eye with Bush, they were democratically elected and, unlike Iran or North Korea, their countries pose no obvious national security threats to U.S. interests. More>>- U.S., China trade talks highlight philosophical divide
Date: Friday, December 15, 2006. By Joe McDonald, Associated Press
As a high-level U.S. trade delegation pushed for reforms in China, Chinese officials said the nation would implement reforms at its own pace.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pushed China on Thursday to ease currency controls, appealing for help in shoring up American support for free trade. But a top Beijing official said change already was coming and complained that Americans fail to understand China. More>>- China touts trade performance ahead of talks with U.S.
Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2006. By Tim Johnson, McClatchy Newspapers
On the fifth anniversary of its entrance into the WTO, China boasted about its trade record.
Since China joined the rules-making WTO, the output of the Chinese economy has nearly doubled to $2 trillion. The nation has leapfrogged past Britain and France to become the world's fourth-largest economy. More>>- Focus on competitiveness not just trade
Date: Sunday, December 3, 2006. By Jerry Haar, The Miami Herald
Although the Republican Party was soundly trounced in the November mid-term elections, an even bigger loser was free trade.
The Doha Round of the World Trade Organization is stalled, the Free Trade Area of the Americas is comatose, congressional ratification of U.S. free-trade agreements with Peru and Colombia is unlikely and renewal of the Trade Promotion Authority is highly doubtful. More>>- Brazil emerging as global trade leader
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2006. By Jack Chang, McClatchy News Service
Seeking to move stalled trade negotiations, Brazil is fast stepping to the forefront as a global trading power along with the aid of a unified coalition of nations known as the G-20.
Brazil's leadership will continue Wednesday, when the leaders of India and South Africa come to Brasilia for the first summit of what Brazilian officials say is a ''south-south'' coalition of developing countries. The goal, officials say, is to foster more trade among such countries rather than rely on U.S. and European markets. More>>- Trade surplus pressures yuan
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2006. By Joe McDonald, Associated Press
China's trade surplus grew in August and has fueled demands by Washington and other trading partners for Beijing to raise the value of its currency, the yuan.
The August surplus climbed to $18.8 billion, the official Xinhua News Agency reported, citing data from the Chinese customs agency. That was well above the old record of $14.6 billion set in July. More>>- WTO talks remain on hold
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2006. By Alan Clendenning, Associated Press
The EU trade commissioner does not foresee talks on a global trade agreement happening until late this year or early next year.
The EU's stance that the United States blocked the trade talks through reluctance to slash subsidies for American farmers -- charges hotly denied by U.S. officials who say the EU hasn't gone far enough on farm subsidies. More>>- G-20 aims to salvage trade talks despite impasse
Date: Sunday, September 10, 2006. By Michael Astor, Associated Press
An optimistic meeting among the Group of 20 emerging-market nations marked an attempt to resume the stalled Doha Round of global trade talks.
The Doha Round -- named after the Qatari capital where it was started in 2001 -- is aimed at slashing trade barriers across the planet. But the Doha talks stalled in July over the question of rich nations' subsidies for agriculture. More>>- WTO chief criticizes regional free-trade deals
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2006. By Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press
Separate regional free-trade agreements will not work in the long run for China, WTO chief Pascal Lamy warned on Wednesday.
WTO chief Pascal Lamy on Wednesday warned that China's pursuit of separate bilateral and regional free-trade agreements would harm its long-term commercial interests. China is in negotiations with Australia and several other countries and trade blocs on such agreements, seeking to leverage better trade terms for its fast-expanding economy. More>>- A new Nicaragua grows as exports boom
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2006. By Tim Rogers, The Miami Herald
Nicaragua's reviving productive sector leads Central America in export growth, but the nation still has a lot of catching up to do.
