Posted on 03/09/2006 12:51:19 PM PST by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
WASHINGTON, Mar 9 (AFP): The United States wants to fast track free-trade talks with Malaysia and strike agreement by the end of the year, but the complex deal will require flexibility and understanding, its ambassador said Thursday.
US Trade Representative Rob Portman and Malaysian trade minister Rafidah Aziz announced that they were launching talks to hammer out a trade deal, as Washington strives to tear down barriers to its goods in Asia.
The move caps a transformation in the relationship between the two countries since the departure two years ago of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who was renowned for his anti-Western rhetoric.
US ambassador Christopher LaFleur said that despite concerns Malaysia's reluctance to throw open its auto and banking sectors could become sticking points, he didn't anticipate any major problems in the negotiations.
LaFleur said the United States was trying to expedite the free-trade agreement before the administration's ability to negotiate a deal expires on July 1, 2007.
Good grief, you'd think that the Administration would've learned SOMETHING from the Dubai Ports fiasco.
ping
Fast track to another trade deficit and job loss? Will Congress act to protect our economic security and job security or will they show which of their sides the PACs are buttering?
I got some American pesos burning a hole in my pocket.
About time to link free trade with freedom of religion.<p.
Malaysia has little or none except, of course, for the filthy ROP.
"They did. They learned they must step up their efforts to completely dismantle the US economy before the president leaves office."
Pretty well sums it up.
Methinks there needs to be some public stink.
I agree.
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