Articles by Doug Palmer

U.S. EU Launch Free Trade Talks Despite Spying Concerns

The United States and the European Union began talks on Monday on a landmark bilateral free trade agreement, despite European concerns about U.S. spying that had threatened to delay the start after nearly two years of preparation. U.S. Trade Representative …

U.S. Suspends Trade Benefits for Bangladesh Over Workplace Safety

President Barack Obama on Thursday cut off longtime U.S. trade benefits for Bangladesh in a mostly symbolic response to dangerous conditions in that country’s garment industry that have cost more than 1,200 lives in the past year. “I have determined …

Consumer Groups Fear Weaker Safety, Privacy Rules Under U.S.-EU Trade Pact

U.S. consumer groups plan to raise concerns on Wednesday about a proposed free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which they fear could weaken important government health, environmental and food safety regulations and undermine privacy on …

Consumer Groups Worry U.S.-EU Trade Pact Will Weaken Health, Privacy Regs

U.S. consumer groups plan to raise concerns on Wednesday about a proposed free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which they fear could weaken important government health, environmental and food safety regulations and undermine privacy on …

U.S. Presses China to Stop Growing Trade Secret Theft

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office criticized China on Wednesday for failing to stop the growing theft of American trade secrets that are the lifeblood of U.S economic might, in the latest sign of Washington’s frustration. “Not only are repeated thefts …

White House Formally Notifies Congress of Japan Free-Trade Talks

President Barack Obama’s administration on Wednesday notified Congress it will start free-trade talks with Japan, bringing the world’s third-largest economy into U.S.-led negotiations on a regional free-trade pact. “The participation of Japan, a major U.S. trading partner as well as …

U.S., UK Want Financial Services Included as Part of Trade Pact

The United States and the UK aim to include financial services in a proposed free-trade agreement between Washington and the 27-nation European Union, the British Ambassador to the United States said on Thursday. The accord would aim to smooth out …

Japan, U.S. Agree on Tokyo Joining Trans-Pacific Trade Talks

Japan and the United States have agreed on a deal to allow Tokyo to join talks on a U.S.-led Asia-Pacific free trade pact that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making a keystone of his strategy to open Japan’s economy and …

U.S. Aims to Reshape World Trade Rules with Regional Pacts Says VP Biden

The United States hopes to use a proposed regional free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific and another with the European Union to reshape global rules for trade, Vice President Joe Biden said on Friday. “Our goal is for high standards …

Analysts Say Asia-Pacific Trade Talks Could Stretch Well into 2014

Free-trade talks between the United States and 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region could stretch into late next year, especially if Japan joins the negotiations, former U.S. trade officials said on Wednesday. “While it’s true that meaningful progress has been …