ISDS Case Map
RCEP
Unless there is enough political will to close potential loopholes disguised as “flexibility” and pursue reforms deeper than those ever before attempted, RCEP may be seen as serving the geopolitical interests of a few players, to little economic effect.
President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday reiterated the administration's hope to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in order to allow Taiwan to effectively take part in regional economic integration.
A senior Chinese trade official on Thursday called for the integration of free trade agreements in East Asia, while experts called for an acceleration of domestic reforms geared toward a market-oriented economy to facilitate the establishment of trade pacts.
Some leading political economists have lauded China's renewed interest in the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), telling Xinhua that China would enjoy more leverage on the tenor of negotiations "from the inside."
Under its new trade policy, Korea's top priority will be to conclude negotiations for a bilateral FTA with China at the earliest date possible, while also seeking to speed up negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
The pace to negotiate bilateral or plurilateral free trade agreements has been accelerating rapidly over the last month as the big trading blocs seem eager to position themselves in the race for market access and standards. Special report for Intellectual Property Watch.
Separate multiparty free-trade talks in Asia backed by China and the United States are generally seen as a rivalry between the world's two biggest economies, but some experts say the agreements could prove complementary and ultimately converge.
China and 15 other Asia-Pacific nations have agreed to launch a first round of talks next month aimed at creating one of the world's largest trading blocs. China is trying to outpace a similar effort by the US.
Are the RCEP and TPP really competing for members and agenda items?
Taiwan wants to take part in a proposed regional trade agreement but is still assessing the mode of participation and its impact on industry, an official of the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Saturday.
