China-Maldives free trade agreement may not endure

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Presidential Election ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Companies ◽  
Opposition Parties

Subject Prospects for the China-Maldives free trade agreement. Significance The Maldivian government is aligning itself with Chinese political and economic interests. The free trade agreement (FTA) it signed with Beijing in late November is raising concerns in India, the Maldives’ longstanding security and economic partner. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen is under pressure domestically from opposition parties who claim the deal was pushed through without following due process. Impacts A growing number of Chinese companies may explore opportunities under the FTA to develop resorts in the Maldives. China, which already provides the most visitors to the country, will increase its share of the Maldives’ tourism market. The Maldivian opposition will seek, and likely receive, Indian support to ensure a fair presidential election. Indian firms may seek to recover control of infrastructure projects if Yameen loses the 2018 poll.

Modelling welfare effects under Pakistan–China free trade agreement

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubna Uzair ◽  
Ahmad Nawaz
Keyword(s):  
Trade Policy ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Trade Creation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

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.

AIIB shows increased US-China institutional rivalry

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Content Type ◽  
White House ◽  
Regional Institutions ◽  
Institutional Competition

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.

Australian push on India ties likely, but with hurdles

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Relations ◽  
Diplomatic Relationship ◽  
Business Structure

Subject Australian policy thinking on India. Significance A blueprint submitted to the Australian government in April, titled 'An India Economic Strategy to 2035', calls for increased export shipments and investment in India through to 2035 and a closer strategic and diplomatic relationship. Impacts Economic relations will evolve slowly, as India is still developing a business structure attractive to foreign investment. Talks on a free trade agreement are unlikely to progress until India agrees to lower market barriers, especially high tariffs. India’s 700,000-strong diaspora in Australia will play a long-term role in connecting markets in the two countries.

Speedy Mexico-EU trade deal promises risks and rewards

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
North American ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Transportation Costs ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North

Subject Mexico-EU trade talks Significance Talks on modernising the Mexico-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have gained urgency since the election of US President Donald Trump as the prospect of an end to free trade within North America forces Mexican officials to get serious about diversifying relations. While negotiators hope to seal a new EU deal by the end of the year, many issues are yet to be addressed and renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is absorbing bureaucratic capacity. Impacts Anti-American sentiment stemming from Washington’s hostility could favour European firms and investors in Mexico. The rush to conclude agreements risks bad deals and political blowback from Mexico’s opposition. Transportation costs and connectivity will ultimately matter more for Mexican diversification than already low tariffs.

Prospects for Mexico and Central America to end-2017

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Central America ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Business As Usual

Subject Prospects for Mexico and Central America to end-2017. Significance The economies of Mexico and Central America will maintain a ‘business as usual’ stance until renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) formally starts later in the year. Growth momentum in the region is therefore likely to be maintained for the rest of 2017. Nonetheless, threats to trade and migration links with the United States, and to remittance income, will drive uncertainty.

Growing US Republican Taiwan focus may provoke Beijing

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trump Administration

Significance Separately, five Republican senators, led by Florida's Marco Rubio, wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 7, requesting she invite Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen to address a joint Congress session. Impacts The proposed US-Taiwan free trade agreement is presently unlikely to advance. The Trump administration might be more willing than others to defend Taiwan, but relations with China will take priorty. Taiwan is exporting its political divisions to the United States; the main opposition Kuomintang will open a Washington office this year.

EU-UK FTA leaves open the prospect of future conflict

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Flows ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Eu

Significance The agreement offers zero quotas and tariffs on most goods, but there is little coverage on services while trade flows face disruption from significant non-tariff barriers. Impacts The deal will make it slightly easier to reach a UK-US free trade agreement, though strong divisions remain. The strict conditionality associated with the FTA suggests Euroscepticism will remain an important feature of UK politics. The process and costs associated with Brexit makes it less likely that Eurosceptic member states will attempt to leave the EU.

Canada-US tariff troubles may flare more broadly

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Foreign Trade ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
North American ◽  
Foreign Relations ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type

Significance Canada has a temporary exemption, but Trump is calling for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations to be completed speedily. The NAFTA and tariffs issues have, therefore, become fused, raising questions about the outlook for Canada-US foreign relations. Impacts In the short term, Canadian steel companies may benefit from reduced foreign providers’ presence in the United States. Canada’s NAFTA negotiators will not respond to the Trump team’s threat to impose tariffs. Canadian businesses will begin to migrate south to take advantage of the new and more competitive US tax regime. Canada’s efforts to diversify its foreign trade and decrease US dependence will further accelerate, but still face hurdles.

Nepal’s Maoist threat is small but could be troubling

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Violence ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Communist Party ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Content Type

Subject Left-wing extremism and governing instability in Nepal. Significance President Bidhya Devi Bhandari late last month signed protocols operationalising a Transit and Transport Agreement (TTA) reached with China in 2016, reflecting the governing Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s continued efforts to break Nepal’s historical dependence on its other major neighbour, India. Separately, there have recently been outbreaks of political violence prompted by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) or CPN (M), which opposes the ‘globalist’ direction in which the country is heading. Impacts The NCP government will come under growing pressure to arrest the CPN (M)’s leadership. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, if re-elected, will likely prioritise a diplomatic visit to Nepal. Nepal and China will expedite talks over a free trade agreement.

ASEAN-EU free trade pact will take time to materialise

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Two Sides ◽  
The Eu

Significance The two sides have long been dialogue partners. They are widely expected to step up negotiations over an inter-regional free trade agreement (FTA). Impacts ASEAN and the EU will collaborate more over COVID-19 recovery efforts, including development and supply of vaccines. The two sides will expedite talks on an air transport agreement to boost connectivity. Non-traditional security issues such as climate change will be key areas of focus in bilateral consultations.

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