Partnership Agreement Research Articles

Communicating the authentic China: partnership agreements and the use of Chinese sources and voices by Brazilian media

This paper explores China’s public diplomacy in Brazil by focusing on the use of media partnership agreements that allow Beijing to gain greater agency in shaping the country’s image in the region. We examine the partnership between China Central Television and Brazil’s BandNews TV and the co-production of Mundo China, a short news segment solely focused on stories about China. By conducting quantitative content analyses, we assess the ways in which Chinese sources and voices are used on BandNews TV to communicate the authentic China to Brazilian audiences, and we seek to identify any possible correlation with the tone with which China is presented. The results show that Chinese sources and voices are a prominent feature on BandNews TV, and their use is accompanied by a more positive tone than in the way China is depicted on other channels. Additionally, the use of Chinese correspondents signals a partnership that exceeds the co-production of Mundo China. Finally, the data reveal that Chinese media engagement with other broadcasters is also bearing fruit.

Operations Outside the Scope of Value Added Tax: A Possible Analysis of the Portuguese Wine Sector

Objective: The study aims to analyse and clarify the VAT framework in participation association contracts, distinguishing between contractual and tax obligations. Method: It includes a case study and a detailed analysis of partnership contracts, case law, and tax doctrine. The data was interpreted in light of the relevant tax laws, distinguishing between contractual and tax obligations in order to determine the VAT framework. Results and conclusions: The results show that the liabilities borne by the associate (Entity B) should be considered supplies of services subject to VAT. The contribution of the associate (Entity B) is not subject to tax. These distinctions allow for a correct application of tax law. The conclusions reveal the possible readings of the application of VAT. Implications if the research: Research is important to ensure the correct application of tax law in partnership agreements. This analysis can help promote the correct application of VAT and more efficient financial management for both parties involved. It provides relevant insights for academia, society, and policymakers. Originality/value: It is the result of detailed observation of the VAT framework in association in participation contracts, providing possible insights in order to avoid possible tax uncertainties and ensure the correct reading of the tax law in more complex commercial transactions.

Transition to Polycentrism and the Transformation of Regional Trade Agreements

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) are important instruments of the world trade system, which have been increasingly developed in recent decades, since they complement the existing World Trade Organization (WTO) and WTO+ agreements and allow taking into account the specificities of regions. The principle of ensuring non-discriminatory trade is the main principle of multilateral trade of the WTO, or in other words, observes the rule of not favoring one trading partner over another. RTAs are, in fact, an exception to this approach, as it is the signatories that enjoy more favorable market access conditions. At the same time, the WTO recognizes the legitimate role of RTAs in facilitating trade between their parties, but requires that they not create barriers to trade with third parties. RTAs cover more than half of world trade, and new transcontinental agreements have been concluded in recent years: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. There are different types of RTAs in international cooperation, ranging from free trade agreements to common markets, including between countries of a territorially contiguous or transcontinental nature, based on WTO and WTO+ agreements or protectionist in nature. The article reflects the consequences for the national economies of developing countries, it is revealed that the European Union in the RTAs is actively promoting its values as the absolute truth for all peoples and nations, and their non-acceptance is considered as a factor causing possible restrictions. Other developed economies have also imposed obligations on signatories in terms of ensuring the transformation of the national economies of developing countries, but in recent years this trend has weakened somewhat. China, initiating the RTA, pursues the realization of its national interests, without imposing any political, mental or social aspects, and at the same time is ready to develop mutually acceptable compromises. The transformation of RTАs in modern conditions is carried out in three basic directions: preference for the preservation of full sovereignty by the signatory countries; the inclusion of articles that condition the promotion of sustainable development; control and monitoring to ensure compliance with labor safety regulations, non-damage to the ecological environment, as well as the use of tools of responsible corporate business conduct.