Fueled by nontraditional products -- everything from peanuts and cheeses to frozen beef and hammocks -- Nicaraguan exports have increased by an impressive 47 percent over the last three years, according to national export-promotion group NICAEXPORT. More>>- Trade talks off to shaky start
Date: Friday, June 30, 2006. By Jane Wardell, Associated Press
Members of the World Trade Organization met to negotiate a long-delayed global trade treaty but were split over issues.
The world's most powerful trading nations gathering Thursday to hammer out a long-delayed global trade treaty spent most of the first day finger-pointing -- leaving little apparent hope of a breakthrough when official talks begin today. More>>- Bill easing Cuba sales rule OK'd
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2006. By Pablo Bachelet, The Miami Herald
The U.S. House approved an amendment to ease restrictions on Cuban payments for U.S. agricultural exports, but rejected two others that would have ended the trade embargo or eased student travel to the island.
Supporters of the embargo say the votes show Congress now firmly rejects easing most trade and travel sanctions on Cuba. Until 2004, many amendments seeking to overturn family travel restrictions passed on the floor and were taken out only after Bush threatened to veto. More>>- South Florida awaits change in Cuba
Date: Thursday, June 15, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
While waiting for Fidel Castro to fall, the Miami business community has developed an analysis of the trade advantages South Florida will have and the potential competition it will face.
Cuba's future may not be predictable, but the South Florida business community now has a much clearer picture of the island economy and the challenges ahead than it did when the Soviet bloc first began to unravel and undermine the Cuban economy. More>>- Trade group promotes ties
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2006. By Laura Wides-Munoz, Associated Press
The Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce's Expo Venezuela in Miami Beach highlights the booming trade relationship between the United States and Venezuela.
Venezuela was the 13th-largest U.S. trading partner. The United States had a $27.56 billion trade deficit with Venezuela. Nearly 90 percent of the gap came from the petroleum-related industries, as Venezuela supplied 12 percent of U.S. crude oil imports last year. More>>- The Runaway Trade Giant
Date: Monday, April 24, 2006. By BusinessWeek
Piracy, currency valuation, industry subsidies. As its impact on the U.S. economy expands, China is also growing less vulnerable to American pressure on key issues.
The U.S. has been just as stymied in its efforts to force a revaluation of the yuan. American manufacturers claim the yuan is undervalued by as much as 40%, giving mainland exports a huge price edge. More>>- China's Washington Gambit
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006. By David Cohen, BusinessWeek
Hu Jintao will try to smooth over differences on his U.S. trip, but Beijing will continue to set its own pace for currency flexibility.
Hu isn't expected to deviate from Beijing's often-repeated intention to move toward gradually increasing currency flexibility, but without another revaluation of the 2.1% magnitude announced last July. U.S. legislators and industry groups have stepped up political pressure for greater appreciation as a way to narrow the record $202 billion bilateral trade gap posted in 2005. More>>- Bush, Hu pledge cooperation, don't get far
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006. By Jennifer Loven, Associated Press
President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao pledged cooperation in reining in the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea and resolving troubling trade disputes of their own.
The discussions touched on American concerns about Beijing's human rights record and the global energy impact of the communist giant's rapidly expanding economy, as well as China's sensitivity over the status of Taiwan. More>>- China's president meets U.S. business leaders
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2006. By Elizabeth M. Gillespie, Associated Press
Chinese President Hu Jintao tried to soothe trade tensions with the United States as he met with the leaders of Boeing and Microsoft.
Chinese President Hu Jintao called Wednesday for fewer trade barriers and closer ties between his country and the United States, while defending China's heavily criticized policies on trade, currency and energy. More>>- Chinese president to face big issues in U.S.
Date: Sunday, April 16, 2006. By Kebin G. Hall, The Miami Herald
When China's president makes his first state visit to Washington this week, public attention will be focused mostly on economic disputes.
Congress is threatening to impose import tariffs, the Treasury Department is considering branding China a currency manipulator, and the U.S. trade representative just filed a complaint accusing China of distorting global trade in auto parts. More>>- China: Our goal is economic
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2006. By Tim Johnson, Knight Ridder News
Despite strengthening trade ties, China said it had no plans to expand its influence in Latin America.
