Trans-Pacific Partnership Research Articles

Trade as a commerical determinant of health: The health impact of a free trade agreement on Wales

Abstract As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (‘Brexit’), the UK can negotiate its own trade agreements for the first time in over 40 years. This includes the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP). Public Health Wales undertook a mixed-method Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to assess the potential impact of the CPTPP on health, well-being and inequalities in Wales. It is only the second ever HIA carried out on a free trade agreement (FTA) globally. A literature review on the potential impact of the CPTPP on health was conducted. Qualitative interviews with cross-sectoral representation, such as the environment, were undertaken alongside the development of a community health and demographic profile. The HIA identified significant potential impacts across health determinants, e.g., employment, agricultural production and health care, as well as impacts on population groups, e.g., those on low incomes. The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, economic uncertainty and loss of regulatory alignment were identified as potential pathways for health impacts to affect the population. The HIA highlighted trade as a key commercial determinant of health. The findings have been beneficial in informing policy and decision-makers to prepare for the implementation of the CPTPP and take action to maximise opportunities and prevent potential negative impacts. Communicating HIA evidence that links trade to health has also led to valuable cross-sector and cross-UK engagement and sparked a “rethinking” of trade through a well-being economy lens where health, well-being and sustainability are primary objectives. This work has demonstrated the value of a HIA approach to FTAs by mobilising a range of evidence through a transparent process, resulting in transferrable learning for others as well providing an entry point for public health to have direct engagement with trade negotiators and those participating in trade discussions. Key messages • Trade agreements are a key commercial determinant of health across health behaviour, policy and economy. • Multiple population groups are affected by trade agreements both positively and negatively.

Transcending Geography: The United Kingdom’s Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership

ABSTRACT Immediately after Brexit, the UK started negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The decision is puzzling. First, Brexiteers lauded regaining sovereignty as a key benefit of Brexit, yet the UK Government sought accession to another trade grouping (albeit one far more restrained in regulation and supranationalism). Secondly, CPTPP is a Trans-Pacific project, the UK is not located in that geographic region. UK accession to CPTPP symbolises an operationalisation of the spatial imaginaries of a ‘free-trading’ ‘Global Britain’ that emerged during Brexit. It represents an illustrative example of a state reshaping its boundaries within a ‘space of flows’ where economic interactions and the rules that order these transcend national territories and geographic proximity. This paper draws on UK government and CPTPP documents related to the accession process to establish how the parties understood the process and the reconfiguration of spatial dynamics and redefinition of the TP part of CPTPP to include the UK. It pays particular attention to the development in the discourses of imaginaries of communities of rules and norms as being more significant than geographic considerations in determining the geographic reach of a regional integration initiative like CPTPP. The paper argues that it was this imaginary of a community of standards and free-trade values that justified the recasting the UK as ‘belonging’ in this regional grouping and enabled this new spatial projection for the UK and CPTPP.

Assessment of the Current Situation and Solutions to Attract Australian FDI Capital to Vietnam in the Context of International Integration

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s economic transformation, significantly contributing to industrialization, job creation, and export growth. Since the introduction of the Law on Foreign Investment in 1987 and Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007, the country has emerged as a leading destination for foreign investors in Southeast Asia. Key sectors attracting FDI include manufacturing, real estate, and services, which have driven economic development and facilitated Vietnam’s integration into the global economy. Despite these successes, challenges remain that hinder FDI’s full potential, including administrative inefficiencies, complex regulations, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure. The shortage of highly skilled labor, especially in technology-driven fields, also limits the country's ability to attract higher-value FDI projects. Moreover, there are regional disparities in FDI distribution, with major urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi receiving most investments, while rural areas are often overlooked. The impact of new-generation Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), is also examined. These agreements enhance market access, legal protections for investors, and reduce trade barriers, making Vietnam increasingly attractive for high-tech and service industries. This paper assesses the current FDI landscape in Vietnam, identifying opportunities and challenges for foreign investors. Recommendations include simplifying business procedures, implementing anti-corruption measures, improving infrastructure, and enhancing workforce training to address skills gaps. By adopting these reforms, Vietnam can attract higher-quality investments, strengthen ties with global supply chains, and foster sustainable economic growth. Additionally, the research emphasizes the importance of building stronger partnerships between FDI enterprises and local firms to ensure the widespread distribution of investment benefits across the economy. With a more favorable investment climate, Vietnam can reinforce its position as a premier destination for global investors and enhance its role in the international market.

