Japan s Entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Domestic Priorities and Regional Dynamics
|
|
- Ambrose Pitts
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 co m mentary Japan s Entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Domestic Priorities and Regional Dynamics BY AURELIA GEORGE MULGAN Published: July 12, 2013 In less than three months after taking office, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan would join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. Compared with the delay and indecision of the previous administrations under the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), this was lighting speed. What made it all the more surprising was the negative stance of Abe s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on the TPP in its election manifesto, which stated that it would oppose participating in the TPP negotiations as long as they were premised on tariff abolition without exceptions. This was a revised version of an initially more positive statement that We will support participating in the TPP negotiations as long as they are not premised on tariff abolition without exceptions. 1 The switch was made in order to win over farmers and agricultural organizations in the election, and the strong stand against the TPP and its principle of eliminating all 1 Tokushū TPP e jijitsujō no kyōtei sanka, Abe shushō no ōkina kake (TPP ketsudan) [Feature: Virtual Participation in the TPP Agreement, Prime Minister Abe s Big Bet (TPP Decision)], Gendai Business (Mainichi Forum), April 22, 2013, tariffs contributed to the restoration of the party s electoral support base in rural areas. Not surprisingly, many farmers and agricultural cooperative leaders felt betrayed by the later turnaround in government policy. The Central Role of Abenomics Prime Minister Abe s decisive leadership on the TPP issue is a direct reflection of the central importance he and his government place on restoring growth to the Japanese economy under the rubric of Abenomics. As Abe told President Obama in February, the revival of the Japanese economy is significant for both Japan AURELIA GEORGE MULGAN is Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Canberra. She is the author of a number of books and articles on Japanese politics, political economy, and international relations, and has published in journals such as Foreign Affairs, the Washington Quarterly, and World Policy Journal. Her forthcoming book is The Last Shadow Shogun: Ozawa Ichiro and the Paradox of Old and New Politics.
2 and the U.S. and also for the world. 2 Certainly it is important for Japan to remain an economic power in Asia. In his role as cheerleader for the Japanese economy, Abe has articulated a multi-pronged economic growth strategy in which trade liberalization and the pursuit of free trade agreements, including the TPP, are core ingredients. Furthermore, he has in place a strong line-up of pro-tpp government and party executives in Toshimitsu Motegi, minister of economy, trade, and industry; Yoshimasa Hayashi, minister of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; and Masahiko Komura, vice-president of the LDP. Abe accepts that the key to his administration s success and continuing public popularity is maintaining strong prospects for economic growth. While a slowdown in the Japanese economy might make the TPP even more of an economic imperative, the prime minister would find it more politically difficult to deliver on his trade strategy if economic difficulties undermined public support for his administration. Since the TPP announcement on March 15, the government has moved ahead with a series of important trade initiatives, participating in the first round of talks on a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with China and South Korea in March, the beginning of serious bilateral talks on a Japan-EU economic partnership agreement in April, and inaugural negotiations on the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in May. Signing on to these agreements will have positive growth effects on the Japanese economy both by increasing trade volume and foreign direct investment to Japan, and by improving the production and investment environment for Japanese manufacturers production networks in East Asia. Japan recognizes that it is at the center of economicpartnership negotiations involving Asia, Europe, and the Pacific Rim, and is therefore in a position where it can work on all of them simultaneously. By conducting negotiations on different trade agreements in parallel, 2 Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during His Visit to the United States of America, Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet, February 22, 2013, Japan s trade strategy is potentially facilitated by being able to leverage gains in one agreement to facilitate the same gains in another. In particular, the Abe administration sees the TPP as a pace-setter for the RCEP, hoping Abe accepts that the key to to leverage gains from the TPP his administration s success as a high-level and continuing public agreement to popularity is maintaining achieve abolition of restrictions strong prospects for on investment economic growth. a n d t a r i f f s on industrial exports to RCEP countries. Gains can be either offensive, securing increased access to particular markets in other countries, or defensive, maintaining particular restrictions in Japan s own markets. This idea is captured in the rhetoric of protecting what we need to protect and taking the offensive where we should take the offensive, which the Abe administration has inserted into its manifesto for the upcoming Upper House election in order to reassure vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, in advance of trade negotiations. However, Japan s trade posture has traditionally been strongly defensive, and the current pro-active pursuit of FTAs does not automatically signal a new willingness to concede to external pressure for liberalization of domestic markets. Present indications are that Japan s trade negotiating posture at the international level and how it manages the transition to trade liberalization at the domestic level will follow the approach adopted in previous decades, focusing on: 1. Negotiating exceptions to the elimination of protective tariffs 2. Mitigating the impact of trade liberalization 3. Offering specific bilateral concessions to the United States 2
