RCEP negotiations 2-12 May in the Philippines
3 May 2017: The next round of RCEP negotiations are being held in Manila, the Philippines, on May 2-12. There is still a push from some countries, including Australia, to use TPP language in the RCEP.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
New RCEP flyer: order now
We have produced a hard copy flyer explaining the main issues in the RCEP, titled 'Is the RCEP the TPP by another name?'. You or your organisation can help by distributing the RCEP flyer to your members or networks. Leaflets can be picked up for free from our Sydney office or we can post them to you - we just ask that you pay the postage. Find out more here.
Video: Dr Pat Ranald introduces the RCEP
AFTINET's Dr Patricia Ranald speaks about the future of trade beyond the TPP and gives an introduction to the RCEP at an event hosted by Jubilee Australia in March 2017.
Thanks to AFTINET supporter Phil Jones for putting together this video.
RCEP could endanger India’s TB programme
29 March 2017: If TPP-like provisions on medicine monopolies are adopted in the RCEP, new medicines will remain expensive for longer periods of time. India’s Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme could be hit badly. Read more
Stronger copyright monopolies
Parts of the RCEP’s intellectual property chapter could be modelled on the flawed TPP, which extended copyright provisions in favour of corporations at the expense of consumers. Many copyright experts are concerned that this could stifle creativity, free speech, and even economic growth.
If the RCEP: Corporations could sue governments
Like the TPP, the RCEP could contain rights for foreign corporations to bypass national courts and sue governments in unfair international tribunals. This system is called investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).
Access to medicines under threat
Harmful TPP-like intellectual property provisions are being proposed in the RCEP. These could raise the price of medicines by extending monopoly rights for pharmaceutical companies and delaying access to cheaper versions of these medicines.
RCEP: Shrouded in secrecy
The RCEP is even bigger than the TPP with its 16 countries representing half the world’s population. It's also more secretive than the TPP, which was infamous for its lack of transparency. What we do know from leaked documents is that there is a push to use the failed TPP as a model - which means the RCEP could also be a bad deal for democracy, health, the environment and working people.