Транстихоокеанское партнерство и всестороннее региональное экономическое партнерство как международно-правовая модель экономической интеграции в Азиатско-Тихоокеанском регионе

The article explores international law aspects of the contemporary integration processes in the Asia-Pacific with a specific focus on such relatively new formationsas the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Based on the WTO law provisions with regard to the free trade areas for goods and services, both Partnerships significantly widen the scope of regulated inter-governmental relationships, which allows considering the TPP and the RCEP as a fundamentally new form of the regional trade agreements. Having a fixed number of participating states and a system of institution with their functions and competencies, the Partnerships do not represent inter-governmental organizations and are vested with no legal capacity or, especially, supranational powers. However, this does not undermine the trade and economic significance of the Partnerships while also making them an attractive model of the soft integration structure between the states having different level of economic development, located in different geographical regions and bound with their own integration obligations under bi- and multilateral (subregional) trade agreements. The founding agreements of the Partnerships are typical “WTO plus” arrangements combining the provisions on liberalization of trade in goods and services with the parties’ mutual obligations in the fields of investments, sustainable development, competition, administrative and legal cooperation. At the same time, applicability of parallel bi- and multilateral trade agreements between the Asia-Pacific states, including those within ASEAN, forms a complex multilayer regulation of foreign trade and entails a risk of legal uncertainty for economic operators.

The Transformation of International Relations in East Asia at the End of the XX – Early XXI Centuries

The author examines the role of various institutions and countries in the transformation of the world order in East Asia during the period of the late XX – early XXI centuries. The work notes that at the end of the XX century, the American model of the regionalization process, carried out within the framework of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), dominated. However, due to the changes in the US foreign policy doctrine and the Asian economic crisis of 1997–1998, APEC, in the early 2000s, began to give way to ASEAN+, where Japan occupied the leading position. Since the mid-2000s, China has been strengthening due to successfully carried out economic reforms and the use of various integration platforms. As a result, China began to promote its own model of globalization and regionalization in the region, which challenged the American order not only in East Asia, but also in the Asia-Pacific region. In the late 2000s, Washington sought to regain lost positions in the region by promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership integration project, which intensified the struggle between the leading powers for dominance in the region. As a result, in the 2010s. ASEAN+ and Japan are developing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) project, China is beginning to promote the Belt and Road international cooperation organization. As a result of the transformation of international relations caused by the movement of the world from unipolar to multipolar, there is a change in the transformation of the geopolitical situation in East Asia. The United States returned to the «traditional» methods of confrontation, increasing tension in the region and the world

경제안보 시대 CPTPP 가입 평가

Purpose: This study evaluates the economic security implications of Korea’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Research design, data, and methodology: Through a literature review, this paper examines the international trade environment as characterized by weakening of the multilateral trading system, the expansion of global protectionism, intensified U.S.-China strategic competition, disruptions in global supply chains, and the reconfiguration of supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region. Results: Accession to the CPTPP could contribute to the stabilization of Korea’s supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region by advancing market liberalization, attracting investment, introducing advanced standards for customs, enhancing global competitiveness, and diversifying the procurement of intermediate goods. In particular, the CPTPP’s robust rules of origin could offer regional companies’ some flexibility in managing global supply chains. Conclusions: The Korean government needs to expedite the accession process by actively engaging the National Assembly, potentially affected industries, and the general public through positive promotional efforts. It is important to advance the preliminary dialogues with CPTPP member countries. Korea should also develop a strategy that maximizes its negotiating leverage.

BẢO HỘ NHÃN HIỆU ÂM THANH TẠI VIỆT NAM: THỰC TRẠNG VÀ GIẢI PHÁP HOÀN THIỆN QUY ĐỊNH PHÁP LUẬT

As a member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam has recognized and allowed the registration of sound trademark protection since 2022. However, the current regulations on audio trademarks are not yet detailed. This article aims to research current legal regulations on sound trademarks in Vietnam and evaluate their practical applicability based on comparison with regulations in Australia and the European Union (EU), thereby providing possible solutions to improve legal regulations and relevant guidance methods on sound trademark protection in Vietnam.

