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TWN Info Service on Free
Trade Agreements
27 March 2007
Malaysia, US to hold consultations in mid-April
in the US
Officials from Malaysia
and the United States
will be meeting in the US
in mid-April for consultations on an FTA, the US Trade Representative
spokesman Stephen Norton said in a statement (see below).
Both sides last held talks in Malaysia
in February. After the talks, Malaysian officials declared that 58 contentious
issues remain unresolved and since then the Cabinet had held discussions
on the Malaysia-US FTA to come to a decision on the issues.
Best wishes,
Third World Network
2-1, Jalan 31/70A
Desa Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2300 2585
Fax: +603-2300 2595
email: twnkl@po.jaring.my
websites: www.twnside.org.sg and www.ftamalaysia.org
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(http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/March/Statement_by_Stephen_Norton_on_US-Malaysia_FTA_Negotiations.html)
Statement by Stephen Norton on U.S.-Malaysia FTA Negotiations 03/23/2007
A year ago, the United States and Malaysia launched FTA negotiations
with a common commitment to conclude a comprehensive, high-quality FTA.
Significant progress has been made toward conclusion of such an agreement,
but a number of important issues remain outstanding.
After the last round, Malaysian officials informed us that they needed
time to seek a political consensus within their Cabinet on how to proceed
on these issues. Resolution of that process is a necessary step before
the negotiations can continue. We made clear to the Malaysian Government
the requirements of our Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and that, at
this point, submission of a U.S.-Malaysia FTA under the current TPA
statute is not possible.
As we have stated repeatedly, however, substance, not timing, is the
determinative factor that will guide our participation in these negotiations.
Our belief that reaching a high-quality, comprehensive FTA would benefit
both economies is undiminished.
The United States
and Malaysia have agreed to continue working toward
our shared goal and a Malaysian team will come to the United States
in mid-April for consultations. We look forward to concluding a high-quality,
comprehensive FTA, and obtaining legislative approval of such an agreement.
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