PRESIDENTIAL AGENDA SETTING AND FOREIGN ECONOMIC POLICY: EXPLAINING SOUTH KOREA’S DELAYED APPLICATION TO THE CPTPP

Foreign policies, including trade policies, typically entail significant executive discretion, marked by a top-down decision-making process. This has been evident in South Korea, where the president, as chief diplomat, wields substantial authority in selecting the country’s Free Trade Agreement partners. Given South Korea's efforts to solidify its status as a trade hub and the strategic advantages of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), why has the country not been able to formally apply for membership? What influenced presidents to consistently list the CPTPP as a foreign economic policy objective, yet refrain from participation while actively pursuing other trade initiatives? This article seeks to adopt insights from the agenda-setting literature to comprehend the mechanisms governing presidential agenda priorities in foreign economic policy. Utilising a framework of foreign policy attention, it uncovers factors and processes that influence South Korean presidents’ focus in shaping trade policies. It demonstrates that external policy events drive the president’s attention, but the limited progress of the CPTPP underscores the crucial impact of the president’s priorities and responsiveness to the domestic audience.

The Impact of Participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement and Potential Export Markets for Vietnamese Rice: An Application of Augmented Gravity Model

In this study, we investigate the potential effects of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on Vietnam’s rice exports from 2000 to 2016. For this analysis, we employ the panel data augmented gravity model with some modifications. The estimated results suggest a positive relationship between Vietnam’s per capita export and the capita real gross domestic product (GDP) of the importer, Vietnam’s rice production, export price, and ASEAN dummy. We confirm that there is a negative relationship between Vietnam’s per capita rice export value and import country agricultural land and import tariffs. Additionally, this paper forecasts Vietnam’s rice export value per capita at each market in RCEP partners by using the autoregressive model. Our forecast results show that among RCEP members, Vietnam has potential markets if import tariff reductions are lowered in Singapore, Brunei, Korea, Japan, and Malaysia. To reap the benefits of rice exports’ potential, Vietnam must move from low-grade and cheap rice to high-quality rice production instead of expanding rice production and exports with the following implications: changing its present rice trading partners to potential markets and adopting market-oriented policies to meet the international demand and to increase the export elasticity of rice.

Experimentation at the WTO lab: towards a better ‘Interface’ to accommodate State-owned enterprises

Abstract This article advocates for a more inclusive and adaptable interface mechanism at the World Trade Organization (WTO), specifically tailored to address the nuanced dynamics of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). It revisits the foundational ‘Interface Theory’ by John H. Jackson, a cornerstone in shaping initial WTO rules for non-market economies. Drawing upon the critiques of David Kennedy, this article identifies three key limitations inherent in the existing interface theory. It then delves into a critical examination of the regulations pertaining to SOEs within the frameworks of the Trans-Pacific Partnership / the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, arguing that these models inadequately address the complexity of state participation in the economy, with a particular focus on non-market economies like China. This article suggests leveraging the WTO as a global policy laboratory, a forum for the exploration and discussion of varied national strategies concerning SOE management. It posits China’s mixed-ownership reform as an exemplary starting point for such experimental endeavours.

Is Indonesia Ready to be the Party of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership?

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has been highlighted by Indonesia due to its enhanced rule-based nature. However, the anti-corruption issues and the environmental issues have triggered questions on whether Indonesia is clean or healthy enough to be the party to this agreement. This article aims to understand Indonesia's readiness to be a party to this agreement. It implements the doctrinal method by implementing the related rules of international law related to treaty suspension, anti-corruption, and environmental issues in Indonesia. The implementation of such a method is also supported by the treaty approach, conceptual approach, and case approach. From the first discussion, it can be understood that treaty suspension is a regime constituted under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and the CP-TPP’s Suspension has no specific deadline. The second discussion expresses that since Indonesia has not brought its anti-corruption rules in conformity with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the accession of CP-TPP may bring threats to Indonesia. This threat is caused by the CP-TPP dispute settlement mechanism's competence to settle disputes on anti-corruption issues. Lastly, the third discussion of this article states that the current Indonesian environmental law norms may be perceived as a potential threat to its national interests. Such a threat will arise if the current parties to the CP-TPP eventually decide not to suspend Article 20.17 concerning Conservation and Trade.