3 Exceptions to Tariff Eliminations: A Hard Line in TPP Negotiations First and foremost, emphasis will be placed on negotiating exceptions to tariff abolition. Japan is showing no signs of softening its long-held, hard-line stance on this point. In fact, demanding exceptions to trade liberalization for sensitive items, particularly agricultural commodities, has been an enduring feature of Japan s negotiating posture throughout the rounds of trade negotiation for the World Trade Organization and before that the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as well as in bilateral and regional trade negotiations to date. The LDP s 2012 election manifesto drove home the point again, and the joint statement coming out of the February summit in Washington nominally endorsed it by implying that tariff exceptions were possible under the TPP and acknowledging bilateral trade sensitivities, such as certain agricultural products for Japan. 3 Achieving this level of understanding from the U.S. side, particularly the recognition of sensitivities in the agricultural sector, was an important precondition for Abe to take the next step and announce Japan s participation in the TPP talks. Abe s successful promotion of the exceptions principle is already having a subtle impact on domestic politics in the lead-up to Japan s entry into the TPP negotiations in July. It has shifted the focus away from fundamental reforms needed to strengthen the international competitiveness of domestic industries, such as agriculture, and on to the exceptions that the government will seek. Public opinion polls show that, 3 Yamada Atsushi, TPP to iu gaikō haiboku: Mamorenakatta nōgyō no seiiki [Diplomatic Defeat in the Form of the TPP: The Sanctuaries in Agriculture That Could Not Be Protected], Diamond Online, April 25, 2013, articles/-/ while there is now a clear majority in favor of Japan participating in the TPP, an even bigger majority wants agricultural products such as rice exempted from trade liberalization. The LDP faction originally organized to oppose Japan s entry into the TPP (the group that demands immediate withdrawal from TPP participation ), which includes more than 60% of LDP Diet members, has changed its description to the group that will protect the national interest in the TPP negotiations, thus shifting the target of its policy concerns to the negotiation of conditions. The LDP has also repeatedly asserted that it will protect exceptions in order to pacify the party s support from organizations opposed to the TPP, such as agricultural cooperatives, while the administration has reassured the farm sector that exceptions will be sought for five key items (rice, wheat, beef, dairy products, and sweetening crops), which Japan has a long history of protecting. First and foremost, emphasis will be placed on negotiating exceptions to tariff abolition. Japan is showing no signs of softening its long-held, hardline stance on this point. The timing of Japan s entry into the TPP talks, just two days after the July 21 election, makes Japan s negotiating posture an important policy focus in the election campaign. The LDP s draft manifesto for the election specifies the five key items as exceptions to tariff abolition, and they are now listed as a top priority in the LDP s J-File, its more detailed policy agenda. The Abe government is particularly mindful of farm votes in single-member rural electorates, which will be the key to securing a majority of seats in the Upper House and, therefore, to the viability of its future legislative and policy programs, including those targeting economic growth and trade. Conversely, if the Abe administration secures its desired majority, the caution mandated in the pre-election period may be replaced by a more protrade position. In that event, it is possible that not all commodities previously treated as exceptions to 3
4 trade liberalization will continue to be so, despite assurances offered by LDP agricultural executives that they are prepared to withdraw from the negotiations if they cannot protect key exceptions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged that the focus is now partly on how long a grace period Japan can secure before it has to abolish tariffs on key items, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has begun to concentrate on the prospect of rebuilding agriculture during this grace period. Because the TPP embraces the principle of abolishing all tariffs within ten years and includes strong agricultural exporting countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, Japan will find it extremely difficult to secure exemptions for all key items. A more flexible and accommodating approach will prevent Japan s negotiating position on agriculture from becoming an obstacle to progress in trade talks, as is historically the case. Mitigating the Impact of Trade Liberalization The second major aspect of Japan s negotiating posture will be side-payments offered to domestic agricultural producers (so-called countermeasures ) in order to mitigate the impact of trade liberalization, thus facilitating Japan s entry into free trade agreements. The Abe government has already promised to expand income subsidies paid directly to farmers and to double farm incomes in the next ten years. However, one calculation shows that if tariffs on the five key items are abolished, the government will need 2 trillion yen ($20 billion) annually just to subsidize rice farmers. The Abe administration may also seek to compensate farmers through conventional pork-barrel measures. Indeed, this strategy has already been liberally used in advance of anticipated trade negotiations, leading to a huge increase in government spending on land improvement. Few other effective measures for strengthening Japan s agricultural industry in preparation for increased international competition have been taken or are proposed. Abe s recently announced agricultural strategy avoided any painful reforms and focused on measures providing more financial assistance to the sector. These were designed to deliver a political message to farmers and lower the domestic political costs of the decision to join the TPP negotiations. The question for the farmers and agricultural cooperatives is whether they will believe the government s claims that agriculture will not be sacrificed in order to reach agreements in international trade negotiations and thus risk being betrayed again after the Upper House election. Once Japan joins the TPP negotiations and faces market-opening demands from other participating countries, particularly the United States, it is possible that the imperative not to be excluded from the final agreement will override domestic political concerns, just as it did in the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture in On the other hand, Minister Hayashi has publicly asserted the importance of Japan carefully going through each stage of the negotiations and not buckling no matter what the other participants say, based on our strong negotiating power. 4 He also advocates using the U.S. desire for Japan to join the TPP as a bargaining chip. The bilateral focus on automobiles and insurance will continue, but tough negotiations can be expected in areas where the LDP has adopted a strongly defensive stance. The final outcome may, therefore, depend on the willingness of other countries in the TPP negotiations to negotiate trade-offs with Japan or allow the Abe government some wriggle room on sensitive items in order to bring Japan on board the final agreement. 4 Hayashi Yoshimasa, Nōrin suisan daijin, TPP o kataru Seme no nōrin suisangyō no tenkai ni mukete [MAFF minister talks about the TPP in working toward developing agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries on the offensive ], Chūō Kōron, 128, no. 5 (2013): 79. 4
