Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Featured Headlines

UPDATE: Senate Just Passes U.S.-Peru FTA 77-18

Debate begins on U.S.-Peru free trade agreement
The U.S. Senate began debate on Monday on a free trade agreement with Peru the Bush administration hopes will be its first legislative trade victory since Democrats took control of Congress in January. The House voted 285-132 in November to approve the agreement, which locks in Peru's duty-free access to the U.S. market while phasing out the country's tariffs on U.S. farm and manufactured goods. The Washington Post, December 3, 2007

Forum Highlights California-Japan Trade Relations
The ever-changing business environment in California and the importance of the state’s trade with Japan received a close look recently when California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg addressed the 14th annual gathering of the Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA). CalChamber, November 29, 2007

Voters reject bid by Hugo Chavez to become president for life
President Hugo Chávez has vowed to forge ahead with plans to transform Venezuela into a “socialist republic” along Cuban lines, despite suffering defeat at the polls. The London Times, December 4, 2007

Party’s Triumph Raises Question of Putin’s Plans
With President Vladimir V. Putin’s opponents persistently hobbled by the Kremlin, his party swept Sunday to the kind of landslide long predicted for the parliamentary elections. Yet the results, while a triumph for Mr. Putin, also usher in a new era of political instability for Russia. They also attracted strong criticism today from foreign election monitors who said the vote was neither free nor fair. New York Times, December 4, 2007

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Trade Policy

USTR Schwab to Announce New Climate Initiatives for WTO, Including a New Environmental Goods and Services Agreement (EGSA)

U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced today that the United States and EU have submitted a ground-breaking proposal as part of the Doha Round negotiations to increase global trade in and use of environmental goods and services. The initiative would place priority action on technologies directly linked to addressing climate change and energy security. www.ustr.gov, November 30, 2007

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: Awaiting the President's Signature

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

Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative

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

Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative

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

More International Headlines

Production of silver, copper, gold and zinc slows in Mexican mines
International Herald Tribune, December 3, 2007

PCs Growing Passe in Tech-Conscious Japan
Los Angeles Times, December 3, 2007

China Drafts Energy Policy Requiring New Oil Reserves
International Herald Tribune, December 3, 2007

Exports Lift Thailand's Economy
International Herald Tribune, December 3, 2007

Nicaraguans find "USA" in booming Costa Rica
Boston Globe, December 2, 2007

Congressman to introduce India trade legislation
AOL, December 2, 2007

See Colombia. Ratify Free Trade
Yahoo News USA, December 1, 2007

China to End Trade Subsidies, U.S. Says: Agreement Ends Months of Negotiations After Administration Took Case to WTO
Washington Post, December 1, 2007

Commerce chief urges OK of Colombia treaty
Houston Chronicle, November 30, 2007

India, EU to give top priority to climate change issues
International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2007

Indian Entrepreneurs Leave Outsourcing for Firms of Their Own
International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2007

Japan Industrial Output at Record High
BusinessWeek, November 29, 2007

U.S. Takes Steps to Simplify Voting From Abroad
New York Times, November 29, 2007

Musharraf Now Civilian President
Washington Times, November 29, 2007

US, Salvadoran officials say CAFTA is boosting economic growth in El Salvador
International Herald Tribune, November 28, 2007

EU progresses on trade pact with optimistic Iraq
Reuters, November 28, 2007

Big gains seen from U.S.-Japan free trade pact
Boston Globe, November 27, 2007

Brussels reaches deal with east Africa bloc
MSNBC, November 27, 2007

US official says failure to ratify SKorean trade deal could ruin U.S. image in Asia
International Herald Tribune, November 27, 2007

Vietnam attracts $15B in investments
Business Week, November 27, 2007

Coming Events
CalChamber Event:
12/13/07
International Luncheon Forum with Canadian Ambassador Michael Wilson



12/5/07
Chile Free Trade Agreement Webinar

12/10/07
US-Colombia: A Partnership for Growth

1/10/08 - 1/11/08
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Executive Roundtable

3/3/08 - 3/11/08
U.S. Commercial Service Trade Mission

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