ISDS Case Map
CPTPP
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
Panel discussing the rise and fall of major trade deals.
With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, China has an opportunity to be an agenda-setter and demonstrate leadership on global trade.
In highlighting that the drafts of many of its key chapters are substantially similar to those of the TPP, Sanya Reid Smith warns that the RCEP may end up as a replica of the former.
The RCEP, which pointedly excludes the U.S., would allow China much more influence to set regional trade rules and norms.
Negotiations by 16 Asia-Pacific nations to establish the RCEP - the world's largest trading bloc - have been proceeding since 2012. Surveying the negotiations, Biswajit Dhar argues that this ASEAN-led initiative can constitute the building block for a truly viable East Asian Community provided the parties break out from the straitjacket of trade liberalisation.
If he is serious about keeping free trade alive, then the best place for Trump to start would be with Japan, argues Michael Auslin
With the imminent demise of the Tran-Pacific Partnership Agreement almost certain, there are many lessons to be learnt from the fraudulent free trade deal.
The country could replace the US as the region’s major trading partner if the president-elect follows through with his protectionist policies.
Experts say the RCEP can now be the centrepiece of 21st century free trade, a title they previously bestowed on the TPP.
In Trump’s chaos, Abe sees opportunity. With Trump’s leanings toward protectionism, the Japanese prime minister is now in a position to pick up the reins in helping to promote trade among the increasingly interwoven economies of Asia.
