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Free-trade Bloc Now Has Basic Blueprint

Associated Press | By Traci Carl | November 21, 2003 MIAMI -- Trade ministers from across the Americas, unable to agree on issues such as farm subsidies, approved a watered-down framework on Thursday for the world's largest free-trade bloc.

Weak FTAA Ends With A Whimper

Calgary Herald | By Annette Hester | November 21, 2003

Accord Offers Buffet-Style Free Trade; Nations Can Spurn Parts They Dislike

Chicago Tribune | By James P. Miller | November 21, 2003 Top trade officials from 34 nations reached agreement Thursday on a framework for the planned Free Trade Area of the Americas, though the accord falls far short of the concrete plan that the meeting had originally been expected to yield.

Miami Trade Talks Move Into Final Stage

Associated Press | By JOHN PAIN | November 20, 2003 The top trade officials from 34 nations are inching closer to binding their countries in what would be the world's largest free trade area. But some countries complained that the draft agreement the trade ministers will take up Thursday is watered down from the original concept of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Brazil Takes Exception To U.S. Andes Talk

The Miami Herald | By ALEJANDRO LANDES | November 20, 2003 The Brazilian press wasn't amused by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick's comments Tuesday when he announced a U.S. plan to begin trade negotiations with Andean countries.

NGOs For Global Free Trade

Financial Post | November 20, 2003 'The poor have nothing to lose but their poverty," say pro-trade NGOs NGOs are urging the business, civil society and political leaders from the western hemisphere that have gathered in Miami for the Free Trade Areas of America Ministerial to promote real free trade.

Trade Draft Criticized As Diluted

The Miami Herald | By JANE BUSSEY | November 20, 2003 A 'great timing, less filling' debate emerges at the Miami trade talks, as a compromise buys negotiators time but is attacked as 'FTAA Lite' for not resolving disputes.; FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS BYLINE: AND GREGG FIELDS; jbussey@herald.com

China May Raise Duties on U.S. Imports

Associated Press | By Stephanie Hoo | Nov. 20, 2003 BEIJING - China said Thursday it plans to raise import duties on some American products if Washington doesn't abide by a World Trade Organization ruling that U.S. tariffs on steel are illegal.

Police, Trade Protesters Clash in Miami

Associated Press | By Mike Schneider | Nov. 20, 2003 MIAMI - Officers and hundreds of demonstrators clashed Thursday near the site of talks to create a free trade zone for North and South America. Police blanketed downtown, remembering trade-related riots in other cities.

Whispers of ""FTAA Lite""

Miami Herald | By Douglas Hanks III | Nov. 20, 2003 Today is the deadline for cities to join the hemispheric contest for the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. But the prize itself is getting fuzzier and fuzzier.