July 21, 2017 There are proposals in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that government regulation should have no compulsory disclosure of source codes, no restriction on transfer and processing of data outside the country, and no requirements for computing facilities to be locally based. These proposals raise questions about the ability of governments to have effective national regulation of data privacy and data security.
July 19, 2017: India is host to the 19th round of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at Hyderabad this week and next. But Indian society itself is strongly opposed to draft clauses in the RCEP.
The New Indian Express reported on July 17 the fears of Kiran Vissa of the Raithu Swarajya Vedika, farmers’ organisation.
July 18, 2017: Foreign Investor rights to sue governments is a hot button issue at the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) talks underway in Hyderabad, India, on July 17-28, 2017.
India’s Mohdi government wants to be a champion of globalisation and free trade, and India wants more Foreign Direct Investment. But India is hurting from cases already mounting against it.
June 20, 2017: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega-regional trade deal, which if adopted, will cover half of the world’s population, including 420 million small family farms which produce 80% of the region’s food.A new infographic from GRAIN shows what this agreement will mean for food and farmers in the region, based on current leaked drafts.
May 31 2017: After the latest round of negotiations, it’s clear major differences remain between RCEP countries, despite a general statement issued after talks were completed. It appears that India is resisting tariff cuts on goods as well as TPP-like proposals on ISDS and medicine monopolies.
4 May 2017: A broad coalition of civil society organisations from the Asia Pacific region are mobilising in Manila and calling on their governments to say 'No to the RCEP’ as negotiators meet there this week.
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.
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.
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.