5 Offering Bilateral Concessions to the United States Institutional Innovations to Facilitate Negotiations Thirdly, Japan s TPP negotiating strategy, as in so many previous trade negotiations, will be geared toward offering specific bilateral concessions to the United States. This is already apparent from the concessions agreed to in the prior bilateral consultations in , where Japan almost totally capitulated to the American side, and more concessions can be anticipated in the parallel negotiations between Japan and the United States that will take place alongside the full TPP negotiations. Japan has, for example, agreed to continue bilateral talks on automobiles and non-tariff barriers simultaneously with TPP talks. This means that, for Japan, the TPP negotiations will also take on aspects of negotiations for a Japan- U.S. FTA. The bilateral focus on automobiles and insurance where Japan has already made concessions in the prior consultations will continue, but tough negotiations can be expected in areas where the LDP has adopted a strongly defensive stance. These areas include exceptions for the five key agricultural items, not accepting numerical targets for manufactured products, protecting the universal healthcare system and food safety standards, not agreeing to an investorstate dispute settlement clause, and maintaining government procurement and financial services in line with Japan s unique characteristics all sacred cows from a U.S. perspective. For the Japanese government to honor its domestic political commitments and not give ground in these areas, substantial concessions in other sectors and markets would be necessary. It is likely that Japan will sacrifice offensive for defensive interests, just as it sacrificed the interests of the auto industry to protect agriculture in the prior negotiations. It is also possible that, in the multilateral TPP negotiating context, Japan will form strategic alliances with other negotiating partners to block some U.S. demands. Perhaps the biggest break with past methodologies for dealing with international trade negotiations is the Abe government s creation of a special institutional infrastructure to present a unified government trade position. A governmental headquarters for the TPP has been established, headed by the minister of state for economic revitalisation, Akira Amari, in order to facilitate the presentation of such a view. Beginning with 65 members and possibly expanding to 100, the headquarters will be in charge of international-level negotiations and domestic-level coordination between affected industries and the ruling party. Although some members of the negotiating trade position. team have been appointed from the ministries concerned, as in previous negotiations, Amari will require them to set aside their own ministry s interests in order to act as a unified team. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Koji Tsuruoka, who is experienced in trade negotiations, will head up the negotiating team while Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Toyonari Sasaki will be in charge of domestic coordination. Perhaps the biggest break with [the] past... is the Abe government s creation of a special institutional infrastructure to present a unified government These institutional innovations are designed to support Japan s entry into the TPP and short-circuit the bureaucratic sectionalism and direct intervention by party organs that have stymied the government s tradeliberalization strategies in the past. They also provide greater autonomy from special interest pressures for the government and its trade negotiators. These new arrangements are unprecedented and underscore the extent to which the Abe administration understands that only by changing the institutional structure of trade policymaking can new policy outcomes be delivered that defeat entrenched interests. 5
6 The Way Forward? Japan now has in place a government that is committed to the pursuit of FTAs, including the TPP, as one of the pillars of its economic revival. However, this will not automatically translate into smooth trade negotiations, given domestic political obstacles and the policy protections to which the LDP has committed itself. While the Japanese government will make every attempt to construct a unified trade position, domestic-level negotiations will be problematic. This will translate into a strongly defensive position at the international level, despite the prospect of some U.Sspecific concessions. The views expressed are those of the author. The National Bureau of Asian Research would like to thank the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission for their generous support that allows this commentary to be possible. the national bureau of asian research 1414 ne 42nd street, suite 300 seattle, wa pennsylvania avenue nw, suite 300 washington, d.c
State and Prospects of the FTAs of Japan and the Asia-Pacific Region. February 2013 Kazumasa KUSAKA
State and Prospects of the FTAs of Japan and the Asia-Pacific Region February 2013 Kazumasa KUSAKA 1 Development of Japan s EPA/FTA Networks Took Effect/Signed 12 countries and 1 region Study/discussion
More informationNew Development and Challenges in Asia-Pacific Economic Integration: Perspectives of Major Economies. Dr. Hank Lim
New Development and Challenges in Asia-Pacific Economic Integration: Perspectives of Major Economies Dr. Hank Lim Outline: New Development in Asia-Pacific Economic Integration Trans Pacific Partnership
More informationThe Political Economy of Japanese Trade Policy : The Trans-Pacific Partnership Reconsidered
The Political Economy of Japanese Trade Policy : The Trans-Pacific Partnership Reconsidered Jemma Kim Associate Professor Global Japanese Studies Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan jmkim@meiji.ac.jp Paper
More informationShould Canada Support Taiwan s Entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership?
