Trade protectionism no savior of crisis Nov 8, 2009
The upcoming China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) is obviously a significant event attracting worldwide attention. The CAFTA, due for operation on Jan. 1, 2010, will cover a population of 1. (Xinhuanet, China)
GOP organizes 12-hour online town hall for Thursday Nov 5, 2009
Patriot Act Reauthorization , CAFTA, Katrina Hurricane-relief Appropriations, Head Start Funding, Line-item Rescission, Oman Trade Agreement, Military Tribunals, Electronic Surveillance, Head Start Funding, COPS Funding, Funding the REAL ID Act (National ID), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance, Thought Crimes Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, Peru Free Trade Agreement, Economic Stimulus, Farm Bill (Veto Override), Warrantless Searches, Employee Verification... (TheHill.com)
The big loser in the Honduras political crisis? The economy. Nov 4, 2009
The Central America Free Trade Agreement known as DR-CAFTA accounted for $46 billion in trade last year, an increase of 30 percent in three years. Exports from the US to the region increased 55 percent in the same time period, according to the Honduran American Chamber of Commerce. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Click to read:Sarah Palin's Brutal Education Nov 3, 2009
At the end of one cram session, Palin asked her advisers to run through the various trade agreements, including "who's in NAFTA, who's in CAFTA," and so forth. It seemed an unremarkable request at the time. (CBS News)
Yuan gaining currencybeyond China's borders Oct 29, 2009
The push for the regionalization of yuan appears to be gathering steam ahead of the scheduled launch of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) on January 1, 2010. Under the terms of CAFTA, there will be zero-tariff for 90% of the products traded between China and ASEAN countries and "substantial opening" in the service trade market ... The launch of CAFTA will provide momentum for broader regional growth and may facilitate a decoupling from the West, as the yuan plays a more prominent role in... (Asia Times Online)
Supercharging trade relations with Asean Oct 24, 2009
Four months later, the Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) made its first public appearance to speak about the fund, which has become one of the highlights as China-Asean cooperation reaches another milestone with the realisation of the China-Asean Free Trade Area (CAFTA) next year ... Eximbank chairman Li Ruogu said the launch of the fund was timely, as next years CAFTA would require advanced financial support to keep up with increasing trade exchanges ... From Jan 1 next year, under the... (The Star Online, Malaysia)
China may push for yuan at Asean Oct 24, 2009
BEIJING: China is set to use the Asean meet to sell the idea of making the yuan an in 00004000 ternational currency. It is using the sense of uncertainty over the US dollar to sell a new dream of enlarged regional trade, financial support from Beijing and reduced dependence on the volatile dollar. (India Times)
China-ASEAN FTA to accelerate RMB regionalization Oct 24, 2009
NANNING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese currency yuan is expected to play a bigger role in regional trade as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) is to be realized on January 1 of 2010. "The upcoming CAFTA, which boasts the largest population among all the world's FTAs and allows zero-tariff on 90 percent of products traded between China and ASEAN, will quicken the process of RMB regionalization, "Xu Ningning, executive secretary general of China-ASEAN Business Council, told Xinhua at the... (Xinhuanet, China)
A Free Trade Area for world's one third population Oct 23, 2009
Under a series of agreements between China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) is due to be established on Jan. 1, 2010 ... Liang Liqiang, sales supervisor of a Guangxi-based tableware and chinaware export company with a history of almost 20 years, told Xinhua at the expo they would export low and middle-end products to ASEAN countries right after the establishment of CAFTA. ... "China-ASEAN partnership looks promising, and CAFTA is a great... (Xinhuanet, China)
Recovery at hand as China, ASEAN growing economically closer Oct 23, 2009
The bilateral trade volume had grown three folds since the two sides started to build the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area(CAFTA) six years ago, from 59 billion U.S. dollars in 2003 to 112 billion U.S. dollars last year, according to official figures ... The region is expecting more momentum for economic recovery and further prosperity with the China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation starting operation by the end of 2009 and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) fully established from 2010 ...... (Xinhuanet, China)
China-ASEAN Fund to kick off soon Oct 21, 2009
NANNING, Oct 21 (Xinhua) -- The long-planned China-ASEAN Fund on Investment Cooperation will soon lift its curtain as the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) drawing near, a senior financial official said here Wednesday ... The launch of the fund is just in time as the upcoming CAFTA will need advanced financial ties to keep up with increasing trade exchanges, he said. (Xinhuanet, China)
Protesters Rally At Obama Fundraiser Oct 16, 2009
A third group, the Stop NAFTA/CAFTA Coalition, said it would call on the president to end the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which the group says have increased poverty and inequality. But the president was given at least one welcome message: The restaurant Lefty O'Doul's, located across from the St. Francis, planned to fly a 30-foot banner welcoming "the eighth lefty president of the United States.". (KCRA 3, CA)
Regain greatness putting people first, building American goods Oct 14, 2009
