ISDS Case Map
actions | resistance
Even as the new agreement between ASEAN nations and its free trade partners establishes the largest trading bloc in the world, it is vehemently being opposed by labor unions, trade justice groups and women’s movements
Bilateral trade agreements often act as door-openers for the manufactured products of multinational food companies. Milk powder with vegetable fat is an example.
Women’s movement from Asia and the Pacific is angered by the decision of ASEAN and its five trading partners to sign RCEP. The trade agreement will cover 30% of the world’s population and women farmers, women workers and women-led small enterprises will be the worst hit from this trade agreement.
An Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by China could hurt small scale farmers, cause more land conflicts, and leave workers in poorer nations without protection as they struggle to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights groups said on Friday.
In a webinar held on 10th November, economic experts, business owners, civil society organisations and parliamentarians expressed their concerns about RCEP, a mega free trade agreement which is likely to be signed on November 15, 2020.
As the 10 ASEAN countries and their 5 trading partners get ready to sign the anti-people trade deal, the countries must conduct social and human rights impact analysis on RCEP before signing or ratifying it.
The Kenyan Trade Cabinet received a 20,000–strong petition calling on her to take a strong stand against any influence by the American Chemistry Council, which Greenpeace said is keen to secure market for the US plastic industry.
Labour unions in Asia Pacific condemn this outcome and will continue working with our affiliates and allies to intervene in the enactment, ratification and implementation process of RCEP.
We, the undersigning economists, consider it important to inform the public that the economic models used to calculate those ostensible gains are inadequate for assessing the social and environmental impacts of this agreement.
UK-Kenya trade must be fit for the 21st century, say campaign groups.