Should Canada Support Taiwan s Entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership? Abstract: Hugh Stephens and Douglas Goold examine Taiwan s expressed desire to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations,
More informationProspects and Challenges for the Doha Round
Prospects and Challenges for the Doha Round Geza Feketekuty The Doha Round negotiations will continue for at least three more years. Not only is there a great deal more work to be done, but also the United
More informationAgriTalk. December 16, 2014 Mike Adams Hosts a Panel Discussion on Agricultural Trade Issues
AgriTalk December 16, 2014 Mike Adams Hosts a Panel Discussion on Agricultural Trade Issues Note: This is an unofficial transcript of an AgriTalk discussion. Keith Good FarmPolicy.com, Inc. Champaign,
More informationJapan s Economic Recovery and the TPP. Shujiro Urata, Waseda University
Draft Japan s Economic Recovery and the TPP Shujiro Urata, Waseda University I. Introduction The Japanese government joined the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations in July 2013. It took the Japanese
More informationEU Trade Policy and IPRs Generally, all EU external economic policies including trade policies are first drafted and considered by the European Commis
17 FTA policy- Making in the EU and its Effects : Policies on Geographic Indicators and Medicines/Medical Equipment (*) Overseas Researcher: Momoko NISHIMURA (**) Recently, the European Union has shifted
More informationTrans-Pacific Trade and Investment Relations Region Is Key Driver of Global Economic Growth
Trans-Pacific Trade and Investment Relations Region Is Key Driver of Global Economic Growth Background The Asia-Pacific region is a key driver of global economic growth, representing nearly half of the
More informationCOMMENTARY. The EU and Japan: The Revival of a Partnership
COMMENTARY The EU and Japan: The Revival of a Partnership *This Commentary is written by José Alves. Rue de la Science 14, 1040 Brussels office@vocaleurope.eu + 32 02 588 00 14 Vocal Europe Rue De la Science
More informationJapan Joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership: What Are the Implications?
Japan Joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership: What Are the Implications? William H. Cooper Specialist in International Trade and Finance Mark E. Manyin Specialist in Asian Affairs August 13, 2013 CRS Report
More informationThe Impact of Farmers Resistance to Trade Liberalization: A Comparative Study on Political Process around FTAs in Korea and Japan
The Impact of Farmers Resistance to Trade Liberalization: A Comparative Study on Political Process around FTAs in Korea and Japan Akio Nawakura, Meiji University, Japan Abstract This study asks why South
More informationEconomic Relations between Mexico and Japan in the Asia-Pacific Era. June 11, 2015 Hiroyuki Ishige Chairman and CEO
1 Economic Relations between Mexico and Japan in the Asia-Pacific Era June 11, 2015 Hiroyuki Ishige Chairman and CEO MPEA (Mexican Pork Exporters Association) 2 By courtesy of Mexican Pork Exporters Association
More informationNew Year, New President, New Trade Agenda? John Murphy U.S. Chamber of Commerce
New Year, New President, New Trade Agenda? John Murphy U.S. Chamber of Commerce Who Said It? 2 We are absolutely going to keep trading. I am not an isolationist I want free trade, but it s got to be fair
More informationINTRODUCTION The ASEAN Economic Community and Beyond
1 INTRODUCTION The ASEAN Economic Community and Beyond The ten countries of Southeast Asia Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are achieving
More informationJapan s Possible Entry Into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Its Implications
Japan s Possible Entry Into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Its Implications William H. Cooper Specialist in International Trade and Finance Mark E. Manyin Specialist in Asian Affairs April 12, 2013
More informationWhile the United States remains predominant in taking on global responsibilities, challenges
STRENGTHENING THE U.S.-INDIA RELATIONSHIP BY RICHARD J. ELLINGS PRESIDENT, THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ASIAN RESEARCH While the United States remains predominant in taking on global responsibilities, challenges
More informationConclusion. Simon S.C. Tay and Julia Puspadewi Tijaja
Conclusion Simon S.C. Tay and Julia Puspadewi Tijaja This publication has surveyed a number of key global megatrends to review them in the context of ASEAN, particularly the ASEAN Economic Community. From
More informationIs TPP a Logical Consequence of Failing APEC FTAAP? An Assessment from the US Point of View
Is TPP a Logical Consequence of Failing APEC FTAAP? An Assessment from the US Point of View By Rully Prassetya (51-128233) Introduction There are growing number of regional economic integration architecture
More informationBuilding an ASEAN Economic Community in the heart of East Asia By Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN,
Building an ASEAN Economic Community in the heart of East Asia By Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen 1. We are witnessing today how assisted by unprecedented
More informationJASWDC and Carnegie Endowment Host Japan in 2017 By David Song
JASWDC and Carnegie Endowment Host Japan in 2017 By David Song WASHINGTON Japanese and American experts addressed the critical domestic and international issues that Japan faces in 2017 at a symposium
More informationGlobal and Regional Economic Cooperation: China s Approach (Zou Mingrong)
Global and Regional Economic Cooperation: China s Approach (Zou Mingrong) Thank you, Jusuf (Co-Chair), for giving me the floor. I shall use the slot to cover briefly my interpretation on regional cooperation
More informationMizuho Economic Outlook & Analysis
Mizuho Economic Outlook & Analysis The 18th Questionnaire Survey of Japanese Corporate Enterprises Regarding Business in Asia (February 18) - Japanese Firms Reevaluate China as a Destination for Business
More informationDr. Biswajit Dhar Professor Centre for Economic Studies and Planning Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi
Dr. Biswajit Dhar Professor Centre for Economic Studies and Planning Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi Email: bisjit@gmail.con The Global Trading Regime Complex combination of bilateral, regional and
More informationCountry Studies. please note: For permission to reprint this chapter,
Edited by Ashley J. Tellis and Michael Wills Country Studies Japan s Long Transition: The Politics of Recalibrating Grand Strategy Mike M. Mochizuki please note: For permission to reprint this chapter,
More informationChapter 9. The Political Economy of Trade Policy. Slides prepared by Thomas Bishop
Chapter 9 The Political Economy of Trade Policy Slides prepared by Thomas Bishop Preview International negotiations of trade policy and the World Trade Organization Copyright 2006 Pearson Addison-Wesley.