China's trade with Latin America has more than doubled to about $50 billion a year since 2000, still a small fraction of U.S. annual trade of about $800 billion with the region. More>>- U.S., China discuss piracy, beef ban
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2006. By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press
Efforts to address trade disparities set the stage for a productive visit to the Unites States by Chinese President Hu Jintao next week.
China has agreed to crack down on copyright piracy of American computer programs and lift a ban on beef from the United States as part of an effort to reduce a record $202 billion trade gap. More>>- U.S., Peru to sign agreement
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2006. By Mark Drajem and Alex Emery, Bloomberg News
The stalled U.S.-Peruvian trade agreement will be signed at a ceremony today despite new uncertainty over political support for the deal in Peru.
Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, who favors free trade, is required by law to step down as president in July, and the two candidates vying to replace him oppose the trade accord. More>>- South Florida two-way trade increases nearly 12%
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Big ticket items and the rising price of imported fuel helped lift South Florida's two-way trade to almost $66 billion in 2005.
According to WorldCity, Brazil and Venezuela held the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in terms of two-way shipments, including almost $9 billion in two-way trade for Brazil and $4.3 billion for Venezuela. More>>- Next Florida FTAA leader named
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
A Latin American specialist will head the Florida FTAA, as its president, Jorge L. Arrizurieta, departs for consulting work at the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt.
The change in leadership at Florida FTAA comes as efforts have stalled to forge a hemispheric trade pact, known as the Free Trade Area of the Americas. FTAA negotiators have not met since February 2004 and missed their January 2005 deadline to complete negotiations. More>>- Free-trade agenda has risen, is 'up and walking'
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2006. By Andres Oppenheimer, The Miami Herald
Last week's completion of U.S. free trade talks with Colombia -- and the likely signing of similar deals with Ecuador and Panama in coming weeks.
Four months after the disastrous 34-country Summit of the Americas last November in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in which Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez made big headlines by proclaiming that the U.S.-backed free-trade plan would be ''buried for good'' at the meeting, U.S. officials are boasting that the free-trade agenda is enjoying new momentum. More>>- Food exports to cuba dipped by 11 percent in 2005
Date: Saturday, February 25, 2006. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
U.S. agribusiness exported $350 million, down from $392 million the year before.
The cause of the decline was in dispute. The Cuban government blamed the Bush administration for increased red tape in obtaining export licenses. Others said the government of President Fidel Castro had turned to other friendlier sources, including China and Venezuela, for food shipments. More>>- Free trade has turned into a failure
Date: Friday, February 17, 2006. By Patrick J. Buchanan, Creators Syndicate
Last year, the United States ran a $202 billion trade deficit with China, the largest ever between two nations.
Now that the U.S. trade deficit for 2005 has come in at $726 billion, the fourth straight all-time record, a question arises. What constitutes failure for a free-trade policy? Or is there no such thing? Is free trade simply right no matter the results? More>>- Mercosur faces new challenges
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2006. By Alan Clendenning, Associated Press
Economic analysts say a side deal between Brazil and Argentina runs contrary to the spirit of free trade and could seriously weaken Mercosur.
After heated opposition from Brazilian manufacturers, the agriculture minister said Brazil may use the new bilateral trade dispute resolution process to bypass Mercosur rules and restrict imports of Argentine wine, wheat and rice. More>>- Brazil still striving to make the 'great leap forward'
Date: Friday, February 10, 2006. By Chris Sabatini and Michele Valadao Levy, The Council of the Americas
In the last three years, Brazil's exports to the world have doubled and, more important, through an aggressive effort to open new markets, Brazil's export markets have diversified.
Despite significant and sustained efforts by Brazilian officials to raise Brazil's international-trade profile, it seemed all anyone wanted to discuss during recent World Economic Forum meetings in Davos was China and India. More>>- WTO: EU broke rules with ban
Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2006. By Sam Cage, Associated Press
A World Trade Organization panel said the European Union's moratorium on biotech foods violated international trade rules.
