BRICS trade strategies might be headed for a shift

Subject Prospects for a change the BRICS' trade strategies. Significance At their leaders' summit in Ufa, Russia on July 8-9 and at the trade ministers' meeting in Moscow on July 13, BRICS countries emphasised the need to enhance intra-group economic cooperation, especially trade policy. The meetings also saw a shift in BRICS statements on protectionism, consistent with data that show how other developing countries are harming the BRICS' commercial interests the most. These developments raise questions over the BRICS' commercial policy strategy and whether it is likely to change, at a time when many countries are negotiating regional trade agreements and hopes are high for the completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Impacts A free trade agreement between the BRICS is unlikely in the near term. The 'Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership' includes no timetable of next steps, either in general or in commercial policy terms. Claims that the BRICS are a positive force in the multilateral trading system will be harder to sustain.

Significance Talks will be held virtually because of restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A key focus will be finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) involving the ten ASEAN members and five of the bloc’s dialogue partners. Impacts Discussion at the summits about non-traditional security issues such as climate change are unlikely to result in substantive outcomes. Countries deemed to be at low risk from COVID-19 may push for a common framework to reboot business and leisure travel. Formal launch of a COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, announced at June’s ASEAN summit, may spur greater regional cooperation over the pandemic.


Significance Beijing’s announcement came shortly after it and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement (FTA). Some US partners want Washington to join the CPTPP. Impacts As the largest economy in RCEP, China will have greater leverage in defining trade standards in the region. RCEP’s standardised rules of origin will enable its members to strengthen supply chains within the bloc. The United States remaining outside the CPTPP could diminish the pact’s appeal to the United Kingdom, which wants to become a member.


Significance Most of ASEAN’s dialogue partners will be present at the talks in Bangkok. High on the agenda will be attempts to conclude negotiations over the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a projected free trade agreement (FTA) involving the ten ASEAN members and six dialogue partners with which the South-east Asian regional bloc has existing FTAs. Impacts ASEAN and China may announce progress on talks over a second draft of the South China Sea Code of Conduct, although this remains distant. Malaysia could renew calls for ASEAN to pressure Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis, testing the regional bloc’s unity. ASEAN members will likely adopt guidelines for cooperating on regulation of the digital economy and social media.


Significance All are aiming to revive economies badly hit by the pandemic’s fallout. The ten ASEAN states and five of the bloc’s dialogue partners recently signed a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement (FTA) that will progressively lower tariffs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Vaya Nabila Safitri

Research conducted to find out what was done by Australia-ASEAN in the economic field. The method used by researchers is deductive, in which the paragraphs are collected in general or the main idea of the paragraphs and then conclusions are drawn specifically. The type of research conducted is qualitative research in which collects data used by researchers, namely Library Studies (Library Research). Based on the results and discussion of ASEAN is an important part of economic prosperity in Australia. As a regional organization in the Southeast Asian region, ASEAN is currently the largest trading partner with Australia. Cooperation between Australia and ASEAN includes the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN-Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Australia has welcomed the cooperation agreement. This cooperation agreement is important for trade in our region which will drive export opportunities for Australian businesses and facilitate more local employment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubna Uzair ◽  
Ahmad Nawaz

PurposeThis paper aims to empirically examine the trade creation and diversion impacts on merchandise imports of Pakistan under the Pakistan–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The analysis of Pakistan’s preferential treatment with its largest trade partner as well as the most substantial exporter of the world will help to shape trade policy, open windows for academic research and also gives an immense contribution in literature.Design/methodology/approachA disaggregated panel data on the imports of Pakistan from China and other WTO member countries and tariff concessions at Harmonized System (HS) two-digit level used for the agreement period of 2006-2012. The empirical analysis takes care of bias through robust and panel-corrected standard errors with time, industry-specific effects and controlling for multilateral trade resistance.FindingsEvidence found in support of trade creation under the Pakistan–China FTA. It means overall this agreement increased the welfare of Pakistani consumers.Practical implicationsFindings are in favour of negotiations and signing for the next round of this agreement and with other major trade partners like the US and Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueIt is worth investigating empirically the impact of preferential trade liberalization between Pakistan – a developing country – and China – the largest importer of the world – explicitly, in the form of trade creation or diversion. The empirical assessment of this FTA signed with the world’s largest exporter will not only contribute immensely to the literature but also help in trade policy formulation and open windows for academic research. Another unique aspect of this study is the use of disaggregated data consisting of all goods imports along with tariff concessions at two-digit Harmonized System (HS) code.


Significance London's actions drew a harsh, if unofficial, reaction from the White House. It underscores the growing rivalry between the United States and China over the changing architecture of global and regional institutions. Impacts Institutional competition will not spill over much into the security field, where China's neighbours seek to balance it. Increased European involvement in South-east Asia will accelerate movement towards an EU-ASEAN free trade agreement. Increased international prestige could help Chinese President Xi Jinping's domestic clout.


Subject Brexit's impact on Brazil's trade outlook. Significance The process of UK withdrawal from the EU (Brexit) will produce complex, uncertain and far-reaching economic effects. Brazil faces Brexit while undergoing a severe recession and profound political crisis. Trade has offered the only positive economic news in Brazil during 2016, owing largely to currency depreciation and depressed import demand. Impacts If Brexit reinforces the decline in Chinese growth, this will have a negative impact on Brazil's exports. Crucially, it is also likely to delay the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur. Near-term, Brexit represents an additional source of uncertainty, with increased instability in financial and currency markets.


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