bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

RCEP

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)

Dozens of grassroots groups want changes to ‘secret’ trade pact
2-Aug-2018 Asia Times
While some states in East and Southeast Asia favor the 16-nation RCEP trade deal, many civil society groups say it lacks transparency and public participation.
Singapore eyes year-end to conclude world’s biggest free-trade deal
2-Aug-2018 AFP
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Southeast Asian countries were "redoubling their efforts to conclude the RCEP … by the end of the year".
16 nations reach 2 more deals in RCEP talks
31-Jul-2018 The Japan News
Negotiators from Asia-Oceania countries struck deals on customs procedures and trade facilitation and government procurement covered by RCEP free trade agreement. Adding to two previously concluded chapter of economic and technical cooperation as well as small businesses.
RCEP: People’s movements resist free trade agreement
26-Jul-2018 Peoples Dispatch
Organizations across the Asia Pacific region have come together to oppose the secrecy surrounding the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Oral Statement: Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) for the 23rd round RCEP negotiation, Bangkok, Thailand, July 23rd, 2018
25-Jul-2018 IGJ
Redlines for investment provision in RCEP negotiation
RCEP negotiation must stop, demands Assembly of the Poor, Thailand
25-Jul-2018 La Via Campesina
Free trade negotiation never benefits the poor. But it gives opportunities for the capitalist transnational corporations to control and dictate the food and agriculture systems absolutely.
RCEP has human rights concerns: Women’s groups
24-Jul-2018 APWLD
The women’s groups strongly reject RCEP as it reinforces a destructive development model that the existing free trade agreements and the policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation have inflicted upon the world’s poor and particularly poor women.
RCEP agreement puts future of Thai people at risk
24-Jul-2018 Bangkok Post
The Thai government is about to enter a trade deal that could seriously harm the reform agenda and deprive communities of the ability to make decisions for fear of violating investors’ rights.
Activists gather in Bangkok to discuss countering RCEP
23-Jul-2018 Peoples Dispatch
The deal is likely to deal a huge blow to the less developed countries in the Asia-Pacific region and benefit big corporations and the richer countries.
Peoples movements reject the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
20-Jul-2018 APWLD
More than 80 participants representing trade union, farmers, indigenous peoples, health and patients networks, women’s organisations, academia and civil society organisations from the region have gathered in Thailand on the sidelines of the 23rd round of RCEP negotiations.
Trade deals putting health at risk
20-Jul-2018 Bangkok Post
A leaked draft of the negotiating text has revealed some proposed harmful intellectual property provisions that could undermine access to price-lowering, generic medicines, and thus, life-saving treatment to millions of people.
Secret RCEP trade deal fails international standards of transparency, experts warn
20-Jul-2018 Friends of the Earth International
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership involving 16 nations from Asia-Pacific will impact the lives of over three billion people, yet a new study reveals how the deal fails international standards of transparency and public engagement.
No RCEP campaign: Thai women’s groups reject RCEP
19-Jul-2018 APWLD
Women’s rights organisations from Thailand say NO to RCEP as the neoliberal free trade agreement will only exacerbate inequality and the negative impact on their livelihoods.
Secrecy in RCEP trade deal threatens Asian democracies
19-Jul-2018 Jakarta Post
With a global trade war looming and public faith in corporate globalization at an all-time low, secrecy in trade deals cannot be accepted. People have a right to know what is being negotiated in their name.
RCEP events in Bangkok, 20-24 July 2018
17-Jul-2018
Spotlight on negotiations of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in Bangkok
17-Jul-2018
Civil society organisations from the RCEP negotiating countries will hold a press briefing at the FCCT on 20th July, Friday, 1.00 - 2.00 P.M. to highlight concerns regarding RCEP negotiations on human rights, intellectual property and investment rules.
Briefer: Mega-FTAs and its implications on Asian Workers
17-Jul-2018 APRN
Cross-regional mega-FTAs are now being preferred over bilateral and plurilateral trade agreements as imperialist powers compete for cheap labor, sources of raw materials, and markets.
Kerala pushes for consensus with other States on FTAs
16-Jul-2018 The Hindu
The Kerala government is reaching out to other south Indian States in a bid to create lobbying power to influence the Central government policy on international trade treaties and to cushion the impact of Free Trade Agreements on various domestic sectors.
Investor vs state interests debate heats up
16-Jul-2018 Bangkok Post
Ahead of the 23rd round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership there has been growing concern over its investment chapters that will let foreign investors’ benefits overrride public interests.
RCEP: India must uphold peoples’ rights and welfare
11-Jul-2018 APRN
Joining the RCEP would definitely have economic, social and environmental costs for India. Threats to the livelihoods of millions of farmers and workers due to cheaper imports are real and present danger.