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RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)

China-Japan-SK FTA to speed up with RCEP push
19-Nov-2020 Global Times
In the wake of the successful signing of the world’s largest trade deal - RCEP that encompasses a third of the global economy, a higher level trilateral free trade agreement(FTA) among China, Japan and South Korea is likely to be reached sooner than expected.
State puts RCEP pact on fast track
18-Nov-2020 Bangkok Post
Seeing the pact as a vital tool for economic recovery and growth, Thai ministry expects free trade among RCEP members to start by the middle of next year, following almost eight years of talks.
RCEP, a threat to our rights - POP
18-Nov-2020 People Over Profit
RCEP is a threat to people’s rights. Thus, it is imperative that the people push back the neoliberal narrative of RCEP and confront the corporate dictates over economic and political policies.
Secretive mega-trade deal rules could harm Asia’s Covid-19 recovery
18-Nov-2020 Inter Press Service News Agency
Fifteen countries will sign a mega-trade deal at the ASEAN conference this weekend imposing secretive restrictions on how governments help workers through the pandemic, trade union leaders and parliamentarians have warned.
What is RCEP and why are Trade Unions in the Asia-Pacific Region concerned about It?
18-Nov-2020 News Click
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
Explainer: What happens now the RCEP trade deal has been signed?
17-Nov-2020 Reuters
Fifteen Asia-Pacific economies signed what could become the world’s largest free trade agreement on Sunday, covering nearly a third of the global population and about 30% of its global gross domestic product.
No agreements that are FTAs by stealth with China, to focus on EU, US: India on RCEP
17-Nov-2020 The Economic Times
India will avoid joining agreements which are actually trade pacts by stealth with China and instead explore trade agreements with developed countries with large markets such as the US and EU where Indian products and services would be competitive unlike ASEAN.
Taiwan talks up trans-Pacific trade pact after exclusion from world’s largest free-trade bloc RCEP
16-Nov-2020 The Straits Times
Trade-dependent Taiwan has made relatively good progress towards joining the revamped version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but it is awaiting clearer rules on membership, the island’s chief trade negotiator said.
Women’s rights groups angered on decision to sign RCEP
15-Nov-2020 APWLD
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.
RCEP: Asia-Pacific countries form world’s largest trading bloc
15-Nov-2020 BBC News
Fifteen countries have formed the world’s largest trading bloc, covering nearly a third of the global economy. The RCEP is made up of 10 Southeast Asian countries, as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Fears world’s biggest trade deal could spark conflicts, hurt farmers
13-Nov-2020 Thomson Reuters Foundation News
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.
RCEP will impact the future of developing countries
13-Nov-2020 Indonesia for Global Justice
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.
Women’s movement across Asia and the Pacific demand #NoRCEP
13-Nov-2020 APWLD
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.
Labour unions in Asia Pacific condemn RCEP deal
12-Nov-2020 Trade Justice Unions
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.
RCEP nations to sign Asian trade megadeal Sunday, with clause for India
12-Nov-2020 Nikkei Asia
Ministers from 15 countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreed Wednesday to sign the long-awaited trade deal at a summit Sunday, leaving the door open for reluctant India to return later.
China and 14 other nations ready to sign RCEP, world’s largest trade deal, before change of leadership in US
11-Nov-2020 South China Morning Post
China is expected to sign a mega regional trade deal with 14 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region this weekend, wrapping up a major agreement before the next United States administration comes into office.
Japan to keep tariffs on sensitive farm product imports in RCEP deal
11-Nov-2020 The Mainichi
Japan will exempt its key farm products including rice and wheat from being subject to tariff cuts or elimination in a mega regional trade deal between Asia-Pacific countries including China, a draft of the agreement showed Tuesday.
China’s Xi says country will speed up trade talks with EU, Japan and South Korea
4-Nov-2020 CNBC
In a major speech on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping talked up his country’s plans for playing a greater role in global trade, without mentioning ongoing tensions with the US.
Indonesian trade minister discussed the RCEP draft at the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ meeting
4-Nov-2020 Radar Bangsa
Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto attended a virtual ’special caucus’ meeting of 10 ASEAN Economic Ministers discussed status of the RCEP draft and consolidated ASEAN countries’ position in preparation for the signing of RCEP agreement in this year.
A quantitative assessment of India’s withdrawal from RCEP: issues and concerns
29-Oct-2020 TWN
This study casts serious doubt on earlier more optimistic projections of projected gains and shows that the case for proceeding with the RCEP without India’s participation is even less convincing.