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.
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
Parts of the RCEP’s intellectual property chapter could be modelled on the flawed TPP, which extended copyright and e-commerce provisions in favour of corporations at the expense of consumers. Many legal experts are concerned that this could stifle creativity, free speech, and even economic growth.
If the