Open AccessASEAN 's Leadership in the R egional C omprehensive E conomic P artnership
Author(s) -
Fukunaga Yoshifumi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asia and the pacific policy studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.529
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2050-2680
DOI - 10.1002/app5.59
Subject(s) - negotiation , international trade , order (exchange) , position (finance) , business , centrality , political science , law , mathematics , finance , combinatorics
A ssociation of S outheast A sian N ations ( ASEAN ) centrality was one of the biggest motivations for ASEAN 's proposal of the R egional C omprehensive E conomic P artnership ( RCEP ) in 2011. In order to gain both politically and economically, ASEAN should play proactive roles in the RCEP negotiation as the driver of substance. ASEAN has already started exercising its influence over the substances of ASEAN + 1 free trade agreements ( FTAs ). In order to further strengthen its leadership in the RCEP , ASEAN should utilise the ASEAN E conomic C ommunity ( AEC ) as the model for RCEP . AEC has achieved a much deeper level of integration than the existing ASEAN + 1 FTAs by setting high ambitions with processes to induce reform initiatives of member states. By using familiar AEC measures, ASEAN can create a single and common position despite the large development gaps among its member states. If modelled after AEC , the RCEP will enforce ASEAN 's reform efforts.