Research on the Development Opportunities and Strategies of Guangzhou Cross-Border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone under the RCEP Agreement

This paper provides a thorough analysis of the development opportunities and strategies for the Guangzhou Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone in the context of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. The article begins with a review of the background of the RCEP agreement and its role in promoting economic cooperation, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by an analysis of the current development status, main opportunities, and challenges facing the Guangzhou Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone under the current international circumstances. Through empirical research, the paper proposes a series of strategic recommendations to promote the development of the pilot zone, aiming to provide references for policy-making and regional economic development.

The EU–Japan Partnership in the Post-pandemic Order: What Comes Next?

EU–Japan relations have been treated in the literature as a ‘normal relationship’ between two mature actors with a long history of promises, expectations and indifferences. However, since 2004, the EU has been considering its relations with Japan as a strategic partnership; that is, a powerful relationship that plays an increasingly central role in the international system. Recent changes in the EU and Japanese domestic and international environments show how both parties’ relations have shifted from a period of indifferences and low expectations to a new momentum of cooperation in facing common global challenges such as open trade, climate change, multilateralism or the recent pandemic. The main objective of this article is, first, to suggest a framework of analysis to better calibrate the EU–Japan relationship, and second, to understand recent trends in EU–Japan relations that have enabled the Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force in 2019.

Tariffs and Vietnam’s exports of Mach and Elec products to CPTPP partners

Mach and Elec is a vital sector greatly contributing to Vietnam’s economic growth and the trade liberalization mechanism in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has further enhanced our opportunities to boost exporting these products. Hence, in this paper, we made the first attempt to analyze the impact of tariffs on Vietnam’s export of Mach and Elec products to partners within CPTPP. This study utilized a modified gravity model and simultaneous quantile regression to analyze Vietnam’s export turnover of machinery and electronic products to 10 CPTPP member countries from 2005 to 2020 on different quantiles of the export distribution. The primary variable of interest was the applied tariffs (AHS). The results indicate that the most preferential tariff available still has a significantly detrimental impact on Vietnam’s export turnover. Also, exports of Mach and Elec products to larger markets in CPTPP tend to be more affected by tariffs than smaller ones. Our research findings have important implications for Vietnam enterprises and the government exporting machinery and electronic products to make the most of the preferential tariff under the CPTPP agreement.

Актуальные вопросы квалификации отношений инвестиционного товарищества в нотариальной и судебной практике

This article analyzes the characteristics of an investment partnership agreement as a form of organizing collective investments. The author focuses on the law enforcement practice of this contractual structure, and also especially emphasizes those characteristic features that are unique to this investment instrument.

Does the strength of the US dollar affect the interdependence among currency exchange rates of RCEP and CPTPP countries?

This study investigates the interdependence among currency exchange rates of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) countries using regular vine copula model. We examine the asymmetric impact of the strength of US dollar (USD) on the dynamic dependence between currencies. The findings show that Singapore and Australian dollars play dominant roles in the currency network. The USD strength significantly affects the co-movements between currencies with the strongest correlations; and the influence of USD strength can be amplified during strong-dollar periods. Furthermore, shrinking USD liquidity, which is typically accompanied by a strong dollar cycle, generally increases currency dependence within the RCEP and CPTPP.

Correlations between Local Institutional Capacity and Community Conservation Partnerships in Lore Lindu National Park

The Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) is a policy option for ensuring the sustainability of conservation functions while improving the local community's economy. The critical issue in implementing this policy is local institutional capacity. This study aimed to describe the correlation between local institutional capacity and the performance of community conservation partnerships in LLNP. This study was carried out in 10 villages that had established conservation partnership agreements with LLNP managers. This research adopted a quantitative descriptive method. This study revealed that CCP performance was significantly dependent on local institutional capacity. The CCP programme improved the function of conservation areas, but did not boost the local economy significantly. Trust and financial capacity are the essential organisational and management capacities that strongly correlate with CCP performance. The performance of CCP was more strongly correlated with the organisational and management capacity of the local institution than with individual capacity. The individual capacity of the local institution that strongly correlated with CCP performance was only the technical capacity in forestry. Therefore, strengthening capacity at organizational and management levels, such as building trust, communications, and funding support for local institutions, is crucial for improving and sustaining conservation partnerships.

