Originally called the Trans-Pacific Partnership until the USA withdrew in 2017, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is an ambitious and wide-ranging free trade agreement between eleven Pacific countries. Far from faltering after US withdrawal, several more countries have since applied to join, including China, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Some observers see in this a contest between China and the USA for wider influence through an attempt to control or re-write the rules of international trade; at a minimum accession by any of the three would have a major impact on the CPTPP as originally envisaged.
This edited volume considers the three applications, the motivations for the three to join, and the likely responses of existing members. The implications for cross-Strait tension between China and Taiwan are fully considered, as is the ability or willingness of the USA to influence the outcome of the applications.
Author(s): Chun-yi Lee, Michael Reilly
Series: Taiwan and World Affairs
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 232
City: London
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Introduction
Notes
References
2 CPTPP Membership for Taiwan: Rationales, Challenges, and Outlook
Introduction
The Rationales of CPTPP Membership for Taiwan
Economic Importance
The Impetus for Regulatory Reform
Global Supply Chain Reform and the Value of CPTPP
Unique Opportunity Rationale
Challenges and Outlook
The CPTPP Process
The China Conundrum
Challenges Concerning the Level of Readiness
Conclusion
Notes
References
3 Not a Fast Pass for China at CPTPP
Introduction
Chapters and Verse
CPTPP’s Trade Appeal to China
Elephant in the Room
The Politics of China’s Membership
Conclusion
Notes
4 Regulatory Constraints and the Political Economy of the UK’s Joining the CPTPP
Introduction
The UK’s Motivations for Joining the CPTPP
Limited Economic Impact of Joining the CPTPP for the UK
Regulatory Constraints and Societal Implications
Regulatory Divergence Between the Asia Pacific and the UK as a Former EU Member
Digital Trade
Food Standards and Safety
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
5 Perspectives of CPTPP Membership Expansion and Its Implications on a Shifting Paradigm of Economic Integration in Asia Pacific
Introduction
UK as the First-Perspective New Member of CPTPP
China’s Membership at the CPTPP
Taiwan’s Membership at the CPTPP
Conclusion
Appendix: Liberalized and Non-Liberalized Bilateral and Multilateral Free Trade Agreements of the CPTPP-11 and the First Three Applicants
Notes
References
6 Australia’s Perspective on the Applications from the UK, China, and Taiwan to Join the CPTPP
The Evolution of Australian Trade Policy
Australian Trade Policy in the 2020s
Australia–UK Relations
Australia-China Relations
Australia–Taiwan Relations
Expanding the CPTPP
The May 2022 Australian General Election
Conclusions
Notes
References
7 Gatekeeper’s Dilemma: Japan Facing CPTPP Applications from China and Taiwan
Introduction
Politics of Free Trade Agreement Enlargement
Japan's Road to the CPTPP with the US Lead and China as a “Shadow” Negotiator
China's Interests in the TPP
Taiwan Factor
In the Gate-Keeper's Dilemma
Japan Between the US and China: Economic Gains Versus Economic Security
Maintaining the CPTPP Standards: Accession and Enforcement of Rules
Conclusion: Balancing the Pros and Cons: Gate-Keeper's Dilemma
Notes
References
8 Divergent Interests for Taiwan’s CPTPP Bid from Washington and Tokyo
A Trade Deal as a Means as Well as an End
Bending to U.S. and Japanese Pressure for Liberalization
Cashing in the Chips
Limited Window of Opportunity for Global Presence
IPEF and the Unknown
Coordination on Economic Security
Maximizing the Window of Opportunity Beyond CPTPP
Notes
9 Not Quite Déjà Vu All Over Again: CPTPP Accession and Taiwan–China–US Relations
Introduction
Taiwan
China
United States
A Protracted Contest Over an Elusive and Shrinking Prize?
Notes
References
Index
