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Bush Pressing Republicans on China Vote, Gently

New York Times / By FRANK BRUNI MISSION VIEJO, Calif., May 4 -- Three weeks before a closely watched vote in Congress on trade relations with China, Gov. George W. Bush and his advisers are making sure to remind Capitol Hill Republicans of Mr. Bush's support for the bill and have not ruled out his calling undecided House Republicans.

India Forwards WTO Details of Tariff Swap Deal with U.S.

GENEVA--India has revealed details of a tariff swap agreement with the United States which will provide exporters with improved access to the Indian market for certain agricultural goods while raising tariffs on others farm products.

WTO Chief Ready for More Trade Talks

By Michael Roddy / Reuters BUDAPEST, May 5 -- The head of the World Trade Organization said on Friday he was ready to open a new round of global trade negotiations immediately, but that it was not likely to happen.

Quad Group Expected to Offer LDCs Better Deal at WTO

By Brian Kenety BRUSSELS, May 2 (IPS) - The 'Quad Group' of countries - the European Union (EU), the United States, Canada and Japan - are expected to announce at a meeting of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) ruling body May 3 that they are ready to dismantle duties and quotas on 99 percent of imports from the world's 48 least-developed countries (LDCs).

U.S. Targets Six Nations for Possible WTO Cases

The Wall Street Journal Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Brazil, Argentina and four other countries were put on notice Monday that they could face unfair trade charges before the World Trade Organization unless they resolve disputes with the U.S. in coming weeks.

Unocal ""Smoking Gun"" Alleged

By William Branigin / Washington Post Staff Writer Attorneys for a group of Burmese refugees say they have discovered a "smoking gun" document supporting their claims that a major U.S. oil company should be held accountable for human rights violations related to construction of a natural gas pipeline in Burma.

U.S. Panel Urges Congress to Reject China Pact

By Adam Entous WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A commission appointed by the White House and Congress urged lawmakers on Monday to deny permanent trading benefits to China, citing Beijing's crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement and other religious groups.

Did NAFTA Backers Bamboozle America? (Business Week Review )

Did NAFTA Backers Bamboozle America? THE SELLING OF 'FREE TRADE' NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy By John R. MacArthur Hill & Wang 388pp $25

Organized Labor Pleads Not Guilty to Protectionism

Townhall.com / Steve Chapman The American labor movement thinks it's being unfairly depicted in the debate over normalizing trade relations with China. The AFL-CIO's opposition has led to the amazing charge that it is being selfishly protectionist, trying to preserve American jobs at the expense of workers abroad. That's the complete opposite of the truth, we now learn.

Rethinking Global Giving

Chronicle of Philanthropy Trade protests are prompting a review of grant-making policies By STEPHEN G. GREENE As the crowds of activists who descended on Washington last week made clear, financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund face increasingly vociferous challenges to their structures and practices.