CPTPP Intellectual Property Rules and China's Response

In the complex and changeable international environment, due to the serious crisis of the multilateral trading system of the World Trade Organization and the influence of trade protectionism of Western countries, the United States and other developed countries try to promote trade facilitation through institutional changes and innovations in the field of intellectual property in order to seek more benefits. In order to avoid being marginalized in the reconstruction of international economic and trade rules and affecting trade exchanges between China and other countries, China formally submitted a written application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2021. The CPTPP, which came into effect in 2018, covers a wide range of content, comprehensive and high standards. So far, the issue of intellectual property is still one of the most important issues that some countries want to solve if they want to join the CPTPP. Although CPTPP shelve the 11 high-standard provisions in TPP, there is still a certain gap between China's intellectual property legal system and the CPTPP intellectual property rules at present. In order to successfully connect with the CPTPP intellectual property rules, it is necessary for China to conduct a comprehensive investigation of its intellectual property text and analyze the differences between it and the domestic intellectual property legal system. And put forward countermeasures.

Enhancing Canada’s Beef Exports and Competitiveness in the Global Market

Alberta reports the highest revenues among all provinces in beef cattle ranching and farming,but there is still considerable potential to maximize profits by expanding international trade.In 2022, Canada exported 0.78 million head of cattle and 430,000 metric tonnes of beef, for atotal trade value of C$5.2 billion. That same year, Canada ranked eighth globally in the volumeof beef exports, sixth in the value of beef exports and fourth in the aggregate value of live cattleand beef exports.This study aims to provide a policy brief on Canada’s beef and cattle production and exports,and international market access and conditions. Trade barriers are identified and evaluated, andthe implications of non-tariff measures (NTMs) are examined. These include, for example, the banimposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom on the importation of peroxyacetic acid(PAA)-treated and hormone-treated beef, and the United States’ political/legislative attemptsto invoke the mandatory country-of-origin labelling (CoOL) standard for Canada’s beef exports.This study also discusses the benefits and limitations of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) forCanada’s beef exports, such as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA); the Canada-EUComprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA); and the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The study concludes by exploring theopportunities to increase Canada’s beef exports and competitiveness in international markets.The analysis indicates that the Canadian cattle/beef sector would benefit from pursuing generalstrategies to increase its competitiveness in foreign markets by promoting its beef, raisingproduction efficiency and reducing production costs, tackling labour shortages, alleviatingregulatory constraints and integrating novel technologies in beef production and processing.The Canadian cattle/beef sector must increase its competitiveness in international markets anddiversify export destinations while maintaining access to the U.S. market. Canada is a major playerglobally, but it needs to increase its competitiveness in, for example, China, Japan, South Korea,Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates as these markets currently relyheavily on beef imports from Australia, Brazil and the U.S., among other countries.It would be critical to encompass strategies tailored to the market characteristics/conditions ofdestination countries, raise the effectiveness of PTAs and stimulate bilateral business/marketingnetworks. This study emphasizes the importance of sustaining market access to the U.S.,enhancing market access to other foreign countries and pursuing pronounced diversificationstrategies in beef exports to mitigate risks and uncertainties in international markets. It alsounderlines the basic requirement of raising competitiveness vis-à-vis other beef-exportingcountries in various international markets. In this context, trade preferences may not necessarilylead to significant increases in Canada’s beef exports to foreign markets when preferential accessis more pronounced for beef exported from other countries. Also, cost reductions should berelatively significant to effectively compete with other beef-exporting countries and realizeincreases in Canada’s beef exports to international markets.

The welfare effects of partial tariff reduction in Japan

When some sectors are more heavily protected than others, will removing lightly protected sectors’ tariffs improve welfare? We argue that this second-best question is highly relevant in Japan, wherein its government made some exceptions to the across-the-board tariff elimination during the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. We have calibrated a specific factor model with multiple import-competing sectors to the 2015 Japanese economy and conducted some counterfactual exercises. Although the partial tariff removal policy in question barely affects Japanese welfare, when it is combined with the agricultural sector tariff removal (across-the-board tariff elimination) the effect on Japanese welfare is made positive. Furthermore, the positive welfare effect more than doubles if it is combined with the removal of the subsidy in the agricultural sector. Both findings indicate the severity of the existing distortion stemming from the Japanese agricultural sector protection as well as the importance of lowering the protection to render the nonagricultural sector tariff removal meritorious.