The complainants claim that there is no scientific evidence for the EU's actions and that the moratorium has been an unfair barrier to producers of biotech foods who want to export to the EU. More>>- Brazil may fight O.J. tariffs
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2006. By Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Warren Giles, Bloomberg News
Brazil may fight a U.S. government decision to maintain import tariffs on orange juice at the World Trade Organization.
Brazil, the world's No. 1 orange juice producer, dropped a WTO challenge against a Florida state tax on imports in May 2004 after the state cut duty to about $13 per ton from $40. More>>- Progress is unlikely at WTO summit
Date: Saturday, December 17, 2005. By Malcolm Foster, Associated Press
Protesters, impasses and a lack of consensus -- welcome to the Hong Kong WTO trade summit.
Delegates from the WTO's 149 member nations will try to hash out a draft agreement today that likely will be their last chance to reach compromises on a slew of thorny issues, including opening likely will be their last chance to reach compromises on a slew of thorny issues, including opening farm markets, the biggest obstacle. More>>- Delegates of poor nations unite at WTO summit
Date: Friday, December 16, 2005. By Rajesh Mahapatra, Associated Press
Top trade officials from more than 110 poor countries strive to form a united stance on trade negotiations.
Developing countries were closing ranks Thursday to push their agenda at this week's global trade talks as the United States and the European Union traded charges with time running out to broker a global trade deal that could lift millions out of poverty. More>>- Farming issues take center stage at talks
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2005. By Elaine Kurt Enbach, Associated Press
Many attending the WTO talks took aim at the European Union, saying it must pledge to open its markets further to foreign agricultural products and slash subsidies.
By dollar value, farming accounts for only a small slice of the world economic pie, but its critical role in the lives of billions of people has thrust it to the fore of WTO talks being held in Hong Kong this week. An impasse over the issue threatens to block a global trade agreement. More>>- WTO delegates expect unproductive summit
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2005. By Sam Cage, Associated Press
Impasses over farm trade makes for a bleak outlook as trade delegates gather in Hong Kong.
An impasse between rich and poor nations over farm trade threatens to undermine progress at this week's World Trade Organization meeting, trade ministers said Monday as delegates from 149 countries gathered to work toward an eventual global treaty that would cut trade barriers. More>>- Nations gear up for Hong Kong summit
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2005. By Sam Cage, Associated Press
Uncertainties abound as World Trade Organization leaders gear up for next week's Doha round summit in Hong Kong.
Talks leading up to the summit have reached an impasse over agricultural trade, with many negotiators blaming the European Union's unwillingness to further cut farm subsidies and tariffs. More>>- Free Trade: Forget The Fast Lane
Date: Monday, November 21, 2005. By Paul Magnusson, BusinessWeek
No one ever said that the fight for free trade was easy, especially in light of rising public opposition to globalization.
November has turned out to be a cruel month for U.S. multinationals fighting for a new global trade agreement. President Bush's Nov. 3-4 trip to a regional trade summit in Argentina ended in rioting in the streets of Mar del Plata and failure at the negotiating table. More>>- EU plans bigger cutback in banana tariff dispute
Date: Friday, November 18, 2005. By Duncan Hooper and Warren Giles, Bloomberg News
The European Union plans a bigger cut in banana duties to end a long running trade battle with the U.S. and Latin American nations.
The European Union, seeking to end a nine-year dispute with the U.S. and Latin American nations over the level of banana import tariffs, scaled back its proposed duty by 4.3 percent, two people who have seen the proposal said. More>>- Trade meeting will be crucial
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2005. By Pamela Cox, World Bank
Latin America is one of the most liberalized regions in the world, but to expand the benefits of trade to millions of families, progress at the Doha development round of trade talks is essential.
