Mega-FTAs and the Global Political Economy

Scholars from the U.S., Asia, and Europe explore the dynamics of Mega-FTAs (Free Trade Agreements), with a primary focus on the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Since 1995 we have witnessed a rapid rise in the negotiation of bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), both by major powers such as the US, EU, China, and Japan, as well as by smaller and medium-sized economies such as Korea, Chile, Mexico, and Singapore. Over the last five years, we have seen initiatives to create so-called Mega-FTAs, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Among the questions addressed: What are the economic and political goals of countries that decide to participate in Mega-FTA negotiations? How do negotiation processes evolve in different political systems? What are the implications of regional Mega-FTAs for the regional security and political order?

This conference began on Friday, October 24 and ended on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at UC Berkeley.

Sponsored by the Institute of East Asian Studies, East-West Center (Honolulu), Clausen Center for International Business & Policy, Center for Chinese Studies , Center for Japanese Studies, and the EU Center for Excellence, UC Berkeley

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