The Ratification of Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement: Investment Challenges and Opportunities

This article aims to conduct a more in-depth study of Indonesia's challenges and opportunities after the ratification of the 2020 Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, hereinafter referred to as IA-CEPA. IA-CEPA offers opportunities for investment, trade in goods and services, and human resource capacity building for both countries. The Indonesian government needs to accelerate the harmonization of national laws related to the substance of IA-CEPA so that no legal conflicts harm Indonesia's national and economic interests. This research applied normative or doctrinal research methods, collecting legal materials with literature studies, which were then analysed with descriptive analysis techniques to find solutions to the problems raised. The results show that IA-CEPA brings great opportunities for economic growth in both countries. With greater access to each other's markets and cuts in trade tariffs, this agreement can stimulate greater trade and investment. IA-CEPA provides incentives for both countries to diversify their investment sources. This can help reduce dependence on one particular country or region and increase economic resilience.

Macro-determinants of current account balance performance in selected African countries

AbstractMost African countries are open to international trade as shown by their signatories to various trade agreements such as the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). However, these countries face persistent current account deficits and institutional underdevelopment. The existing literature investigates the underlying factors at country-specific levels while ignoring the role of institutions. Meanwhile, African countries are also rapidly transitioning towards economic integration with the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AFCFTA) to deepen intra-Africa trade. Therefore, for unionized policy proposition, this study controls for the effects of institutions and investigates the macro-determinants of the current account balance (CAB) performance using panel data from 2002 to 2020 for 20 African countries. To account for cross-country correlation and country-level heteroscedasticity, the study employed panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE) and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) techniques for the governance indicators-related step-wise estimations. The results show that after controlling for the effects of institutions, income, trade openness, the price level, the interplay between manufacturing and financial sector development, and the money supply are the significant macro-determinants of the CAB performance in Africa. Further, the marginal info-graphics show that the predictive effects of value addition and financial development on the CAB increase positively with good governance and that improved governance could reverse any negative effects of trade openness on the CAB performance. Based on the findings, the study recommends inter alia that African countries pursue value-addition-oriented trade, zero Central Bank budgetary financing, and institutional quality improvement to enhance the performance of their CABs.

Dotacje celowe z budżetu jednostki samorządu terytorialnego na dofinansowanie kosztów inwestycji w ramach umów o partnerstwie publiczno-prywatnym

The article concerns the principles of granting special-purpose subsidies from the budget of a local government unit for co-financing investment costs under public-private partnership agreements. The article discusses, among others, issues of own contribution of a public entity, the method of classification of budgetary expenses, the rules for granting special-purpose subsidies by local government units under public-private partnership agreements, and selected problems related to this form of investment co-financing.

Small State Diplomacy in Action: The Real Origins of TPP

The TPP Agreement – now CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement) – is, by any measure, a central part of the emerging global trade policy framework. To the author's surprise, it survived the decision of the United States to withdraw after USTR Mike Froman had signed the Agreement in Auckland 2015 on behalf of the US. Today, it incorporates 12 economies including leading G20 economies such as Japan, Mexico, Canada, Australia, and the UK, its most recent entrant. Six other economies, including most importantly, China, the world's second largest economy, are now applying for membership. What began between Singapore and New Zealand – a conscious strategic decision on their part to try to incentivize precisely this process of Asia-Pacific regional integration in 1999 – is now clearly a major part of the global geopolitical chessboard.

3D BIOMIMETIC CONSTRUCTS STEER STEM CELL COMMITMENT BY SYNERGISTIC MODULATION OF BIOPHYSICAL CUES AND GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALLING

