Zimbabwe: Boardroom Wrangle Erupts at Aico Nov 21, 2009
Sources said the regions were the European trading bloc and the West that had imposed targeted sanctions on Presi-dent Robert Mugabe and more than 200 members of his previous administration. In the United States, for example, Washington has been discouraging Ame-rican businesses from doing business in Zimbabwe. (allAfrica.com)
Belgian chosen as EUs first president Nov 20, 2009
Although the EU is a major trading bloc, its political influence has not matched its economic might. Political analysts have questioned whether it will be able to do so even after the new appointments. (MSNBC -- International)
SPIN METER: Did Obama grovel? Nov 17, 2009
Days after coming to power in September, Japan's new prime minister broached forming a new East Asian trading bloc with rival China - one that would exclude the United States. Some in Washington took it as a snub from the nation that has been America's rock in Asia for decades. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Europe crawls out of recession Nov 14, 2009
While the world's biggest trading bloc joined Japan and the US in returning to growth, after the deepest downturn since WWII, the level was lower than expected. The figures, released on Friday, drew on input from 17 EU countries, of which 10 showed a third quarter growth. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Obama comes to Japan mulling Afghan war options Nov 13, 2009
Days after coming to power in September, Japan's new prime minister broached forming a new East Asian trading bloc with rival China - one that would exclude the United States ... Days after coming to power in September, Japan's new prime minister broached forming a new East Asian trading bloc with rival China - one that would exclude the United States. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Recession ends across Europe Nov 13, 2009
Europe's deepest recession since World War II officially ended on Friday as the world's biggest single trading bloc returned to growth after five quarters of shrinking output. Both the mainstay eurozone of 16 countries and the 27-nation European Union as a whole, home to half a billion people, posted growth of 0. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Asia's Economic Forum: Seeking New Growth Nov 11, 2009
The chatter of the formation of an Asian trading bloc could make things awkward for U.S. President Barack Obama during his scheduled appearance at APEC in Singapore ... Realistically, it could take many years to form an E.U.-style trading bloc in the region if such a body can be formed at all ... That's a lengthy wait for some of benefits of an Asian trading bloc to accrue. (Time.com)
Obama confronts an Asia reshaped by China's rise Nov 10, 2009
BEIJING (AP) -- Days after coming to power in September, Japan's new prime minister broached forming a new East Asian trading bloc with rival China -- one that would exclude the United States. Some in Washington took it as a snub from the nation that has been America's rock in Asia for decades. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Venezuela step closer to Mercosur Oct 30, 2009
The country officially teamed up with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as part of their Mercosur trading bloc in July 2006. But, so far, its membership has only been approved by the Uruguayan, Argentine and Venezuelan parliaments. (BBC News -- Americas)
Trading blows Oct 29, 2009
Venezuela officially teamed up with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as a full member of their Mercosur trading bloc in July 2006. At the time, Mr Chavez called the move "historic" and said Venezuela's "road to liberation" lay with Mercosur. (BBC News -- Americas)
Japan presses new East Asia bloc, U.S. role uncertain Oct 24, 2009
Japan's newly minted government sees its influence bound to an East Asian Community, an idea for a new regional trading bloc inspired by the European Union and including India, Australia and New Zealand, along with ASEAN countries. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will push another idea at the summit centred around a new forum of Asia-Pacific nations and the United States for economic, security, environmental and political crises, according to Australian media. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Africa: 'Grasp the Benefits of Trade With Bric Emerging Markets' Oct 16, 2009
" Standard Bank economist for Brazil and India Simon Freemantle and Stevens explained that the seismic shift in world trade means that the BRIC trading bloc needs Africa as much as Africa needs them. Freemantle belaboured the point that it's not longer "BRIC in Africa" but "BRIC and Africa". "The story of BRIC and Africa has only just begun ... It has declined marginally -- less than the traditional markets," added Freemantle. Stevens posited that Africa has a good bargaining position where it... (allAfrica.com)
Mercosur deal with Sacu to lift trade Oct 12, 2009
Accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Zuma strengthened ties with a key player in the South-South trading bloc and cemented political relations. Trudi Hartzenberg, the executive director of the Trade Law Centre, said Brazil was the major economy in South America's Mercosur bloc, which had signed a preferential trade agreement with Sacu. (Business Report, South Africa)
Indian Independence - Communalism,1... Sep 21, 2009
Also consideration had to be given to American opinion regarding the dissolution of the British Empire and the sterling trading bloc, which had hindered the US economy for so long.. The copyright of the article Indian Independence - Communalism,1947 in is owned by. (Suite101.com)
Dutch farmer is confident of camel's potential as cash cow Sep 18, 2009
The European Union does not allow them to be imported, so Smits had to find some from within the trading bloc. He managed to do so in the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa, which belong to Spain, a member of the union. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Zimbabwe: Harare Sanctions to Stay, Zuma Told Sep 12, 2009
The EU is the world's largest trading bloc, and is one of SA's largest export destinations. In 2007 about R150bn worth of goods were exported to the EU.. (allAfrica.com)
South Africa: Govt, EU to Strengthen Relations At Summit Sep 8, 2009
The EU is the world's largest trading bloc and generates about 30 percent of global GDP and 20 percent of global trade flows. It is the world's biggest aid donor to poor countries, contributing approximately half of global aid. (allAfrica.com)
