News

China's free trade talks with Sri Lanka hit major hurdles

Shihar Aneez, Reuters
Posted at May 31 08:52 PM

China's exports to Sri Lanka dwarf the trade that goes in the other direction, leaving Colombo with a big deficit with Beijing. Read more »

Asia-Pacific nations sign sweeping trade deal without US

Dave Sherwood and Felipe Iturrieta, Reuters
Posted at Mar 09 08:39 AM

Eleven countries including Japan and Canada signed a landmark Asia-Pacific trade agreement without the United States on Thursday in what one minister called a powerful signal against protectionism and trade wars. Read more »

Europe may widen perks for Philippine imports: EU chamber

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Mar 02 07:41 PM

The European Union is looking at extending incentives to up to 600 more product lines that are imported from the Philippines under its GSP+ scheme, a trade representative said Friday. Read more »

Japan says trans-Pacific trade pact, without US, to be signed in March

Kaori Kaneko and Takashi Umekawa, Reuters
Posted at Jan 23 07:00 PM

Eleven countries aiming to forge a new Asia-Pacific trade pact after the United States pulled out of an earlier version will hold a signing ceremony in Chile in March, Japan's economy minister said on Tuesday, in a big win for Tokyo. Read more »

Millions of new jobs seen with with US trade deal: Lopez

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 23 10:44 AM

A proposed free trade agreement between the Philippines and the United States has the potential to create millions of jobs in the manufacturing sector, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday. Read more »

ASEAN aims to wrap up RCEP deal in 2018

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Nov 15 12:31 AM

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Tuesday that the bloc and its trading partners will try to finish talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement next year. Read more »

ASEAN signs free trade, investment pacts with Hong Kong

James Pomfret and Enrico Dela Cruz, Reuters
Posted at Nov 12 04:50 PM

 Hong Kong on Sunday signed free trade and investment pacts with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in what one of the Chinese territory's senior officials called a "loud and clear" vote against rising regional trade protectionism. Read more »

Trump brings tough trade message in vision for Asia

Steve Holland and Matthew Tostevin, Reuters
Posted at Nov 10 04:25 PM

US President Donald Trump set out a strong message on trade at a meeting of Asia-Pacific countries in Vietnam on Friday, saying the United States could no longer tolerate chronic trade abuses and would insist on fair and equal policies. Read more »

Trump praises 'productive' China talks, but tough action seen ahead

Ben Blanchard, Reuters
Posted at Nov 10 03:33 PM

US President Donald Trump lauded his Beijing meetings on trade and North Korea as "very productive", ending a visit which Chinese media declared set a "new blueprint" for handling ties, even as the White House looks set for tougher action on China. Read more »

TPP trade deal talks reach critical point at Asia-Pacific summit

Mai Nguyen, Reuters
Posted at Nov 09 03:20 PM

Talks on pushing ahead the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal without the United States reached a critical point on Thursday as ministers from the 11 countries discussed a proposed agreement in principle. Read more »

Trump says to push Japan for freer trade; calls ties better than ever

Steve Holland, Reuters
Posted at Nov 06 02:06 PM

U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to push for a free and balanced trade partnership with Japan after decades of "massive trade deficits" but said relations with close ally Tokyo were "better than we have ever had". Read more »

ASEAN, partners eye 'substantial' free trade progress by year-end

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Sep 11 02:06 PM

Southeast Asian economic ministers hope to reach a "substantial conclusion" of talks for a China-backed free trade deal by the end of the year, a Filipino official said at the end of talks in the Philippine capital.   Read more »

ASEAN tries to move China-backed free trade deal

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 10 02:14 PM

Southeast Asian economic ministers on Sunday agreed to move a China-backed free trade deal forward by identifying "realistically achievable" talking points by the end of the year, a Filipino official said. Read more »

Thailand pushes ASEAN trade unity

Cathy Yang, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jul 14 08:06 PM

MANILA - Southeast Asian nations should prioritize regional integration over the interests of their individual countries, Thai Vice Commerce Minister Winichai Chaemchaeng said Friday. Read more »

Japan, EU on cusp of free trade agreement after US rebuff

Reuters
Posted at Jul 02 11:10 AM

Japan and the European Union are on the cusp of a wide-ranging free trade agreement that could help blunt the forces of protectionism sparked by US President Donald Trump's trade policies. Read more »

Japan-EU trade negotiations at crucial moment: Japan FM

Agence France Presse
Posted at Jun 28 09:44 PM

Japan and the European Union are at a crucial moment in their attempt to sign a free trade deal, Japan's foreign minister said Wednesday, with tariffs on European cheese a key sticking point.  Read more »

New Zealand optimistic of free trade deal with U.S.

Harry Pearl, Reuters
Posted at Jun 18 08:59 AM

The United States has indicated it is open to a free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, New Zealand's trade minister said on Sunday. Read more »

Asia ministers in push for China-led free trade pact

Agence France-Presse
Posted at May 22 05:22 PM

Asian trade ministers met Monday to hammer out the terms of a massive China-led pact that has taken center stage as Washington pulls away from regional free trade deals in favor of bilateral agreements. Read more »

TPP trade deal members agree to seek way forward without US

My Pham and A. Ananthalakshmi, Reuters
Posted at May 21 12:50 PM

Countries remaining in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreed on Sunday to explore ways to move the trade deal forward after U.S. President Donald Trump's pulled out in his switch to an "America First" policy. Read more »

US counts down to Mexico, Canada trade talks in August

David Lawder, Reuters
Posted at May 19 07:49 AM

The Trump administration on Thursday set the clock ticking toward a mid-August start of renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico to try to win better terms for US workers and manufacturers. Read more »