Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's senior campaign strategist Mark Penn has resigned following reports that his involvement in a public relations firm posed a conflict of interests.

India and Hong Kong have initiated talks on a free trade agreement and plan to enter into a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) to promote bilateral trade and investment.

At a trade summit between India and the European Union, officials have called for a comprehensive economic agreement to be in place during 2008. As VOA correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi, however, there are doubts that a trade pact can come that quickly and in one piece.

President Bush Friday urged the U.S. Congress to approve a set of free trade accords with Colombia, Panama and Peru. VOA's Brian Wagner reports that Mr. Bush said the trade deals will benefit U.S. business and boost democracy in the region.

Top U.S. and Indian officials will meet next week to discuss ways to boost business ties as well as last-ditch efforts to reach a world trade deal.

The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expects to sign a free trade agreement with India by the middle of next year.

The United States and South Korea signed a free trade agreement Saturday that could become Washington's biggest deal since the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement.

Several South American presidents meeting in Tarija, Bolivia, have agreed to start trade talks with the European Union. However, Thursday's summit of the Community of Andean Nations exposed differences among the leaders of the four-nation CAN.

A proposed free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea is still facing opposition from some members of Congress. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill.

Japanese farmers have held a protest rally in the centre of Tokyo over a proposed free trade agreement with Australia.

The European Union has begun trade talks with South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, analysts say the European Union's push in Asia follows the example of the United States and other nations seeking trade deals in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

Ministers from six key economies failed to clinch a world trade liberalization deal Thursday, but, after a meeting in New Delhi, have proposed a new deadline to complete the negotiations. VOA's Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.