RCEP

Workers call on Governments to Defend the Public Interest and Reject RCEP

We are trade union and civil society representatives from seven Asian countries who came together to discuss the impacts on labour rights and quality public services of the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 16 Asian nations. RCEP proposes to open markets and deregulate substantial sectors of the economies involved, including trade in goods …

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Investor-state dispute settlement

Asia Pacific civil society rejects investor rights to sue governments in RCEP negotiations

MEDIA RELEASE It’s Our Future Asia Pacific civil society rejects investor rights to sue governments in RCEP negotiations As Trade Ministers, including New Zealand’s Todd McClay, meet in Laos today (5th August), an unprecedented alliance of 95 civil society groups are calling for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to exclude extreme forms of investor …

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India plays hardball on goods tariffs

Ahead of the upcoming RCEP negotiation round in Laos this week, the Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has signified her country’s intention to not reduce tariffs on goods to zero (i.e. tariff reduction, not tariff elimination). An unnamed government official is quoted in The Hindu BusinessLine saying that the level of tariff reduction India will offer in …

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Civil society groups say No to investors suing States in RCEP

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is being negotiated in secret by 16 countries. A leaked copy of its investment chapter includes proposals to allow foreign investors to sue governments. 95 national and regional civil society organisations which cover all RCEP countriesstrongly urge RCEP countries to reject ISDS in the agreement.