More informationREPORTERS' MEMO. Make or Break: Obama Officials Start Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Talks Today - First Obama Trade Deal?
March 15, 2010 Contact: Bryan Buchanan, 202-454-5108 REPORTERS' MEMO Make or Break: Obama Officials Start Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Talks Today - First Obama Trade Deal? Pressure is on for Administration's
More informationBriefing Memo. Yusuke Ishihara, Fellow, 3rd Research Office, Research Department. Introduction
Briefing Memo The Obama Administration s Asian Policy US Participation in the East Asia Summit and Japan (an English translation of the original manuscript written in Japanese) Yusuke Ishihara, Fellow,
More informationTrump & Washington: Dysfunction continues Jim Wiesemeyer Washington Policy Analyst, Pro Farmer
Trump & Washington: Dysfunction continues Jim Wiesemeyer Washington Policy Analyst, Pro Farmer wiesemeyer@gmail.com 2018 May Make 2017 Look Tame: Politics Perspectives People Policy Politics Shutdown 24/7
More informationTRADE&PROSPERITY KEY POINTS. Alan Oxley: Trudeau got captured by the anti-trade brigade. Canada stall on trade pact: what happened to TPP
Australia and Australian business. for more info. KEY POINTS Alan Oxley: Trudeau got captured by the anti-trade brigade Canada stall on trade pact: what happened to TPP Making sense of APEC and US trade
More informationTHE RISE AND FALL OF THE MEGA-REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS TIM JOSLING, FREEMAN SPOGLI INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, STANFORD UNIVERSITY
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MEGA-REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS TIM JOSLING, FREEMAN SPOGLI INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, STANFORD UNIVERSITY 2 CONTEXT Little more than one year ago it appeared that a handful
More informationRegional Trends in the Indo- Pacific: Towards Connectivity or Competition?
Regional Trends in the Indo- Pacific: Towards Connectivity or Competition? With China s celebration of the fifth anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
More informationEconomics of the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP)
Economics of the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP) AED/IS 4540 International Commerce and the World Economy Professor Sheldon sheldon.1@osu.edu What is TPP? Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP), signed
More informationAnthony Saich The US Administration's Asia Policy
Anthony Saich The US Administration's Asia Policy (Summary) Date: 15 November, 2016 Venue: CIGS Meeting Room, Tokyo, Japan 1 Anthony Saich, Distinguished Visiting Scholar, CIGS; Professor of International
More informationStrategic Culture, National Strategy, and Policymaking in the Asia-Pacific
p o l i c y q & a Strategic Culture, National Strategy, and Policymaking in the Asia-Pacific AN INTERVIEW WITH ASHLEY J. TELLIS By MIKE DYER Published: October 27, 2016 This year s edition of Strategic
More informationYouen Kim Professor Graduate School of International Studies Hanyang University
Youen Kim Professor Graduate School of International Studies Hanyang University 1. What is Regional Integration? 2. The Process of East Asian Regional Integration and the Current Situation 3. Main Issues
More informationU.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Asia U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as
More informationTrump & Washington: High anxiety, low expectations Jim Wiesemeyer Washington Policy Analyst, Pro Farmer
Trump & Washington: High anxiety, low expectations Jim Wiesemeyer Washington Policy Analyst, Pro Farmer wiesemeyer@gmail.com Dysfunction in Washington GOP surprised by victory, not ready to govern Example:
More informationIndia and APEC: Charting a Path to Membership
By Anubhav Gupta July 20, 2015 India and APEC: Charting a Path to Membership Anubhav Gupta is a Senior Program Officer at the Asia Society Policy Institute, based in New York City. SUMMARY India s membership
More informationAustralia s New Foreign Policy White Paper: A View from Japan
Australia s New Foreign Policy White Paper: A View from Japan Tomohiko Satake 35 What Makes this White Paper Important at this Particular Time? In November 2017, the Australian Government released a new
More informationJapan s Policy to Strengthen Economic Partnership. November 2003
Japan s Policy to Strengthen Economic Partnership November 2003 1. Basic Structure of Japan s External Economic Policy -Promoting Economic Partnership Agreements with closely related countries and regions
More informationTrump & Washington: Trump, GOP agenda moving
Trump & Washington: Trump, GOP agenda moving Jim Wiesemeyer Washington Policy Analyst, Pro Farmer wiesemeyer@gmail.com 2018 May Make 2017 Look Tame: Politics Perspectives People Policy Politics House and
More informationThe Impact of Farmers' Resistance to Trade Liberalization: A Comparative Study on Political Process around FTAs in Korea and Japan
The Impact of Farmers' Resistance to Trade Liberalization: A Comparative Study on Political Process around FTAs in Korea and Japan Akio Nawakura, Meiji University, Japan The Asian Conference on Politics,
More informationⅠ Strategic Partnership for Shared Principles and Goals
Japan-Philippines Joint Declaration A Strengthened Strategic Partnership for Advancing the Shared Principles and Goals of Peace, Security, and Growth in the Region and Beyond 1. On the invitation of the
