The political economy of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreements : an ASEAN perspective

ASEAN has been active in the formation of regional trade agreements (RTAs) since the early 1990s. Besides its own integration initiatives like the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN has also enacted five plus 1 FTAs with China, South Korea, Japan, India and Australia-New Zealand, making ASEAN an FTA hub for broader Asian region. Realizing the challenges of multiple FTAs, a decision was reached in November 2011 to establish a comprehensive RTA, covering the five ASEAN+1 FTAs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework. Another RTA that has attracted lot of attention lately is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), led by the United States. Despite the similar objective of increasing economic cooperation, the two RTAs differ from each other. RCEP is expected to accommodate the development differences of the member countries, while TPP is said to have a more demanding set of commitments. Both RCEP and TPP are perceived to have strategic roles in the Asia-Pacific region. TPP is a component of the U.S.'s Asian 'pivot' strategy, in reaction to Asia's economic rise and integration efforts. TPP also can be viewed as a consequence of the limited integration progress under APEC. In addition many have argued that TPP is a containment strategy aimed at China. RCEP is expected to reinforce ASEAN 'centrality' in the wider Asia-Pacific regional architecture. The ongoing negotiations for both RCEP and TPP face complex challenges, and are expected to encounter difficulties to conclude

Jewish Writings from the Hellenistic-Roman Period is a collection of apocrypha and Old Testament pseudoepigrapha along with other ancient Jewish writings of importance for the understanding of the cultural realities in the epoch of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. The texts are made accessible in academically precise translations with brief introductions and comments. The series is intended for teachers and students of Bible studies, Jewish studies, Ancient Near Eastern studies (and related disciplines), Egyptology, the History of Religion and Culture, and for the general reader interested in cultural and religious history.

FOREWORD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION 2. RISE OF ASIA 3. ASEAN AND ITS FTAs 4. TPP VS RCEP-THE DEBATE CONTINUES 5. STRATEGIC ROLE OF THE MEGA-TRADE DEALS 6.RCEP AND TPP: POSSIBILITY OF CONVERGENCE FOR AN FTAAP? 7. CONCLUDING REMARKS