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RCEP & investment

Stop RCEP. Trade for the People. Not for Corporate Elites
7-Mar-2017 People Over Profit
People Over Profit Statement on the 17th Round of Negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Kobe, Japan 27 Feb-3 March 2017
Stop trading workers’ rights over profits
8-May-2017 Forum on FTAs
RCEP magnifies existing inequalities and discriminates against women, indigenous peoples, people living with HIV or other illnesses, people with disabilities,rural communities, farmers and workers
Suddenly, the world’s biggest trade agreement won’t allow corporations to sue governments
17-Sep-2019 The Conversation
Malaysia’s trade minister Datuk Darell Leiking revealed that Malaysia and each of the other 15 parties to the RCEP negotiations had agreed to exclude ISDS provisions from the deal.
Tell us who gains from RCEP: People’s Forum demands as RCEP talks end
28-Jul-2017 People’s Forum against FTAs and RCEP
“Tell us at least now who gains from RCEP,” People’s Forum challenges the Indian government as the 19th round of RCEP negotiations comes to an end
The hidden costs of RCEP and corporate trade deals in Asia
16-Dec-2016 Friends of the Earth International
RCEP also includes the controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism (ISDS), which is facing increasing public criticism and scrutiny worldwide.
Time to terminate trade & investment agreements allowing corporations to sue government
3-Feb-2017 Focus
The recent investment arbitral decision against the Philippines in favor of the Belgian corporation should be a wake up call on the dangers posed by free trade and investment agreements.
Trade Minister of South Korea should not undermine the ISDS reform objectives pursued by the Prime Minister
1-Aug-2019 Occupy FTA
CSOs call for Trade Minister of South Korea should not undermine the ISDS reform objectives pursued by the Prime Minister
Treating intellectual property as an investment, and subjecting it to treaty arbitration, can have undesirable impact
19-Apr-2017 Economic Times
Free trade agreements tend to treat intellectual property as an investment made by investor corporations, allowing private investment disputes to be raised against the host country.
Update on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement – NGO briefing
14-Sep-2015 AFTINET
While RCEP was initially framed as an agreement that would be more flexible for low and middle income countries, there is evidence that some governments from industrialised countries are seeking to pursue aspects which would be very damaging for developing countries.
Where is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership headed?
9-Sep-2016 Spicy IP
The latest round of RCEP talks paints a worrisome picture for the global south, given that it will bring 3.5 billion people and 12% of world trade into its fold.
Why RCEP is more dangerous than bilateral investment treaties
28-Jul-2017 Jakarta Post
Crucial to RCEP’s investment protection chapter is the highly controversial Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism, a system of privatised justice characterised by international arbitration tribunals outside of the reach of domestic legal systems, explains Cecilia Olivet of TNI
Why RCEP is the problem, not the solution
18-May-2017 Inquirer.net
RCEP negotiations have been highly conspiratorial and undemocratic, with all 18 rounds of trade discussions held in secret and no reports shared with the public
Why we must ban secret corporate courts from trade deals
3-May-2018 Friends of the Earth Australia
The ISDS system impedes on national sovereignty to the benefit of corporations, yet places no obligations on investors to behave responsibly, creating an asymmetric system that gives multinationals the same rights as sovereign states.
Will the RCEP morph into another TPP?
12-Jan-2017 Third World Resurgence
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.
With RCEP commitment, India marks big shift in trade policy
23-Mar-2016 Live Mint
New Delhi’s higher level of commitment on investment, services may become template for bilateral treaties