More informationJapan Looks to Trans-Pacific Partnership to Transform its Economy
Japan Looks to Trans-Pacific Partnership to Transform its Economy February 2011 Since passage of its Action Plan for Economic Structural Reform in 1997, Japan has initiated a number of reform initiatives
More informationHearing on the U.S. Rebalance to Asia
March 30, 2016 Prepared statement by Sheila A. Smith Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hearing on the U.S. Rebalance
More informationPresentation on TPP & TTIP Background and Implications. by Dr V.S. SESHADRI at Centre for WTO Studies New Delhi 3 March 2014
Presentation on TPP & TTIP Background and Implications by Dr V.S. SESHADRI at Centre for WTO Studies New Delhi 3 March 2014 Contents of Presentation 1. What is TPP? 2. What is TTIP? 3. How are these initiatives
More informationU.S. RELATIONS WITH THE KOREAN PENINSULA: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATION
U.S. RELATIONS WITH THE KOREAN PENINSULA 219 U.S. RELATIONS WITH THE KOREAN PENINSULA: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATION Scott Snyder Issue: In the absence of a dramatic breakthrough in the Six-Party
More informationThe EU's pivot to Asia
The EU's pivot to Asia Fraser Cameron considers the unforeseen consequences of global uncertainty, and how the EU has seized the opportunity in deepening EU-Asia relations One of the unforeseen consequences
More informationJapan s Possible Entry Into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Its Implications
Japan s Possible Entry Into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Its Implications William H. Cooper Specialist in International Trade and Finance Mark E. Manyin Specialist in Asian Affairs May 16, 2013 CRS
More informationTrade led Growth in Times of Crisis Asia Pacific Trade Economists Conference 2 3 November 2009, Bangkok. Session 2
Trade led Growth in Times of Crisis Asia Pacific Trade Economists Conference 2 3 November 2009, Bangkok Session 2 From the P4 to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP): Explaining Expansion Interests
More informationNAFTA RENEGOTIATIONS: A LONG WAY TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS
NAFTA RENEGOTIATIONS: A LONG WAY TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS Ryohei Yamada North America & Latin America Dept. Mitsui & Co. Global Strategic Studies Institute THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF RENEGOTIATION On August
More informationAsian Regionalism as a Product of Power Dynamics
Policy Forum Asian Regionalism as a Product of Power Dynamics An Interview with Michael Green In the last several decades, Asia-Pacific nations have turned to multilateralism and the formation of regional
More informationCRS Report for Congress
CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS20683 Updated April 14, 2005 Taiwan s Accession to the WTO and Its Economic Relations with the United States and China Summary Wayne M.
More informationpolicy q&a Both governments must draw on the private sector s expertise. September 2011
policy q&a September 2011 Produced by The National Bureau of Asian Research for the Senate India Caucus deepening u.s.-india economic engagement Trade between the United States and India reached $48 billion
More informationJapan s participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Japan s participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) A Proposal by the Economists for Peace and Security (EPS) 1 Economists for Peace and Security (EPS) We, the Economists for Peace
More informationCRS Report for Congress
Order Code RS20683 Updated November 4, 2005 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Taiwan s Accession to the WTO and Its Economic Relations with the United States and China Summary Wayne
More informationGrowth, Investment and Trade Challenges: India and Japan
Growth, Investment and Trade Challenges: India and Japan October 31, 2017 Shujiro URATA Waseda University Outline 1. Economic Growth: Japan and India 2. Foreign Trade and Investment 3. India Japan EPA
More informationCambridge Model United Nations 2018 WTO: The Question of Free Trade Agreements in a Changing World
1 Study Guide: The Question of Free Trade Agreements in a Changing World Committee: World Trade Organisation Topic: The Question of Free Trade Agreements in a Changing World Introduction: The WTO aims
More informationThe History & Significance of Japan s Trade & Industrial Policy a Case Study of Trade Friction at the End of the 20th Century
E C O N O M I C H I S T O R Y The History & Significance of Japan s Trade & Industrial Policy a Case Study of Trade Friction at the End of the 20th Century By Takeshi Abe Author Takeshi Abe With the administration
More informationSHANKER SINGHAM, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMPETITION, IEA
PLAN A+: CREATING A PROSPEROUS POST-BREXIT UK SHANKER SINGHAM, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND COMPETITION, IEA EMBARGOED UNTIL 11:00 am SEPT 24, 2018 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY In the UK we tend to see
More informationCopyrighted material List of Illustrations. Preface and Acknowledgements. Notes on Contributors. List of Abbreviations
Contents List of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors List of Abbreviations vi viii ix xi 1 Understanding Japanese Trade Policy: A Political Economy Perspective 1 Aurelia George
More information1992: PECC IX, San Francisco Declaration
