Transnational Corporations in Transregional Initiatives: Goals and Problems of Participatio

Abstract

The activities of transnational business have already become an integral part of the global political and economic development, affecting integration processes in the world. However, the dichotomy of relations between a state and TNC in the context of trans-regional development is not fully understood. The article analyzes the consequences of quantitative and qualitative strengthening of TNC in the world political processes on the example of four major trans-regional projects - the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Trans-Pacific Trade and Investment Partnership, European Union and MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement, the Belt and Road Initiative. The authors define the tools promoting each project, which reflect the nature of interaction between states and TNC at the trans-regional level. In addition, the study highlights various objectives of TNC participation in a particular trans-regional association, as well as appropriate resources for the implementation of their interests, which can generally be divided into economic, political and image. To answer the question on how states and transnational business interdepend not only in trans-regional processes but also in the world economy, the authors, based on the practice of modern world politics, construct models of the relationship between states and business and come to the conclusion that the type of interaction these actors use largely depends on states internal political system, as well as their foreign policy goals. Nevertheless, despite the increasing role of TNC as an influential actor in world politics, at the moment it is premature to declare that they are completely independent from states.