Dan wrote on Oct 12, 2009 2:55 PM:" The demands placed on business by the unions have caused many to go off-shore and to out source to other countries. That is just a fact. When the cost of health care for retirees is the highest cost in the production of an item there is something askew.The unions are the ones that have gotten Oregon into the financial mess we are in with the demands on the PERS system. Once the taxpayers say no to increases Oregon will be in the same position that our neighbor... (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
Producer group rallies local beef farmers to be vocal about issues Sep 26, 2009
American markets are also seeing a significant change since the advent of trade agreements -- like NAFTA, CAFTA and others -- that opened up the U.S. to a flood of beef from Canada, Mexico and other international countries. One case that illustrates what can happen when foreign beef isn't in the market came after mad cow disease was found about six years ago in Canada. (Fulton Sun, MO)
Read the story Sep 21, 2009
1994 NAFTA, CAFTA, SAFTA, Asian Free Trade Agreement and Amendments. H.R.4655, 1998, Declaration of Current War At Iraq. (CBS News -- Evening News)
Free trade: It's good economics Sep 16, 2009
Labor friendly laws are those like NAFTA and CAFTA, laws that make goods cheaper for working families to buy. Tariffs, quotas, and other favorite union legislation levy taxes on imports, actually increasing prices for workers. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
America needs 'labor friendly laws' Sep 16, 2009
Trade agreements such as NAFTA, CAFTA and favored-nation status given to China without enforced human rights agreements only allow multinational corporations to shop for the cheapest labor from those more exploitable. Ending these trade agreements and passing labor friendly laws such as the Employee Free Choice Act would go a long way toward getting Americans back to work and correcting our problems. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Pacific Rim Mining Announces Fiscal 2009 Year End Results Jul 25, 2009
- In April 2009 Pac Rim Cayman LLC ("Pac Rim"), a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pacific Rim, filed international arbitration proceedings against the Government of El Salvador (the "Government") under the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States of America Free Trade Agreement ("CAFTA") in its own name and on behalf of its two wholly-owned El Salvadoran enterprises, Pacific Rim El Salvador, Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable ("PRES") and Dorado Exploraciones,... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Chinese FM stresses new areas of growth in ASEAN-China co-op Jul 23, 2009
China and ASEAN have completed negotiations on the China-ASEAN Investment Agreement, paving the way for the full establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) in 2010. The ASEAN on Monday appreciated China's active role in developing transportation infrastructure between the two sides and welcomed the establishment of the 10 billion U.S. dollar fund for bilateral investment cooperation. (Xinhuanet, China)
Lawmakers Meet With Kirk to Press for New Trade Policies Jul 9, 2009
Kirk s biggest concern with their bill was a provision that would require the Government Accountability Office to review NAFTA, CAFTA and the World Trade Organization, Michaud said. Kirk s concern was that that would result in stopping trade for two to three years, which Michaud said was inaccurate. (Roll Call)
King dazzles crowd Jul 1, 2009
gopflame wrote on Jun 29, 2009 11:22 AM:" Good article. I do believe Robert Portman will not even get thru the Republican primary. Thomas Ganley, a businessman from Cuyahoga will be officially kicking off his campaign on July 1st. Mr. Ganley is the alternative to a Congressman who supported NAFTA, CAFTA and normalization of trade with China. ( At a cost of 3 million U.S. jobs 250,000 right here in the buckeye state.) Destroying the manufacturing base in the great state of Ohio is not the legacy... (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
The Economics Behind the Honduras Coup Jun 30, 2009
Even the 2006 Central American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. which was expected to boost trade and draw millions in foreign investment to Honduras and five other countries in the region has yet to bear fruit. Honduras is the largest Central American supplier of textiles and garments to the U.S. and sends more than half of its exports there, but sales have dropped because of slowing international demand. (BusinessWeek)
Bill to Force Renegotiation of Pending Trade Agreements in House Jun 25, 2009
The working group has opposed free-trade agreements, including the Central American Free Trade Agreement and the pending pacts. We are looking to stand for something, Michaud said. (Roll Call)
Kennedy wants to extend Presidential negotating authority (3) Jun 21, 2009
CAFTA is good for Minnesota agriculture as a whole, benefiting Minnesota's six largest agricultural commodities and holding sugar harmless for the life of the current farm bill. Comments. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Textile smuggling undercuts U.S. industry, Congress to be told Jun 18, 2009
Four years ago, President George W. Bush toured the R.L. Stowe textile plant in Belmont, N.C., to reassure workers that CAFTA would not hurt their jobs. This past winter, the plant shut its doors. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
TRT names four candidates for Gaylord board May 26, 2009
Langdale has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, when he focused on ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. He was also president of , the U.S. subsidiary of , the largest hotel management company in Latin America. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
* Constructing Asias missing links Apr 16, 2009