Fortress Asia: Is a Powerful New Trade Bloc Forming? Sep 8, 2009
Nineteen of those FTAs have been made among 16 major Asian economies, a trend that could help Asia become a powerful trading bloc on par with the one created by the North American Free Trade Agreement ... But "the world will not be better off if we separate into different trading blocs," says Edward Leung, chief economist at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. (Time.com)
'Three Amigos' joining forces in swine flu fight Aug 10, 2009
Beyond the back slaps and photo opportunities, however, are growing tensions within the powerful trading bloc. Mexico is upset over delayed 00004000 aid to fight violent drug cartels. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
East Africa: EAC Turning Challenges Into Opportunities [editorial] Jul 29, 2009
In addition, the trading bloc is focused on the establishment of the EAC common market which will create an economic bloc with a combined population of 125 million and total gross domestic product of $55 billion. Two weeks ago, an undersea fibre optic cable was launched on the EAC coastal line, a development that is expected to provide the region with high capacity connectivity at much lower rates. (allAfrica.com)
Rwanda: Private Sector Gaining Shape - Michael Porter Jul 25, 2009
Rwanda recently joined the Customs Union of the EAC. There has been some outcry that Rwanda might turn into a dumping site for goods manufactured from within this trading bloc. Dou think by opening up to these stronger economies, Rwanda made a calculated move. (allAfrica.com)
Ousted Honduran president Zelaya returns to Nicaragua Jul 25, 2009
The South American Common Market (Mercosur), a regional trading bloc, strongly condemned the coup in Honduras during its summit meeting on Friday and refused to recognize the legitimacy of the country's interim government. The Mercosur expressed support and solidarity with the Honduran people, saying that the organization will not accept any unilateral act by the country's interim authorities. (Xinhuanet, China)
Madagascar: Ravalomanana Attends African Union Summit Jun 29, 2009
This is a view shared by Africa's largest trading bloc the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). SADC took over efforts to restore Constitutional order in the country after mediation efforts by the AU and United Nations were suspended. (allAfrica.com)
Backgrounder: Basic facts about COMESA Jun 6, 2009
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, June 6 (Xinhua) -- African largest trading bloc COMESA will hold its 13th summit in the Zimbabwean resort town of Victoria Falls on June 7 to 8. The following is a brief introduction about the group. (Xinhuanet, China)
Leading man? May 16, 2009
He then became secretary-general of the regional trading bloc - the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) - in Lusaka, Zambia. When the PTA transformed itself into Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) in 1995, Mr Mutharika became its founding secretary-general. (BBC News -- Africa)
Comesa scheduled for June Apr 18, 2009
Article By: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:24 The 19-country Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), Africa's largest trading bloc, will finally launch its customs union at a long-awaited summit in Zimbabwe in June, Comesa said Friday. The summit of heads of state and government, which was twice postponed last year, will be held on 7 and 8 June at the Victoria Falls resort, Comesa secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya told journalists in Harare Friday. (iAfrica.com)
Toppled Czech government was liability, opposition leader says Mar 27, 2009
It has also provoked a national outcry that Mr. Paroubek has allowed political ambition to undermine the Czech Republic at a time when it is leading the world's biggest trading bloc. Writing a day after the vote for the Web site of Respekt, a political weekly, Jan Machacek, a leading commentator, argued that Mr. Paroubek had allowed "jealousy, dark thoughts, and a personal grudge" to cloud his judgment. (International Herald Tribune)
Auto industry at issue in E.U.-Korea trade talks Mar 25, 2009
The European Commission said Tuesday that "very significant subjects" still need to be resolved before the world's largest trading bloc can complete a tariff-reduction agreement with South Korea. Already facing a catastrophic reduction in sales due to the global economic downturn, the European automotive industry reacted with alarm to the announcement at a news conference in Seoul early Tuesday of an outline agreement to free up trade. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Czech leader loses vote of confidence Mar 25, 2009
The Czech government lost a parliamentary vote of no confidence Tuesday, suffering an embarrassing defeat midway through its presidency of the European Union and casting doubt on the country's ability to shepherd the world's biggest trading bloc during a time of economic crisis. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Tuesday that he would resign after the motion passed, 101-96, in the 200-seat lower house. (International Herald Tribune)
A border dispute in Balkans imperils Europe's expansion Mar 21, 2009
It has laid bare how the simmering force of national identity can threaten a giant trading bloc where the removal of physical borders has not always captured the hearts and minds of those caught in the middle. Today in Europe. (International Herald Tribune)
In Poland, EU gets something right Mar 20, 2009
But, as leaders gathered Thursday to argue in Brussels over just 5 billion in collective measures to stimulate the economy of the world's largest trading bloc, they could ponder the lessons of Mlociny. (Page 3). (International Herald Tribune)
A crisis is separating Eastern Europe's strong from its weak Feb 24, 2009
Even if they are not and the trouble spots implode, economists and analysts here said they were confident that the European Union, the world's biggest trading bloc, would find a way to come to the rescue rather than allow financial chaos to spread across the Continent. 1. (International Herald Tribune)
Trade: Buy American, Buy Depression Feb 10, 2009
We may have our differences with Europe about its lumbering statism and political correctness, but it's worth remembering the trade wars that presaged World War II and the core premise of the EU itself a trading bloc of free nations designed to ensure continental peace. Now, with a global crisis on, "we are all in this together," Bruton told IBD in a recent interview to make the EU's case. (Investors Business Daily)
