ISDS Case Map
RCEP
President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. made a pitch for a free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union to shore up economic recovery following the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A ‘non-aligned’ foreign policy is key, as is Asean’s preference for dialogue and cooperation over the intense rivalry of the great powers.
Hong Kong expects to be joining the RCEP as the administration sets to discuss its inclusion with all 15 RCEP members next year. Economic analysts see the presence of Hong Kong in the free-trade bloc as a boost to the ASEAN economy.
While government officials have said that FTAs are important to attract investors to the country, some civil society organisations voiced concerns at the forum that the deals did not appear to be of any benefit to smallholder farmers.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is yet to make a decision on the ratification of the RCEP as he wants to ensure the trade agreement will not be detrimental to local industries.
The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) is conducting further studies on possible outcomes of the country joining the world's largest China-led trade deal, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, officially ratified the RCEP, a regional free trade agreement involving 10 ASEAN countries and five partner countries, which are Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and South Korea.
The Civil Society Coalition for Economic Justice condemned the plenary session of the Indonesian House of Representatives which ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Indonesia-Korea CEPA agreement.
Indonesia’s parliament passed a law cementing the country’s membership of the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), making it the latest Southeast Asian nation to join the world’s biggest trade bloc.
China will implement a negative list for cross-border trade in services, expand opening-up in the services sector and bolster digital trade to shore up economic growth, said government officials.