Mass Attitudes about International Trade Agreements: Positive Messages and the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Abstract From the understanding that the mass public knows little about the benefits of international trade agreements but nonetheless opposes them with opposition representing a problem for domestic ratification, this research note explores if and what messages about the Trans-Pacific Partnership might increase popular support. The experimental results show that providing more background information alone does not increase support, but adding an economic message about how this agreement could lower prices or a security message about how it would help the United States counter China increases support. The economic message also encourages respondents to write a statement to their Senators urging them to vote for ratification. These positive effects appear even within groups that are more opposed, namely less educated citizens and Republicans. Our results address important questions about the formation of trade policy preferences, showing they can be shifted in directions contrary to one's egocentric interests and partisan predispositions.

The potential impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on Thailand’s hepatitis C treatment program

BackgroundThailand has expressed interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a twelve-country plurilateral trade agreement whose original incarnation included the United States of America (USA). When the USA withdrew from this agreement, key intellectual property clauses relevant to pharmaceuticals were suspended. These could be reinstated should the CPTPP Parties decide to do so. MethodsThis study uses two scenarios to cost the impact the CPTPP would have had on Thailand’s 2020 hepatitis C treatment regime if Thailand joined the CPTPP and suspended clauses were reinstated.ResultsJoining the CPTPP could have increased the cost more than tenfold if suspended CPTPP clauses were reinstated and Thailand was not willing or able to issue compulsory licenses. Based on the 2020 budget, the price for this possible scenario could have reduced hepatitis C treatment coverage by 90%.ConclusionsAcceding to trade agreements such as the CPTPP that require increasing intellectual property protection, could compromise Thailand’s hepatitis C program and other national treatment programs reliant on affordable generic medicines. The CPTPP could also prevent Thailand from relying on its own pharmaceutical capabilities to manufacture medicines needed to sustain its treatment programs.

Developing China's Approaches to Regulate Cross-border Data Transfer:Relaxation and Integration

This article illustrates the developing Chinese cross-border data flow regulation regime deriving from a holistic national security conception to its balance with personal information protection and digital economic development. Under the pressuring demand of digital economy development and an increasing appeal to global data governance, China is progressively improving and modifying its original government-led and restrictive cross-border data regulations. Subsequent practices and the publication of the Provisions on Promoting and Regulating Cross-border Data Transfer (PPR) in March 2024 deliver a clear sign of relaxation on restrictions on cross-border data flow, especially on the subject of personal information outbound transfer. Detailed comparison with data provisions in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) demonstrates that global governance of cross-border data flows is unshaped but not unrealistic, even with current fragmented national approaches. China has established a complete personal information protection legal regime and is very close to integrating into transnational cooperation for a broader framework. In addition, by coordinating national provisions regarding cross-data transfer with international rules and piloting lenient cross-border data supervision mechanisms in numerous Pilot Free Trade Zone (PFTZ), China is ready to evolve its cross-border data flow regulations and contribute to global data governance step-by-step.

THE IMPACT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CHAPTER UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AGREEMENT FOR TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP ON VIETNAM PHARMACEUTICAL MARKET

The Intellectual Property Chapter under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has introduced new obligations for Vietnam, notably the protection of Undisclosed Tests or Other Data. This study is of utmost importance as it aims to thoroughly examine the implications of these new obligations, focusing on identifying the benefits for intellectual property rights holders and the public's access to new medicines

Sino-US Economic and Geopolitical Competition under the American Rebalance to Asia strategy

Since entering 21 centuries,the Asian region has become the focus of international attention.The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) and the“One Belt, One Road”(OBOR) strategy are major strategic initiatives launched by the United States and China in response to the American rebalance to Asia strategy.The economic and geopolitical competition between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific region will continue and intensify for quite some time.What is important is that both sides should look at each other’s differences with an open and tolerant mindset and seek a win-win situation through dialog and cooperation.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: intellectual property and trade in the Asia-Pacific

ABSTRACT This article considers the evolution of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – with a particular focus on intellectual property, trade, and sustainable development. This narrative concentrates on the position of Australia – while also discussing the interests of other participating nations. This article charts the aims and objectives of the intellectual property chapter of RCEP. It explores the copyright provisions of RCEP – considering the implications for access to knowledge, innovation, and competition. This article examines the treatment of trade mark law, Internet Domain Names, and geographical indications. It evaluates the regime for patent law and related rights such as data protection, trade secrets, and biologics – with a particular concern for access to medicines and the COVID-19 crisis. It also explores sui generis regimes of intellectual property – such as plant breeder's rights, access to genetic resources, and Indigenous intellectual property. The conclusion considers the future of RCEP – especially given competing mega agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); the Belt Road Initiative; and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.

