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geopolitics


US tells Kenya to publicly support Israel or forget free trade deal
The US indicates that the deal with Kenya should, with respect to commercial partnerships, discourage actions that prejudice or discourage business between the US and Israel.
Australia seeks to further boost trade & ties with India to cut dependence on China
Australia’s escalating tensions with Beijing have shown up its reliance on China trade and propelled a push to increase links with Asia’s other giant economy, India.
The path forward for Asean
Now most countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia, are not only facing the economic and social repercussions of a protracted outbreak but also witnessing emerging trends that will permanently change the way we live and do business.
Economic diplomacy: Borders, barriers and obstacles
The big reshoring question is still about how much foreign investment will shift from China due to a combination of rising production costs and more fractious diplomatic relationships.
Indo-Pacific guidelines: Germany’s new China plan
Berlin wants to diversify its relations, position itself more broadly, conclude further free trade agreements – also in order to no longer be so dependent on Beijing.
The RCEP talks and India’s anxieties
The biggest concern of India with RCEP at this juncture is not merely the economic reasons, but more geopolitical: the existence of China.
Trumping the US; China could join the CPTPP
As political and trade tensions with the United States rise, and its image as a global leader is tarnished by riots, China has indicated it could join the CPTPP which New Zealand belongs to.
“Modi Diplomacy” and the future of Japan-India relations
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has been walking a tightrope between the United States and China even as it nurses its own ambitions for global leadership. Horimoto Takenori assesses the role of the Japan-India relationship in this dynamic context.
Pompeo presses Israel to distance from China
A China-Israel agreement could strengthen the Chinese influence in the management of the new port at Haifa. This is a scenario that keeps the Americans awake at night.
China-ASEAN trade to blossom in hard times
Economic complementarity, lower shipping costs and the upcoming Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will substantially expand bilateral trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year.
China eyes further Northeast Asian economic integration in RCEP
Stepping into the role that the United States could have had at the helm of TPP, Beijing has offered a deal that puts it firmly in a leadership role. Through RCEP, the future of the broader Asia-Pacific economy has a diminished role for the United States.
Why China – not the US – remains key to Asia’s trade and economic recovery after Covid-19
China’s economy is expected to grow this year, it is capable of generating the jobs and trade needed for recovery, and looks ready to lead. In contrast, the US economy is shrinking and champions of free trade and investment are lacking.
India & Russia plan to open new trade route via Iran despite threat of US sanctions
Opening a long-pending multi-modal transportation corridor via Iran will be a big boost for bilateral trade between Russia and India, but it’s not just the economy at stake. This is a bold move against the threat of US sanctions.
US urges Australia to expand Pacific push to South-East Asia to counter China’s expansion
The Trump Administration has called on the Morrison Government to extend its "step-up" strategy in the Pacific to South-East Asia, as Washington grapples with China’s rising regional influence.
Chengdu Trilateral Summit still to deliver
The fact that China, Japan and South Korea (CJK) engaged in an agreed-upon trilateral summit framework, and bilateral dialogues on the sidelines, was no small achievement given heightened tensions between the three countries.
India’s geopolitical blunder will lead to economic woes
For New Delhi, though, RCEP is first and foremost an economic deal that could hurt its more vulnerable industries and lead to near-term pain.
Is free trade dead?
Conflict over trade dominated the economic headlines in 2019, so it’s surprising that the year ended with significant progress on three trade agreements.Each tells a different story about the outlook both for the global economy and for relations between nations.
Trade, not aid, is the way to persuade Pakistan to buck China’s influence
As with many other countries, Pakistan’s FTA with China has had a devastating impact on its domestic SMEs. Beijing and Islamabad have a strategic partnership, but the Chinese remain cutthroat competitors in trade.
Dumping by China? Singapore imports surge under the scanner
This level of annual spike in imports from Singapore has been unheard of despite the existence of the FTA for around 14 years now.
Japan won’t sign China-backed trade deal if India doesn’t join
Abe seeks to bolster India ties to balance China’s clout.