Tag "RCEP"
A Big Deal: Signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
On November 15th 2020, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was signed. An ASEAN-led initiative, the agreement was signed during a virtual ceremony in Vietnam. The bloc takes sole position as the world’s largest trading bloc, representing roughly 30% of global GDP.
The signing of this imminent and long-awaited free trade agreement is between 15 nations: the 10 ASEAN members in addition to China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
The timing of this pan-Asian trading agreeement’s signing is symbolic – amid a global pandemic that has shaken the global economy and caused free trade and globalisation to be questioned; however, it’s significance goes far beyond symbolism.
While this agreement appears to support ASEAN’s incrementalist approach, the pact will do little to halt China’s creeping dominance over the surrounding region, nor influence America’s position of distancing itself from China, or indeed influence any agreement in which China plays a part.
Australia’s Asia-Pacific trade balancing act
The Trump administration’s mixed messages on its security and trade relationships in the Asia-Pacific is forcing Australia into a more assertive trade role.
Significant Barriers Remain for Asia’s RCEP deal
India’s commerce secretary claims “enough political will [exists] to expedite the conclusion” of RCEP. Yet many barriers, both economic & political remain.
Possible South Korean THAAD deployment upsets China
Recently, a U.S. proposal to deploy its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to South Korea has impacted the security calculations of Northeast Asian countries. The proposal comes in the
Weekly Risk Outlook
ASEAN Summit in California. Fed bankers speak. Brussels Summit covers Brexit and refugees. Uganda’s elections to continue decades of rule. U.S. campaigns heat up. All in the Weekly Risk Outlook. ASEAN
Key takeaways from the 2015 APEC summit
Investing in human capital, building inclusive communities, and strengthening collaboration were at the forefront of the 2015 APEC summit in Manila. The 2015 Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Thailand and the TPP: Exports at Risk
What will the recently-struck TPP agreement mean for Thailand? With a final agreement on the Trans Pacific Partnership reached and ratification at the national level pending, concerns over lost competitiveness
Trans Pacific Partnership: Shaping a new regional architecture
The TPP will set standards and tariffs for twelve Pacific Rim countries that all together represent 40% of the global economy. Meanwhile, China is not included in the agreement. The Trans
Race against the clock for the TPP
The TPP negotiations in Hawaii last week have failed to reach an agreement in what was seen as one of the final chances to push it through. While there remains