Impact of green logistics on Vietnam's regional trade

This study investigates the impact of green logistics on Vietnam's regional trade within the frameworks of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from 2007 to 2020. Employing a newly formulated Green Logistics Performance Index (GLPI) derived through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the research assesses how sustainable logistics practices influence trade performance. An extended gravity model is utilized to analyze the impact of green logistics across different regional trade agreements. The findings suggest that improved green logistics correlate positively with enhanced trade outcomes, highlighting the dual benefits of sustainability efforts in the environmental and economic realms. The study contributes to the limited empirical research on the intersection of green logistics and trade in Vietnam, offering a methodological approach for future analyses in this field. It provides valuable insights for businesses and policymakers aiming to align economic growth with sustainability objectives.

Impact of International Trade Agreements on Corporate Law

International Trade Agreements (ITAs) have a significant impact on corporate law. ITAs typically include provisions that affect a wide range of corporate law issues, such as reducing or eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers making it easier for corporations to export their goods and services to foreign markets, other provisions might protect foreign investment and promote investment flows between countries making it more attractive for corporations to invest in foreign markets. Some ITAs protect intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents that is important for corporations that rely on intellectual property to protect their products and services and ITAs also promote competition and prohibit anti-competitive practices which help ensuring that corporations compete fairly in the global marketplace. In addition, ITAs can also have a broader impact, for instance, ITAs can promote the adoption of common legal standards and practices, making it easier for corporations to do business in different countries. For Example, The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) includes provisions that made it easier for corporations to move goods and services between the United States, Canada, and Mexico leading to increased investment flows between these countries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has helped to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights around the world which benefited corporations that rely on intellectual property to protect their products and services. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) includes provisions that promote competition and prohibit anti-competitive practices in the Asia-Pacific region ensuring that corporations are competing fairly in the market. Overall, this Research Paper summarises how ITAs have a significant impact on corporate law and Corporations involved in international trade should be aware of the provisions of the relevant ITAs and how these provisions may affect their business.

Comparative analysis of the impacts of CPTPP and EVFTA on Vietnam’s textile export activities

This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the impacts of two significant Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) – the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) – on Vietnam’s textile industry. Utilizing a quantitative research methodology, the study systematically examines trade data to assess the relative effects of these agreements. The findings reveal that the CPTPP exerts a more substantial influence on Vietnam's textile exports compared to the EVFTA. This is primarily attributed to the CPTPP's more comprehensive market access and more advantageous tariff reduction schedules, which have significantly enhanced Vietnam’s export potential in key markets like Canada, Japan, and Mexico. On the other hand, the EVFTA, while contributing to a steady increase in exports to European markets, demonstrates a less varied impact. The paper’s unique contribution lies in its in-depth analysis of the differential impacts of these FTAs, providing critical insights into their role in shaping Vietnam’s position in the global textile market. The results of this study are particularly valuable for policymakers and trade strategists in developing and fine-tuning trade policies, highlighting the nuanced effects of different trade agreements on export dynamics in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

A Study on the Competitiveness and Influencing Factors of the Digital Service Trade

In today’s digital era, the rapidly escalating digital service industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economic development. However, compared to the countries that are a part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the competitiveness level of China’s digital service trade still needs to be improved. This paper aims to know the differences in the competitiveness of the digital service trade between China and CPTPP countries and explore the factors affecting competitiveness in both exports and imports to improve China’s competitiveness level and narrow the gap with CPTPP, thereby promoting its accession process. This paper first uses China and CPTPP countries’ 2010–2022 import and export volume of digital service data to calculate each country’s revealed comparative advantage index, trade competitiveness index, market share, and Michaely fluctuation index indicators, further comparing the comprehensive level of competitiveness between countries. Then, based on the diamond theory, multiple regression analyses will be conducted based on the factors influencing digital service trade competitiveness and using the indicator data of influencing factors in each country for 2010–2021. The conclusions show that China’s digital service trade competitiveness ranked relatively high among CPTPP countries. The competitiveness of imports and exports of the digital service trade is influenced positively by several factors, including the degree of trade freedom, government efficiency, the number of fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, and the industry’s openness. The value of exports of trade in goods has a positive effect on export competitiveness, the enrolment rate in tertiary education has a positive effect on import competitiveness, and the ratio of employed in the service sector to the total employed has a dual effect, facilitating export competitiveness and inhibiting import competitiveness.