1992: PECC IX, San Francisco Declaration -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Open Regionalism: A Pacific Model for Global Economic Cooperation The undersigned
More informationfor developing countries
Asia Pacific School of Economics and Management WORKING PAPERS world trade organization I ssues for developing countries Ron Duncan 03-1 Asia Pacific Press at the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY http://apsem.anu.edu.au
More informationThe Trans-Pacific Partnership: A Chinese Perspective. Professor Cai Penghong, Director of APEC Research Center, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
The Trans-Pacific Partnership: A Chinese Perspective Professor Cai Penghong, Director of APEC Research Center, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences 1 1, TPP was accepted by APEC leaders last year to be
More informationVIETNAM'S FTA AND IMPLICATION OF PARTICIPATING IN THE TPP
VIETNAM'S FTA AND IMPLICATION OF PARTICIPATING IN THE TPP Nguyen Huy Hoang, PhD Institute for Southeast Asian Studies Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Taipei, October 31 st, 2013 AGENDA VIETNAM INTEGRATION
More informationTrump & Washington: Can Dysfunctional Washington Function? Mr. Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer/Farm Journal. Global Meat Trade: The Value Opportunity
Keynote Session 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Trump & Washington: Can Dysfunctional Washington Function? Mr. Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer/Farm Journal Global Meat Trade: The Value Opportunity Mr. John Hinners, US
More informationTRADE POLICY REVIEW OF JAPAN DAY 1 STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR IHARA. Madam Chair, Fellow Ambassadors, and distinguished representatives,
TRADE POLICY REVIEW OF JAPAN DAY 1 STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR IHARA Madam Chair, Fellow Ambassadors, and distinguished representatives, Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to Ms. Irene Young,
More informationTHE NEXT CHAPTER IN US-ASIAN RELATIONS: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PACIFIC
THE NEXT CHAPTER IN US-ASIAN RELATIONS: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PACIFIC Interview with Michael H. Fuchs Michael H. Fuchs is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and a senior policy advisor
More informationArndt-Corden Department of Economics Public Lecture. Australian National University, Canberra, 23 May 2017
Arndt-Corden Department of Economics Public Lecture Australian National University, Canberra, 23 May 2017 WHAT CAN ASEAN DO IN THE MIDST OF THE 'NEW NORMAL'? 1 Professor Chatib Basri Thee Kian Wie Distinguished
More informationTenth Japan-Singapore Symposium Keynote Speech by Mr Minoru Kiuchi State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
Tenth Japan-Singapore Symposium Keynote Speech by Mr Minoru Kiuchi State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Senior Minister Josephine Teo, Professor Tommy Koh, Ambassador Yoshiji Nogami, Distinguished
More informationIIPS International Conference
助成 Institute for International Policy Studies Tokyo IIPS International Conference Building a Regime of Regional Cooperation in East Asia and the Role which Japan Can Play Tokyo December 2-3, 2003 Potential
More informationCOMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 13.9.2017 COM(2017) 492 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE
More informationJAPAN-CHINA PEACE TREATY (1978):
Chapter 7 THE CONCLUSION OF THE JAPAN-CHINA PEACE TREATY (1978): SOVIET COERCWE POLICY AND ITS LIMITS 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONCLUSION OF THE TREATY FOR THE SOVIET UNION On August 12, 1978, after six
More informationExecutive Summary. Chapter 1: Regional integration in ASEAN, with a focus on progress toward an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
Executive Summary Chapter 1: Regional integration in ASEAN, with a focus on progress toward an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) ASEAN has been pursuing economic cooperation since 1976 in the midst of structural
More informationCHAPTER 9 The United States and the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities
CHAPTER 9 The United States and the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities Satu P. Limaye Introduction It is important to note at the outset of this brief presentation on the key security challenges
More informationNATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL, INC.
NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL, INC. 1625 K STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20006-1604 TEL: (202) 887-0278 FAX: (202) 452-8160 November 18, 2008 The Honorable Barack Obama 233 N. Michigan Avenue, #1720 Chicago,
More informationSingapore 23 July 2012.
RESEARCHERS AT SINGAPORE S INSTITUTE OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES SHARE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT EVENTS Singapore 23 July 2012. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Economic and Strategic Implications
More informationASIA REPORT ISSUE NO. 30 MAY Winners or Losers in the TPP? Taiwan, Its Neighbors, and the United States
Winners or Losers in the TPP? Taiwan, Its Neighbors, and the United States The Obama Administration has renewed its efforts to get the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) through Congress over the past year.
