Environment

United Nations Launches Capacity-Building Task Force on Environment, Trade, and Development

Bangkok, 15 February 2000 --- The UN Environment Programme and the UN Conference on Trade and Environment are launching here today a new Capacity Building Task Force that will assist developing countries in integrating their trade, environment, and development policies so that they are mutually supportive of sustainable development.

Trade Talks Must Address Labor Issues - U.S. Official

BRASILIA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley said on Monday the United States is not trying to impose labor and environmental standards on the developing world, but those concerns need to be addressed in trade talks.

Peaceful Protest at UN Trade Meeting

By BUSABA SIVASOMBOON / Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Hundreds of police braced for a repeat of the violent protests that plunged Seattle into chaos last December were greeted instead by only a few minutes of pushing Saturday at the opening of an international trade conference in Thailand.

Lawmakers Are Warned to Back China Trade or Lose Contributions

The Wall Street Journal / By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS WASHINGTON -- Top business executives are issuing a blunt warning to federal lawmakers: Vote against the trade deal with China, and we will hold it against you when writing campaign checks.

Sweeney Calls for WTO Reforms; Democrats Address UAW Conference

AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney Feb. 8 warned a congressional trade panel that the protests at the World Trade Organization's Seattle meetings will be just the tip of the iceberg if global trade practices are not adjusted to address the needs and concerns of working families.

UNCTAD is in a Unique Position

The Nation With the failure of the WTO, the IMF, G-7 and other bodies, Unctad has an opportunity to influence the world, write Walden Bello and Nicola Bullard.

Barshefsky: French Elections Could Hamper Trade Talks

The Wall Street Journal WASHINGTON -- The political atmosphere of next year's French elections will make it more difficult to launch a new round of global trade talks, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said Tuesday.

Japan to Set Up Team to Prevent Protests at Summit

TOKYO, Feb 4 (Reuters) -- Fearing demonstrators will wreck the Group of Eight summit in July, Japan said on Friday it would set up a special task force to try to prevent a repeat of the protests that disrupted December's world trade talks in Seattle.

Clinton Is Beating the Drum for Imports as Trade Fights Loom

The Wall Street Journal By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS, Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WASHINGTON -- GOP Rep. David Dreier of California, a free-trade true believer, remembers the moment well: In the galley of Air Force One, somewhere over South America, he urged President Clinton to say something nice about imports for a change.

Sweeney Letter on China Vote

Inside US Trade January 28, 2000 Dear Representative: