Regional Economic Integration in the Asia Pacific Region: Is an FTAPP the Catalyst for One Community?

Abstract

In order to argue that the proposed FTAAP is the second-best policy option for APEC member economies and the world economy com-pared to the stalled first-best multilateral liberalization effort like the DDA (Doha Development Agenda), we examine existing arguments for and against the proposed FTAAP. From our examinations, we find that the FTAAP is a sustainable RTA (Regional Trade Agreement) and will work as a stepping stone towards global free trade. In addition, the FTAAP will be a more desirable RTA if it is cooperated with the APEC’s principle of open regionalism or/and evolves to a customs union of the region. However, unlike traditional FTAs, the FTAAP has some APEC-specific impediments to its establishment of a regional trade bloc at present. Some policy recommendations would be proposed to overcome the obstacles.