InfoAnda - Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Joe Manganiello To DJ At Pinkberry Opening In Santa Clara | 19 October 2010
Japanese stocks tumble as Topix hits 25-year low | 20 February 2009
Ricky Gervais brings animated TV comedy to U.S. | | 23 December 2009

IBM's new service jumps on cloud computing bandwagon | 16 November 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Singapore Asia Pacific World Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific By JEAN H. LEE,Associated Press Writer - Sunday, November 15 Send IM Story Print SINGAPORE – President Barack Obama raised hopes for creating an Asia-Pacific free-trade region by announcing Saturday that the U.S. would seek to join a smaller group seen as a precursor to a broader Pacific Rim agreement. News that the U.S. would participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, joining Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei, was announced in Tokyo and Singapore, drawing applause at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. "Significant steps like the TPP are important to help keep up the momentum in our efforts to realize the ... vision" to create a region-wide free trade area, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told other leaders at their weekend summit here. There have been concerns that the U.S., the world's biggest economy, and other nations might turn inward as they grapple with the worst global financial crisis in decades. Obama's move reinforced calls for expanding free trade rather than resorting to protectionist measures to cope with the recession. He pushed for progress on talks to liberalize world trade. "In this new era, opening other markets around the globe will be critical not just to America's prosperity, but to the world's," Obama said in Tokyo before departing for the APEC forum. APEC, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, was created to promote greater trade and integration among Pacific Rim nations from Chile to China. Its scope since has expanded to encompass a wide range of issues, including climate change, energy and food security, and politics. The anniversary comes amid the biggest global financial crisis since the 1930s. While the worst appears over, the recovery remains fragile, leaders said. Trade has significantly contributed to growth in the Asia-Pacific region, but there are creeping signs of protectionism with the economic downturn, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told his APEC partners. "It is important that we leaders bear the firm belief that free trade is the way to contribute to national development, and we should prevent protectionism and spread free trade," he said. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called trade a powerful economic stimulus. "We have to do everything in our power to refrain from protectionism," he said. Leaders said nations must time the withdrawal of stimulus packages carefully, and put better regulatory measures in place to avoid the financial collapse of the past year. They will also push for faster action on trade liberation talks and seek global agreement on climate change, according to a draft statement obtained Saturday by The Associated Press. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urged APEC members to work together to stimulate recovery in a "balanced" way, a comment that hints at concerns over China's export-reliant growth. "A rising tide lifts all boats," he said. "If we work together to rise above this downturn, we can lift up all our economies and all our peoples." Washington sees free-trade areas as a way to create jobs in the U.S., said Kirk, standing in for Obama, who arrived in Singapore later Saturday. Singapore welcomed the U.S. announcement and said the TPP, which went into force in 2006, now has the potential to expand to an eight-member group, with Australia, Peru and Vietnam also expressing interest. Simon Tay of the Singapore Institute for International Affairs also praised the move. "Americans have to get beyond this idea that free trade with Asia destroys their jobs. Both sides can benefit," he said. The longer-term goal is to expand the TPP to an agreement encompassing all 21 APEC members, dubbed the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, but Tay called it "early days" for progress on the broader pact. Despite the commitment to free trade, the U.S. Congress has balked at passing agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama negotiated under the previous presidency. "There are some substantive issues that must be resolved with each of the trade agreements before they can be teed up," U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told the AP. Obama, who visits Seoul in the coming days, has expressed concern that under the proposed pact, U.S. manufacturers won't have enough access to South Korea's auto market. A call for concrete goals on greenhouse gas emissions, meanwhile, appeared watered down in the leaders' draft statement. A previous draft pledged a 50 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2050; the latest draft committed to working toward "a good agreement" at climate talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, next month to "limit" emissions. APEC leaders also stressed the need to invest in social safety nets such as education, health care and employment training to ensure stability in the long term. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama brought up the sensitive issue of suicides in his country, which has the second-highest rate of suicide in the 30-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. He called for nurturing economies that value its workers as human beings. "When you have as many as 30,000 people who kill themselves (a year), that is abnormal," he said Friday. "We should not turn into a country where people take their own lives if they can't find a place in society." Later Saturday, leaders carried out an APEC tradition by donning the cultural attire of the host nation for dinner. The hand-embroidered linen tunics reflect Singapore's mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures, designer Wykidd Song said. ___ Associated Press writers Elaine Kurtenbach, Jim Gomez, Eileen Ng, Jae-soon Chang, Alex Kennedy and Vijay Joshi contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-BUSINESS Summary Reuters - Sunday, November 15 Pay limits hamper BofA chief search: report Reuters - Sunday, November 15 Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific AP - Sunday, November 15 ABC, CBS both have early corporate ties to NBC AP - Sunday, November 15 Key dates in history of National Broadcasting Co. AP - Sunday, November 15 News Search Top Stories All Blacks defeat competitive Italian rugby team Opel turnaround 'would cost GM twice as much' France, Brazil unveil policy for climate conference: Sarkozy Brazil to offer carbon cut of 36% at UN climate meet NASA finds water on the moon More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended NASA finds water on the moon 'Catastrophic' e-waste fuels global toxic dump: experts Recession ends across Europe Man charged over Cindy Crawford extortion bid Wall Street eyes US consumer to keep rally going More Most Viewed » Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old Fibre may keep asthma, diabetes at bay, study finds More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 15 November 2009
