International trade | GlobalPost

U.S. decries 'hostage-taking' in trade talks, sees hope on IT deal

Thomson ReutersMay 29, 2013 15:51

By Leigh Thomas PARIS (Reuters) - A global agreement to cut red tape in world trade, which could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars to the world economy, is being stymied by some countries' "hostage-taking", a top U.S. trade official said on Wednesday.

Mexico's economy will grow at faster clip in 2014, OECD says

Agencia EFEMay 29, 2013 15:20

Paris, May 29 (EFE).- Mexico's economy, which will experience slower growth in the first half of 2013 due to headwinds from the United States, will have a stronger performance next year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, said Wednesday. The new government's structural reforms in the areas of telecommunications, energy and budgeting will improve long-term growth prospects, the OECD said.

OECD reduces estimates for Canadian economy, says growth will lag United States

The Canadian PressMay 29, 2013 12:35

OTTAWA - The OECD has reduced its estimates for Canadian economic growth this year and next. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development currently expects a 1.4 per cent advance this year for Canada — down four-tenths of a point from its November estimate of 1.8 per cent. The multinational forecasting group has also reduced its estimate for Canada's economic growth in 2014, now expected at 2.3 per cent — one-tenth of a point below the previous estimate of 2.4 per cent.

EU duties on Chinese solar panels losing member: state support

Thomson ReutersMay 27, 2013 09:53

By Robin Emmott and Ethan Bilby BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A majority of EU governments oppose a plan to impose hefty duties on solar panel imports from China, a survey of member states showed on Monday, undermining efforts by Brussels to pressure Beijing over its trade practices. The European Commission, the EU's executive, accuses Chinese firms of selling solar panels at below cost in Europe - a practice known as "dumping" - and plans to impose duties, making it far harder for China to gain market share.

EU duties on Chinese solar panels losing member-state support

Thomson ReutersMay 27, 2013 20:00

China opens dumping move against EU chemicals

Agence France-PresseMay 27, 2013 11:00

China has told the European Commission that it will open complaint procedures for dumping against some European chemical companies, notably Belgian group Solvay, the newspaper Les Echos reported on Monday. The Chinese move, made a few days ago, targets products made from chlorine and in particular perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, the report said. China was believed to be taking similar action against the United States, the report said. This is the second such anti-dumping procedure by China against European industry in less than two weeks.

Japan, India to discuss military plane sales

Agence France-PresseMay 27, 2013 03:30

Japan is close to signing an agreement to supply amphibious planes to India, a report said Monday, in what would be the first sale of hardware used by the military since a weapons export ban was imposed. During a four-day visit to Tokyo by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, starting later Monday, the two sides are set firm up plans for Delhi to purchase the US-2, a domestically-developed aircraft used by Japan's armed forces.

Finance minister to point out 'limits' of quantitative easing polices at OECD meeting

Yonhap News AgencyMay 27, 2013 02:46

SEJONG, May 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Finance Minister Hyun Oh-seok is expected to bring attention to the "limits" of quantitative easing steps taken by advanced countries during a meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) this week, his office said Monday. Hyun, who also serves as deputy prime minister in charge of economy affairs, will leave for Paris to attend the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday local time, according to the finance ministry.

Next TPP trade round set for July 15-25, Japan to join near end

Kyodo News InternationalMay 25, 2013 00:15

The eleven countries involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations agreed to hold the next round of talks in Kuala Lumpur from July 15 to 25 as they concluded their 17th round of talks in Lima on Friday. After reaching agreements in some key fields, the United States and 10 other TPP members said at the end of the 10-day meeting they have decided to extend the next round by one day to July 25 to include Japan as the 12th member of the talks.

WTO panel to examine Japan-China steel duties dispute

Agence France-PresseMay 24, 2013 12:17

The World Trade Organization said Friday its dispute settlement board had agreed to a request from Japan to create a panel to examine its dispute with China over steel duties. Japan had requested for a panel to evaluate its complaint against China for imposing duties on steel tube imports, which Beijing claims were being sold at prices below market levels. Japan charged that the duties violated international agreements, in the latest volley in a slew of trade rows between China and its key trade partners that have seen tit-for-tat duties put on a range of goods.