Among developing regions, Latin America is a leader in trade liberalization, often embarking on reforms autonomously. Latin American countries are also among the most active in multilateral trade negotiations. More>>- Bush can expect more challenges on trip to Asia
Date: Monday, November 14, 2005. By Daniel Sneider, The Miami Herald
After his rough ride in Latin America, President Bush's weeklong swing through Northeast Asia this week should feel and look like smooth sailing.
Beneath the polite surface, however, there is no less a challenge in Asia to the United States' claim to global leadership. In every direction, there are reminders of the limits of U.S. power. And there is little evidence that the Bush administration has any clearer policy in Asia than in Latin America. More>>- EU, Brazil point fingers at each other
Date: Thursday, November 10, 2005. By Frances Williams, Financial Times
High-level trade talks between the EU and Brazil raise even more questions about the success of the Doha round of WTO talks scheduled for next year.
Putting a brave face on their failure to produce a breakthrough in three days of high-level talks in London and Geneva, ministers from the United States, EU, Brazil and other leading trading nations said they remained committed to concluding an ambitious Doha round accord by the end of 2006 and would work for the best possible deal at next month's WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong. More>>- Pass the guacamole
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2005. By Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times
With barriers lifted, Mexican avocado growers enjoy boom times as they export their fruit to meet the demands of the U.S. market.
What's driving growth in avocado exports is the elimination of trade barriers and sanitary bans that for most of the last century kept the U.S. market off limits to Mexican fruit. The boost also is due to the surprisingly strong growth in U.S. consumption. More>>- NAFTA nations: U.S. flouts rules
Date: Friday, October 14, 2005. By Mark Drajem, Bloomberg News
Mexico and Canada say the United States violates the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The debate threatens to fray the trade pact and damage diplomatic relations.
Canada and Mexico are escalating their allegations that the United States is flouting the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement in order to protect domestic producers. More>>- In days, Brazil to decide on sanctions against U.S.
Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2005. By Warren Giles, Bloomberg News
The country will decide whether to seek sanctions for illegal subsidies to U.S. farmers. The sanctions will not be necessary if the United States complies with a WTO ruling.
Brazil will decide within days whether to pursue trade sanctions against American imports in retaliation for illegal cotton subsidies to U.S. farmers, Brazilian Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodrigues said. More>>- Florida citrus reaps juicy tariffs
Date: Thursday, August 18, 2005. By Jane Bussey, The Miami Herald
Round two of the citrus wars finds Florida's industry prevailing over Brazilian competitors in a complaint over exporting orange juice at unfairly low prices.
The Florida citrus industry scored a preliminary success in its battle with Brazilian competitors Wednesday when the U.S. Commerce Department slapped punitive import duties as high as 60 percent on Brazilian orange juice imports. More>>- Free trade with Thailand worries U.S. sugar growers
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2005. By Larry Lipman, Cox News Service
Free trade threatens to put domestic sugar growers out of business. Producers in the U.S. fear what a trade pact with Thailand would mean for their bottom line.
America's sugar industry describes it as CAFTA on steroids. The ''it'' is a free-trade agreement being negotiated this week in Great Falls, Mont. -- estimated population 56,000 -- between the United States and Thailand, one of the world's largest sugar-exporting nations. More>>- Sweet Sorrow
Date: Saturday, June 25, 2005. By Richard Lapper, Financial Times
The Caribbean is shocked as the EU proposed the first price cut to end their sugar regime.
It was never going to be easy for the English-speaking Caribbean to accept dismantling of the sugar protection regime that has shielded one of its core industries from international competition for much of its long history. More>>- Cuba buys less U.S. food
Date: Friday, June 24, 2005. By Vanessa Arrington, Associated Press
Cuba is aiming to match last year's purchases of $475 million in U.S. farm sales, far short of its original intent.
Cuba will spend less than two-thirds of the money it had planned to invest in American farm goods this year because of increased U.S. restrictions, Cuba's top import official said Thursday. More>>- China accused of currency manipulation
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2005. By Jeannine Aversa, Associated Press
The Bush administration accused China of unfair trade practices, contending its currency system puts U.S. companies at a big competitive disadvantage.
