China rejected a preliminary ruling by a U.S. trade panel that imports of Chinese solar panels are harming the domestic industry, saying the decision shows the country’s “inclination to trade protectionism.” The U.S. International Trade Commission on Dec. 2 took the first step toward imposing added tariffs on Chinese solar imports, voting unanimously in Washington on a petition by Bonn- based SolarWorld AG that called for antidumping and countervailing duties. The commission will now hold a full investigation.

VietNamNet Bridge – When commenting about TPP, experts all agree that this is for first time Vietnam joins the negotiations for multilateral FTA (free trade agreement) with such a fast pace, broad scope of issues to be touched, and a high level of commitment and complexity. On November 15, 2010, Vietnamese President announced Vietnam’s decision to join the negotiation rounds for Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP. Considered issued thoroughly before making decision

SEOUL (Yonhap) — South Korea’s car exports to the European Union (EU) surged 40.1 percent on-year in the first 10 months of 2011, fueled by the bilateral free trade pact, a local industry association said Tuesday. The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) said the country’s five carmakers shipped 347,207 vehicles to EU member countries as of late October, compared to 247,909 units sold in the same period last year. KAMA said that the sharp rise in exports only partially reflects benefits of the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) that went into effect in July.

BEIJING, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- When China joined the World Trade Organization ten years ago, it marked the beginning of a new era in which China would become one of the world's most important economic powers. During the past decade, China has made great economic and social progress -- it has become the world's biggest exporter and the world's second-largest economy, as well as a top destination for foreign investors. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said during his visit to China in October that China has delivered an "A-plus performance" since its WTO accession.

A report from the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO), forming the basis of the sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Thailand which took place at the end of last month, points out, in particular, the complex and time-consuming systems that exist for paying taxes and tariffs in the country. The WTO report notes that, for over 30 years Thailand has pursued a policy of export-led development that has successfully turned the country into a major exporter of industrial goods, and led to rapid economic growth.

Lima, Dec. 05 (ANDINA). Peru and Guatemala will sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Tuesday, December 6 in a ceremony which will count with the participation of Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Jose Luis Silva. According to a supreme ordinance, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) will travel to the city of Merida (Mexico) to take part in the Second Summit of the Pacific Alliance on December 4. Afterwards, Minister Silva will travel to the Guatemala to sign the trade agreement with said country.

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mexico and five Central American countries on Monday ratified a Free Trade Agreement which envisions a potential market of 150 million consumers. Representatives of Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala signed a presidential statement bringing the FTA into force prior to a summit of the Mechanism of Tuxtla Dialogue and Agreement which opened later in the day in the southeastern Mexican city of Merida. The agreement provides a legal framework for trading in goods and services among the countries.

(Reuters) - Iran warned the West on Sunday any move to block its oil exports would more than double crude prices with devastating consequences on a fragile global economy. "As soon as such an issue is raised seriously the oil price would soar to above $250 a barrel," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a newspaper interview.

MEKONG DELTA — Provinces in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta should adapt their export mechanisms to further increase turnover, said Deputy Director of Soc Trang Province's Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Van Ngung. At present, most regional exports consisted of uncompetitive raw-products, he said. Local producers should focus on upgrading technology and improving design to meet international consumer demand and cut costs, he suggested.

Judges are currently involved in a heated online and in-person debate over comments about the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement made by Incheon District Court Senior Judge Kim Ha-neul. As of Friday afternoon, around 170 replies had been made to Kim’s post on the court’s internal bulletin board, lending support to Kim’s proposal to draft a petition to submit to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court requesting the creation of a task force for renegotiation of the FTA. Kim said the petition would be submitted once 100 judges had agreed.