That missions highlight was my dialogue with President Ma Ying-jeou (^E), who stressed the importance of connecting Taiwan to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) in the light of warmer relations developing between the mainland and Taiwan ... Unfortunately, some analysts suggest that a Taiwan-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement like CAFTA may not yet be possible, so, in the interim, the Ma administration is striving to achieve separate free-trade agreements with various members of ASEAN.. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Another View: A roadblock to Mexico Apr 1, 2009
Thoughts I confess wrote on Mar 30, 2009 6:05 PM:" Again...revolving doors. I have no sympathy for the Mexican truckers or their crooked companies (who are also logistically involved in unspoken illegal drug running/stolen property from the U.S. side (trucks&farm equipment/undocumented human transport/black-market ordnance acquisitions as part of their operations.)I dont need to have Mexican strawberries year round, or Chilean grapes that are always sour and have low-sugar countsno matter... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Federalism’s principles lost Mar 26, 2009
""It opposes the United Nations, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and other free trade agreements. ""Ezra Taft Benson, a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encouraged people to join it" ". (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
El Salvador victor tries to reassure opponents Mar 18, 2009
Mr. Funes has said he will keep El Salvador in the Central American Free Trade Agreement and retain the dollar as the country's currency. He has also sent a strong message that he intends to continue El Salvador's close relationship with the United States. (International Herald Tribune)
El Salvador's Left Wins with the Ballot, Not the Bullet Mar 17, 2009
He also assuaged voter fears by convincing his own party to drop its insistence on lifting El Salvador's amnesty for civil-war crimes, on revising the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and on reversing El Salvador's 2001 adoption of the U.S. dollar as its currency. ARENA, too, has come a long way since the 1980s, when its founder, Roberto d'Aubuisson, sponsored death squads that terrorized the nation and , Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, an outspoken champion of El Salvador's... (Time.com)
Brown urges U.S. to shun protectionism Mar 5, 2009
When Congress voted in 2005 to approve the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which involved much smaller trading partners in much greater poverty, only 23 percent of Democratic senators and 7 percent of Democratic representatives supported it. Since 2005, congressional Democratic views against free trade have intensified. (Insight on the News)
Big Labor’s Girl Feb 24, 2009
25, and was a leading opponent of the Central American Free Trade Agreement and of giving the President fast track authority to negotiate trade deals. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Solis proposed a one-time $300 tax rebate for all low-income workers, regardless of their citizenship status. (Human Events Online)
* EDITORIAL: Ma ignores the fears of millions Feb 24, 2009
In October 2007, Costa Rica held a referendum on whether to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The country was deeply divided over the matter and was under pressure from the US to vote yes. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Protectionist Language Stirs Controversy Feb 19, 2009
What this means, Corsi wrote, is "free-trade presidents, now stretching from Carter to Obama, have won. With the added language, NAFTA, CAFTA and the World Trade Organization will continue to trump 'Buy American' efforts to support the struggling U.S. worker.". Arthur Stamoulis, director of the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, told the Los Angeles Times that "Obama promised to support 'Buy American' legislation. The fact that he's hedging on this is not promising," he said. (Townhall.com)
Civil Rights Leaders, NAACP, Unions, Clergy Award Sen. Burr, Rep. Coble 'Hypocrisy Award' Feb 17, 2009
He even supported the Central America Free Trade Agreement after pledging to vote against it. Burr has also supported privatizing Social Security, voted against expanding health coverage for children and opposed lowering prescription drug costs for senior citizens. (PR Newswire)
Union protesters picket Rite Aid Feb 15, 2009
touchofgrey wrote on Feb 14, 2009 11:16 AM:" It appears that our educational system is already failing; look at the way people think and try to express themselves!! Unions did help pave the way for american forefathers in this country; unions raised my parents and grandparents!! Todays need for unions, especially for whats left for workers in America, is more vital than ever! NAFTA; CAFTA; India; China!?? Legislation has now passed to hinder an Americans chance at making a decent living, giving... (Longview Daily News, WA)
To the Editor: Spineless stimulus package offered Feb 13, 2009
Troll wrote on Feb 13, 2009 12:32 AM:" Aspasia (Obviously a Republican) and Sugarcane (Democrat) still don't get it. The two parties need to start working together, until they do our economy and country will suffer. Bob has a valid point. NAFTA and CAFTA seem to be hurting our economy and need to be re-negotiated. What is in the past is done and we only have the future. Our leaders need to work together to solve this mess NOW! ". sugarcane wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:59 PM:" Aspasia, Your going to... (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Commercial Break Feb 8, 2009
Gregg voted for the Central American Free Trade Agreement, whereas Obama opposed it. On the other hand, Obama supported the Peru Free Trade Act, which many fellow Democrats opposed. (Slate)