The Bush administration warned China on Tuesday it must swiftly overhaul its currency system or face the likelihood of being accused of manipulations to gain an unfair trade advantage -- with economic sanctions possibly following that. More>>- U.S. warns China to overhaul currency
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2005. By Jeannine Aversa, Associated Press
China could be cited as a currency manipulator and face economic sanctions unless it moves swiftly to overhaul its currency system.
Manufacturers and other critics, including Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Congress, contend that China's currency system puts U.S. companies at a big competitive disadvantage and has contributed to the loss of U.S. factory jobs. More>>- Leaders endorse free trade
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2005. By Tarek El-Tablawy, Associated Press
South American and Arab leaders join in endorsing free-trade rules that benefit the poor and greater cooperation between the two regions.
Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, a socialist, and American-backed Iraqi President Jalal Talabani were joined dozens of other nations in approving a declaration at the end of the two-day Summit of South American and Arab Countries that also denounced terrorism, U.S. sanctions against Syria and Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories. More>>- Trade gap hits lowest level in six months
Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2005. By Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press
The U.S. trade deficit fell sharply in March to $54.99 billion, the lowest level in six months, as U.S. exports climbed to an all-time high.
Even with the big improvement in March, the deficit through the first three months of this year is still running at an annual rate of $696 billion, 12.8 percent higher than the $617.08 billion record set for all of 2004. More>>- Trade compromise OK'd
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2005. By Sam Cage, Associated Press
Brazil agrees to a compromise deal on farm goods tariffs. The agreement has to be approved by all 148 WTO countries.
Trade ministers agreed on a compromise deal dealing with farm goods tariffs Wednesday, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said, breaking a stalemate that has held back negotiations on a global trade deal. More>>- WTO chief: Negotiators must make
Date: Monday, March 21, 2005. By Sam Cage, The Associated Press
Negotiators need to make significant progress in a short period of time if they are to meet a deadline for a wide-ranging treaty to liberalize global commerce.
WTO members are aiming to produce an accord at a year-end summit in Hong Kong, which could lead to a binding trade liberalization treaty by the end of 2006. More>>- G-20 wins more support on farm subsidies
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2005. By Rajesh Mahapatra, The Associated Press
A group of 20 developing nations won additional support Saturday for their demand that farm subsidies in rich countries be eliminated within five years.
A two-day gathering of top trade officials of the G-20 nations, led by India and Brazil, ended Saturday with members getting a boost from African and Caribbean nations for their declaration asking the United States and the European Union to end all export subsidies to farmers by 2010. More>>- Both sides claim victory in WTO name fight
Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2005. By Jonathan Fowler, The Associated Press
Both sides claimed victory Tuesday in a trade fight pitting the United States and Australia against the European Union, centering on the right of foreign exporters to use geographic food names such as Florida oranges or Idaho potatoes to describe their products in European markets.
The United States and Australia had argued that the EU was breaching the rules of global commerce by discriminating against their producers by not granting them the right to use "geographical indications" for their products. More>>- NAFTA At 11The Growing Integration of North American Agriculture
Date: Monday, February 28, 2005. By Steven Zahniser, Economic Research Service/USDA
In the 11 years since implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the agricultural sectors of Canada, Mexico, and the United States have become much more integrated.
Agricultural trade among the NAFTA countries has grown dramatically, and Canadian and Mexican industries that rely on U.S. agricultural inputs have expanded. Mexican produce to U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption is also growing. More>>- Free trade helped Chile, data show
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2005. By Tyler Bridges, The Miami Herald
U.S. exports to Chile rose by more than 34 percent in the first year of the U.S.Chile Free Trade Agreement, the first increase since 1995.
More than a year after a landmark freetrade agreement between the United states and Chile eliminated tariffs on thousands of goods, figures show that the deal began to pay off immediately. The results are encouraging other South American countries to sign similar agreements, a Chilean official said. More>>