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RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)

Why is the agriculture sector against RCEP?
31-May-2022 Philstar Global
The current Senate should defer further action on RCEP. President-elect Bongbong Marcos and the incoming Congress can then review the agreement and craft the country’s trade policy, consistent with an overall plan for the revitalization and competitiveness of Philippine agriculture.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is not an FTA: 5 things to know
20-May-2022 Nikkei Asia
Tailored pact seeks to counter China’s clout while protecting US workers.
DTI bats for two more major trade deals
16-May-2022 Manila Bulletin
Aside from the Philippines’ pending accession to the mega free trade deal RCEP, the government is also strongly pushing for the country’s participation in the CPTPP and the Indo Pacific Economic Framework.
Malaysia touts trade access as US Indo-Pacific plan only a ’good beginning’
16-May-2022 Reuters
Malaysia views US President Joe Biden’s proposed Indo-Pacific economic bloc as a welcome initiative but sees a bigger immediate opportunity in selling its access to a China-led trade pact.
‘Indo-Pacific Economic Framework’ not a blessing to Asia
16-May-2022 Khmer Times
IPEF is created to encourage regional economies to “decouple” from the Chinese market by leading them to alternative supply chains.
DTI still hopeful for RCEP concurrence this month
11-May-2022 Philippine News Agency
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) remains hopeful that the Senate will concur with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Asean-led free trade deal with its five free trade partners, this month.
Farmer union rep vows Indian people will resist FTAs
29-Apr-2022 bilaterals.org
Interview with Vijoo Krishnan, joint secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (or All India Peasants Union) regarding current India FTAs negotiations.
What is IPEF, and will it help the US counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific?
14-Apr-2022 South China Morning Post
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework seeks to establish trade rules and is widely seen as an effort by the US to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Government likely to miss RCEP ratification target in Q1
29-Mar-2022 The Jakarta Post
Indonesia is likely to close its first quarter this year without ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), costing businesses and further delaying its economy from benefiting from the world’s largest free trade agreement.
World’s largest trade deal RCEP comes into effect in Malaysia
23-Mar-2022 Xinhua Net
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest trade deal so far, came into effect in Malaysia from 18 March 2022.
Hong Kong applies to join RCEP trade agreement
24-Feb-2022 Bangkok Post
Hong Kong has submitted an application to join the 15-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, the government said.
PH censures Myanmar, rejects its ratification of RCEP free trade pact
23-Feb-2022 CNN
After New Zealand notified it would not recognize Myanmar’s “instrument of ratification” of the RCEP because it opposes its military-led government, the Philippines will reject Myanmar’s instrument of ratification as well.
Philippines follows suit after NZ rejects Myanmar’s inclusion in world’s largest trade pact
21-Feb-2022 Stuff
Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr told his Southeast Asian counterparts in a Thursday meeting in Cambodia that the Philippines would not accept Myanmar’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a 15-nation free trade agreement that went into effect January 1.
China to further open services sector
14-Feb-2022 China Daily
China’s commitments under RCEP will will usher in a new era of liberalization in the country’s services industry.
RCEP deferment: An opportunity to re-think trade policy
10-Feb-2022 Business Mirror
The Senate bowed to the wishes of over 100 peasant organizations and 200 mayors of municipalities engaged in organic farm production. The senators deferred to May the chamber’s decision on whether to ratify or not the RCEP.
RCEP: why benefits from the world’s largest trade pact may not be as clear-cut as they seem
10-Feb-2022 South China Morning Post
More than a month after the world’s largest trade pact came into force, questions remain over its practical application and potential benefits for small businesses, the e-commerce sector and workers.
Food producers reject RCEP
7-Feb-2022 The Manila Times
Local fish, pork and chicken producers formed a united front against the RCEP and urged the Philippine Senate to defer ratification of the "lopsided" international trade accord.
RCEP: A geopolitical gain for China
3-Feb-2022 Modern Diplomacy
China has won a big geopolitical win with the RCEP as the deal improves Asia’s economic connectivity closing to China’s economic orbit as a result of tighter integration.
Trade justice advocates to senators: Which side are you on?
31-Jan-2022 Trade Justice - Pilipinas
Trade Justice Pilipinas reiterates its call to the Senate to deny concurrence to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
What’s next for the long-awaited China-Japan-South Korea FTA?
28-Jan-2022 The Diplomat
Will RCEP be able to accelerate the negotiation process for the China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement?