Costa Rica signs free trade agreement
Costa Rica's president on Wednesday signed into law a free trade agreement with its Central American neighbors, the United States and the Dominican Republic. At the signing ceremony, President Oscar Arias called on lawmakers to pass a package of 13 complementary laws that need to be approved before March 2008 for the Central American Free Trade Agreement to take effect. CNBC, November 21, 2007
British Firms Urge Action on Climate
In an unprecedented joint effort, 18 of Britain's top companies, including carmakers, airlines, retailers and banks, are publishing a report on Monday in which they promise to develop new products and services that allow customers to cut their carbon emissions. The initiative is also intended to send a message to companies around the world to move climate change higher on their agendas. New York Times, November 26, 2007
Malaysia, India agree to start FTA talks next year: report
Malaysia and India will begin negotiating a free trade agreement in January 2008, a report said Saturday. Rafidah Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister was quoted as saying a bilateral trade pact could boost Malaysia's exports to India by 1.3 times, or $12 billion, by 2012. Yahoo News USA, November 24, 2007
Smaller companies grab bigger share of surging U.S. exports
Smaller companies are grabbing a bigger share of U.S. exports, making up for some of the jobs lost as multinational firms move operations overseas. American businesses without international subsidiaries accounted for 46 percent of sales abroad in 2005, up from 38 percent in 1999, according to a U.S. Commerce Department analysis published in the past week. The trend is likely to continue, helping cushion the economy from the worst housing recession in 16 years, economists said. International Herald Tribune, November 23, 2007
Trade Policy
USTR Schwab Visits Cambodia To Hold First Ministerial Meeting Under Trade And Investment Framework Agreement
Washington, D.C. - United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab met with Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh today in Cambodia to discuss ways to broaden and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries. The visit is the first to the country by a U.S. Trade Representative and included a bilateral meeting under the U.S.-Cambodia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). Under the TIFA dialogue, Ambassador Schwab and Minister Prasidh discussed Cambodia's recent strong economic growth, its domestic reform agenda, and implementation of legal and trade reforms committed to under Cambodia's 2004 accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). USTR, November 21, 2007
U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement
A bilateral TPA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
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U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber Position: Support
Status: Passed U.S. House; pending U.S. Senate action
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U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. A U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
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U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries and is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
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