| The 600m strong ASEAN community has become the centre of a global tug of war on trade. As the US under Trump retreats from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), China is stepping up its engagement through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) while Japan and India are both strengthening their relations with ASEAN.
The EU has decided to go down the bilateral route, signing deals with Singapore and Vietnam, while still open to a possible bloc to bloc FTA. Talks with Thailand could restart as soon as there is a restoration of democratic rule. The EU, however, is caught between the business imperatives of seeking new trade deals and the reversal of democratic progress and human rights in some ASEAN members. In addition there are serious concerns about the EU’s ratification of the Singapore and Vietnam deals.
You are invited to a panel discussion at which these and other issues, including rising protectionism in the US, prospects for the TPP and the impact of Brexit, will be discussed. The discussion will be from 1700-1830 on 27 February, in the Press Club, Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels.
Agenda
1700 Welcome by Fraser Cameron, Director, EU-Asia Centre
Panel with
Dr Suthad Setboonsarng, Board Member, Bank of Thailand
David Martin, MEP, Trade Committee
Helena Koenig, Director, DG Trade
Iana Dreyer, Editor, Borderlex
1800 Q and A
1830 Close |