More informationAt the Crossroads: The TPP, AIIB, and Japan s Foreign Economic Strategy
At the Crossroads: The TPP, AIIB, and Japan s Foreign Economic Strategy SAORI N. KATADA I S S U E S No. 125 May 2016 The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and
More informationASEAN: An Economic Pillar of Asia
European Commission Speech [Check against delivery] ASEAN: An Economic Pillar of Asia Singapore, 2 March 2018 Speech by European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström ASEAN Business Conference Ladies
More informationThe World Trade Organization and the future of multilateralism Note Key principles behind GATT general principle rules based not results based
The World Trade Organization and the future of multilateralism By Richard Baldwin, Journal of Economic perspectives, Winter 2016 The GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) was established in unusual
More informationTalking ASEAN. U.S. Rebalancing to Asia and Chinese New Leadership: Challenges for ASEAN Centrality and its Implications on Neighboring Countries
Talking ASEAN U.S. Rebalancing to Asia and Chinese New Leadership: Challenges for ASEAN Centrality and its Implications on Neighboring Countries Presentation and Discussion Report Tuesday, 17 September
More informationThe Asian Leadership Conference Seoul21-22 February 2008, Dynasty Hall, The Shilla Hotel, Seoul. Session 6: Japan: A New Role in Asia
The Asian Leadership Conference 2008 Seoul21-22 February 2008, Dynasty Hall, The Shilla Hotel, Seoul Session 6: Japan: A New Role in Asia A Geriatric Peace:Democracy and Demography in the 21 st Century
More informationMeiji Institute for Global Affairs MIGA COLUMN GLOBAL DIAGNOSIS
Meiji Institute for Global Affairs MIGA COLUMN GLOBAL DIAGNOSIS May 10, 2013 Naoaki Okabe Fellow, Meiji Institute for Global Affairs Short Curriculum Vitae) Naoaki Okabe Graduated from the School of Political
More informationAustralia-Japan-U.S. Maritime Cooperation
APRIL 2016 Australia-Japan-U.S. Maritime Cooperation Creating Federated Capabilities for the Asia Pacific author Andrew Shearer A Report of the CSIS ASIA PROGRAM Blank Chinese
More informationEvidence submitted by Dr Federica Bicchi, Dr Nicola Chelotti, Professor Karen E Smith, Dr Stephen Woolcock
1 Submission of evidence for inquiry on the costs and benefits of EU membership for the UK s role in the world, for the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Evidence submitted by Dr Federica Bicchi,
More informationEconomic Diplomacy in South Asia
Address to the Indian Economy & Business Update, 18 August 2005 Economic Diplomacy in South Asia by Harun ur Rashid * My brief presentation has three parts, namely: (i) (ii) (iii) Economic diplomacy and
More informationNAFTA: Capitalizing on Natural Advantages
NAFTA: Capitalizing on Natural Advantages Analysis September 18, 2016 13:15 GMT Print Text Size (Stratfor) Summary Editor's Note: This is the final installment of a seven-part series examining how the
More informationCall to Rebuild the WTO Multilateral Free Trade and Investment System (Provisional translation)
Call to Rebuild the WTO Multilateral Free Trade and Investment System (Provisional translation) May 19, 2015 Keidanren Contents I. A Trade Strategy for Japan... 2 II. The Multilateral Free Trade and Investment
More informationAction Plan for Strengthening of the Strategic Partnership (Annex of the Joint Declaration)
Action Plan for Strengthening of the Strategic Partnership (Annex of the Joint Declaration) 1 Joint Contribution to Secure Regional Peace and Stability (1)Areas of Security Cooperation Both governments
More informationJapan s Contribution to Fostering Multilateralism in Asia
Japan s Contribution to Fostering Multilateralism in Asia Mie Oba 1. Introduction There are many overlapping regional institutions in Asia. Japan has played a very important role in the development of
More informationWORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE Fourth Session Doha, 9-13 November 2001 WT/MIN(01)/ST/110 12 November 2001 (01-5714) Original: English REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS Statement by H.E. Mr
More informationThe East Asian Community Initiative
The East Asian Community Initiative and APEC Japan 2010 February 2, 2010 Tetsuro Fukunaga Director, APEC Office, METI JAPAN Change and Action The Initiative for an East Asian Community Promote concrete
More informationWhat has changed about the global economic structure
The A European insider surveys the scene. State of Globalization B Y J ÜRGEN S TARK THE MAGAZINE OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POLICY 888 16th Street, N.W. Suite 740 Washington, D.C. 20006 Phone: 202-861-0791
More informationMIZUHO RESEARCH PAPER
MIZUHO RESEARCH PAPER 24 Japan s Trade Policy at the Crossroads: the Hatoyama Administration s Agenda Junichi Sugawara Senior Research Officer Junichi Sugawara currently holds the position of senior research
More informationp o l i c y q & a An Australian Perspective on U.S. Rebalancing toward Asia
p o l i c y q & a AN INTERVIEW WITH RORY MEDCALF An Australian Perspective on U.S. Rebalancing toward Asia By SAR AH SER IZAWA Published: April 30, 2012 Earlier this month, U.S. Marines arrived in Australia
More informationAmerica Attempting to Find its Way in Asia: Moving Towards the Obama Doctrine. Shahid Javed Burki 1
ISA S Brief No. 208 28 July 2011 469A Bukit Timah Road #07-01, Tower Block, Singapore 259770 Tel: 6516 6179 / 6516 4239 Fax: 6776 7505 / 6314 5447 Email: isassec@nus.edu.sg Website: www.isas.nus.edu.sg
More informationThe Trans Pacific Partnership and Australian Grains
The Trans Pacific Partnership and Australian Grains December 2015 By being in the TPP, Australian grain exports will gain greater, and more liberal, access to Japan. If Australia is not in the TPP, Canada
More informationVideo Transcript for Overview of Japanese Politics Online at
Video Transcript for Overview of Japanese Politics Online at https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/multimedia/overview-japanese-politics Phillip Y. Lipscy Assistant Professor, Political Science, Stanford University;
More information