bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

ASEAN


India in talks with China, Australia, New Zealand to crack mega trade deal
India is holding bilateral dialogues with China, Australia and New Zealand to get them to agree to less ambitious tariff cuts for sensitive products. The aim is to end the logjam in the negotiations for the mega regional trade bloc, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
New impetus for Belt and Road from Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit provided an opportunity for China to re-affirm its strong relationship with the core countries along the land route to Europe.
Singapore, India trade pact review: tariff cuts, flexible rules of origin announced under CECA
Singapore and India have concluded the second review of their preferential trade pact – the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Malaysia keen to avoid China’s Belt Road Initiative tangle
The Government of Malaysia has said that while it has good bilateral relations with China, it would not be keen to go overboard in getting involved in Beijing’s BRI.
China’s New Silk road faces resistance from India, partners
The highly ambitious Belt and Road Initiative promises to fortify China as an economic superpower. But negotiations around the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor are proving contentious.
Can RCEP negotiations be concluded by end-2018?
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) inched closer to completion last March when the ministers of all 16 countries met in Singapore for their fourth intersessional meeting. Next up on the almanac for leaders is a ministerial meeting which will be held in Tokyo on 1 July.
Chinese officials to visit India to discuss RCEP issues, says Prabhu
Chinese officials will visit India soon to hold bilateral discussions on the issues hampering the negotiations of the proposed mega free trade deal — Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said.
ASEAN official media statement on RCEP intersession in Singapore
Joint media statement on the 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) intersessional ministerial meeting.
New government still deciding to pursue trade pact
The Malaysian government will review several trade agreements such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to see if its viable to be part of the trade partnerships.
Local metal output hits FTA roadblock
According to the recently published report by the NITI Aayog on FTAs states that India’s exports to FTA countries have not outperformed overall export growth or exports to the rest of the world; and also FTAs have led to increased imports and exports; the former has been greater.
Perspectives on Pacific geopolitics
The rise of China in the Indo-Pacific has also challenged the long-standing dominance of US in Asia. Therefore, political uncertainty in the US, rapid economic growth, China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its growing assertiveness, and erosion of ASEAN unity – among others – has compelled India to step up its contribution to a region that is also of vital economic interest to India.
China joins ASEAN countries’ chorus for free trade
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday pledged to jointly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), so as to inject positive energy into the world economy.
Asean gets tough on the US over trade, but tiptoes around South China Sea build-up
With Singapore as chair of the regional bloc this year, China has an advantage as the focus shifts from geopolitics to trade and investment.
ASEAN leaders call for boosting connectivity, resolving RCEP trade talks "expeditiously"
Leaders of the ASEAN gathered in Singapore on Saturday 28 April to review the bloc’s goals going forward, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong calling for greater regional collaboration and integration as a way to bolster against external pressures, including trade tensions among major economies such as the US and China.
Thailand wants to join TPP ’as soon as possible,’ says deputy PM
Thailand wants to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership "as soon as possible," Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told visiting Japanese Economic and Fiscal Policy and Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi who is in charge of negotiations for the pact on Tuesday.
EU upgrades IPR category of PH in terms of protection, enforcement
Despite serious concerns on copyright piracy, the EU has raised the Philippines’ standing from “bad” to “better” in the area of protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Asean leaders deeply concerned about protectionism, say it is urgent to conclude RCEP talks
Asean leaders last week said they were "deeply concerned" over the rising tide of protectionism and anti-globalisation sentiment, and reiterated their continued support for a multilateral trading system.
China’s Hong Kong seeks closer ties with Indonesia, ASEAN under FTA, Belt and Road Initiative
An official delegation from China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is seeking closer ties in economic and other areas with Indonesia as well as ASEAN under the Hong Kong-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Thailand aims to join TPP trade deal
Thailand intends to join the TPP deal, which counts Japan and Australia among its members, after it takes effect. The existing 11 member countries are seeking to have it take effect this year.
Indonesia targets to conclude RCEP negotiations this year
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita has said that the government is planning to finish negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year, as, currently, progress in negotiations stands at about 80 percent.