Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

RCEP a “grave threat to access to medicines,” says MSF

March 4, 2017: As RCEP negotiations continue in Japan, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has sent a letter to all negotiating countries to express their serious concern over provisions that threaten to restrict access to medicines for millions of people by delaying access to cheaper medicines and by allowing pharmaceutical companies to sue governments in international tribunals.

Community groups say no TPP in the RCEP as negotiators meet in Japan

Media Release: February 27, 2017: Negotiations between Australia, New Zealand China, India, Japan, South Korea and 10 ASEAN countries continue this week for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Kobe, Japan. The negotiations are held in secret, and the Japanese government has been reluctant to allow community groups to meet with negotiators, only arranging a short meeting with little notice. Negotiations will continue through 2017.

Leaked documents have revealed that TPP-like proposals on stronger medicine monopolies and investor rights to sue governments are on the table. Community groups from most RCEP countries have urged governments to reject these proposals and release negotiating texts. See AFTINET media release here.

Tell the Australian trade Minister to say no to the TPP in the RCEP here.

What is the RCEP?

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is being negotiated between the 10 ASEAN countries, plus China, Japan, India, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The aim is to finish by the end of 2017.

 


MAJOR ISSUES

ISDS TPP-like proposals: India and some ASEAN countries are resisting this and want more exclusions for public interest regulation.

Stronger medicine monopolies: Japan and Korea have tabled TPP-like proposalsresisted by India and low income countries.

Movement of temporary workers: May be proposals for increased numbers of temporary workers without testing whether local workers are available. Read more here.

Report shows trade agreements have boosted medicine and copyright monopolies

20 December, 2016: The Productivity Commission Final Report on Australia’s intellectual property policy  shows how it  has been constrained by trade agreements. Global pharmaceutical companies have successfully lobbied for longer monopolies in trade agreements which have delayed the availability of cheaper medicines, resulting in higher prices. 

Pages