Publication

This paper discusses whether big-block trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are good for international trade and regional economic integration as well as what stance ASEAN and its member states should take in these negotiations. The author argues that free trade agreements (FTA) do not necessarily boost trade and foreign investment. ASEAN member states must therefore not only push for ambitious multilateral agreements, but also further pursue unilateral liberalization and the extension of already existing FTAs to non-members in order to maximize their economic benefits.