Opposition: Iran Rulers more brutal than shah
France, Brazil unveil policy for climate conference: Sarkozy
Iran artists in tug of war with government
All Blacks defeat competitive Italian rugby team
Iran student gets 8 yrs over post-election protests
Opel turnaround 'would cost GM twice as much'
Turkey ready 'to store Iran's uranium'
Hamas makes U-turn over Palestinian national day | International |
Brazil to offer carbon cut of 36% at UN climate meet
ETA's political arm calls for peace talks in Spain | International |
India says six rebels killed on Kashmir border | International |
Ethiopia's ONLF rebels say captured seven towns | International |
Suicide car bomb 'kills 11' in NW Pakistan
Govt: Medicare paid $47 billion in suspect claims
India says six rebels killed on Kashmir border
Obama joins APEC leaders for dress-up dinner
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Abortion rights groups rebound
WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Personal politics
Suicide bomber kills 10 in Pakistan's Peshawar
Fire at indoor SKorean shooting range kills 10
FBI digs into backyard of Ohio home with 11 bodies
2 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan explosions
South Koreans protest Afghan troop dispatch
Suicide attack kills 10 at NW Pakistan checkpoint
Boatload of Afghans detained in eastern Indonesia
Obama urges Congress to put off Fort Hood probe
Obama boosts hopes for free trade in Asia-Pacific
India inflation gains pace
Lebanon tourism up 43% in 2009
Bees provide pain relief in beleaguered Gaza
Broadcast pioneer NBC prepares for cable takeover
US: Iraq needs to do more to help refugees return
British PM vows law to crackdown on banker bonuses
Underwater robot probes depths for Istanbul quake clues
Suicide bomber kills 10 in Pakistan's Peshawar | International |
Paris rampage after cash giveaway cancelled: police
Defiant Mousavi repeats call for new Iran election
Bill Clinton urges Mideast foes to end conflict
Colombia moves to calm tensions with Venezuela | International |
Slovenia signs up to Russia-Europe gas pipeline
Ousted Honduran leader says won't negotiate return | International |
Peru's Garcia bails out of APEC summit over spy case | International |
Fire in South Korea shooting range kills 10 | International |
Mother of missing 5-year-old NC girl charged
Malaysian newspaper for Indians gets gov't warning
Man is zapped with stun gun at mom's NY home, dies
White House source: Gitmo inmates could go to IL
SKorea investigates cause of shooting range fire
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Militants attack anti-Taliban mayor in Pakistan
Pa. swim club accused of bias to file bankruptcy
Mourners grieve for soldiers killed at Fort Hood
Fabled Foreign Legion finds a new war to fight
1 killed as plane crashes in suburb east of LA
Medical Helicopter Crash Leaves Three Dead Near Reno
No bars, no mistresses, Chinese officials warned
Obama: 'Unshakeable' Commitment To Security Of Asia, 'Different Future' For North Korea
Asia-Pacific leaders face trade, climate headwinds
3 dead in medical helicopter crash north of Reno
Kim on target with Bond programme at Skate America
Civil rights groups protest at Taos hotel
Crusading Calif. D.A. retires, leaves painful wake
Obama meets friends, foes in Southeast Asia summit
Fire in South Korea shooting range kills 10
GE to set up China aviation joint venture: statement
Obama under fire on trade as Asia-Pacific leaders meet
Bali resort grapples with mounting rabies epidemic
Joan Baez, Lou Reed serenade revolution hero Havel
Mock funeral for Venice's dwindling population
Palin's memoirs triggers a boomlet of other books
Palestinians to seek UN endorsement of statehood
Obama meets Myanmar PM, calls for Suu Kyi's release | International |
Internet supermarket booms in bad times
Obama presses Iran on atomic deal, Tehran defiant
Obama presses Iran on atomic deal, Tehran defiant | International |
Obama vows 'serious' bid to cut US deficit
Madoff's spoils go under the hammer
Trial of British contractor in Iraq postponed
Kosovo's statehood faces first test at local polls | International |
Commercial real estate woes imperil US recovery
Iran's parliament approves last three ministers | International |
Obama says time running out for Iran on nuclear deal
German minister 'shot at' during Afghan visit
Philippine '10 net FDI flows seen $1.7 bln: sources | International |
Sarkozy offers to host Mideast peace talks: report
Thousands gather to honour German soccer star | International |
UK to apologize for sending to children to Canada and Australia | International |
Reports: NKorea briefly activates missile radar
Pakistan: Militants attack 2 anti-Taliban figures
Dalai Lama was a slave master, China tells Obama
US, Russia see deal on missile cuts by year-end
Afghan forces get 2 C-27 military support planes
Obama meets Myanmar PM, calls for Suu Kyi's release
Thai protesters denounce Thaksin's royal remarks
Iran condemns US mosque seizure
SKorea investigates cause of shooting range fire
US, Russia warn Iran on nuclear crisis
Obama tells Myanmar junta to free Suu Kyi
Jet hits birds, forced to turn back to Missouri
Clinton: Would look forward to coffee with Palin
Indonesia detains 41 more Afghan migrants
Illinois Prison Could House Gitmo Detainees
Three Americans Killed In Afghanistan IED Attacks
WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Nailing the funny shirt pic
White Powder Scare Briefly Shuts Down Ellis Island
Pacquiao pummels Cotto to win WBO welterweight crown
NY Man Dies After Police Use Taser To Subdue Him
Illinois prison mulled for Guantanamo inmates: report
Franchise Sues Burger King Over $1 Double Cheeseburger
Sands looks to restart Macau casino work next year
China: Low US interest rates threaten recovery
Honda to downsize Spanish factory: report
China bank regulator: US dollar's decline adding risk
Indonesia says S.Lanka refugees can stay for 3 months
Sri Lanka's African slave families fade away
Rihanna in combative mood for new album
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01