Tendon diseases are prevalent health concerns for which current therapies present limited success, in part due to the intrinsically low regenerative ability of tendons. Therefore, tissue engineering presents a potential to improve this outcome. Here, we hypothesize that a concurrent control over both biophysical and biochemical stimuli will boost the tenogenic commitment of stem cells, thus promoting regeneration. To achieve this, we combine molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MINPs), which act as artificial amplifiers for endogenous growth factor (GF) activity, with bioinspired anisotropic hydrogels2 to manufacture 3D tenogenic constructs. MINPs were solid phase-imprinted using a TGF-β3 epitope as template and their affinity for the target was assessed by SPR and dot blot. Magnetically-responsive microfibers were produced by cryosectioning electrospun meshes containing iron oxide nanoparticles. The constructs were prepared by encapsulating adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), microfibers, and MINPs within gelatin hydrogels, while aligning the microfibers with an external magnetostatic field during gelation. This allows an effective modulation of hydrogel fibrillar topography, mimicking the native tissue's anisotropic architecture. Cell responses were analyzed by multiplex immunoassay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunocytochemistry. MINPs showed an affinity for the template comparable to monoclonal antibodies. Encapsulated ASCs acquired an elongated shape and predominant orientation along the alignment direction. Cellular studies revealed that combining MINPs with aligned microfibers increased TGF-β signaling via non-canonical Akt/ERK pathways and upregulated tendon-associated gene expression, contrasting with randomly oriented gels. Immunostaining of tendon-related proteins presented analogous outcomes, corroborating our hypothesis.Our results thus demonstrate that microstructural cues and biological signals synergistically direct stem cell fate commitment, suggesting that this strategy holds potential for improving tendon healing and might be adaptable for other biological tissues. The proposed concept highlights the GF-sequestering ability of MINPs which allows a cost-effective alternative to recombinant GF supplementation, potentially decreasing the translational costs of tissue engineering strategies.Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 under grant No. 772817; from FCT/MCTES for scholarships PD/BD/143039/2018 & COVID/BD/153025/2022 (S.P.B.T.), and PD/BD/129403/2017 (S.M.B.), co-financed by POCH and NORTE 2020, under the Portugal 2020 partnership agreement through the European Social Fund, for contract 2020.03410.CEECIND (R.M.A.D.) and project 2022.05526.PTDC; and from Xunta de Galicia for grant ED481B2019/025 (A.P.).

Developing partnerships for academic data science consulting and collaboration units.

Data science consulting and collaboration units (DSUs) are core infrastructure for research at universities. Activities span data management, study design, data analysis, data visualization, predictive modelling, preparing reports, manuscript writing and advising on statistical methods and may include an experiential or teaching component. Partnerships are needed for a thriving DSU as an active part of the larger university network. Guidance for identifying, developing and managing successful partnerships for DSUs can be summarized in six rules: (1) align with institutional strategic plans, (2) cultivate partnerships that fit your mission, (3) ensure sustainability and prepare for growth, (4) define clear expectations in a partnership agreement, (5) communicate and (6) expect the unexpected. While these rules are not exhaustive, they are derived from experiences in a diverse set of DSUs, which vary by administrative home, mission, staffing and funding model. As examples in this paper illustrate, these rules can be adapted to different organizational models for DSUs. Clear expectations in partnership agreements are essential for high quality and consistent collaborations and address core activities, duration, staffing, cost and evaluation. A DSU is an organizational asset that should involve thoughtful investment if the institution is to gain real value.

The Crisis in World Trade Law: How the Dust Is Settling

Abstract: Reform and extension of world trade law have stalled because of the WTO's consensus rule. The sense of crisis has been exacerbated by the US refusal to approve new members to the WTO Appellate Body, preventing settlement of disputes arising from current world trade law, and by the United States dropping out of the most promising plurilateral approach to extending world trade law. By unilaterally increasing tariffs, the Trump administration further indicated the US disregard for world trade law. After January 2021, President Biden quickly made clear that he would not reverse the US position on the WTO, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), or recent tariff increases. Other countries' responses to the blow to enforcing and extending world trade law were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic that curtailed face-to-face meetings in 2020 and 2021, but the dust began clearing in 2023. In June 2023, the UK became the first new member of the CPTPP; China and Taiwan are next in the queue for accession. In 2023, Japan became the 53rd signatory of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), whose signatories recognize binding arbitration decisions on WTO rulings; the United States rejects the MPIA. The article ends by drawing conclusions about the future of the world trade system and the US response to initiatives supported by its major allies and other major trading nations.