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INTERVIEW
RCEP seen as more important than TPP for now
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun,
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn has suggested that Thailand should eventually join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will control about 40 per cent of global gross domestic product and one-third of world trade if approved.

But until the TPP is finalised, Thailand should focus on the Asean-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), she said.

Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn has suggested that Thailand should eventually join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will control about 40 per cent of global gross domestic product and one-third of world trade if approved. But until the TPP is finalised, Thailand should focus on the Asean-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), she said.

"We can wait for the TPP to be firmly established by the first 12 member countries [which do not include Thailand]. Right now, pharmaceutical patents and biodiversity remain the major issues for Thailand if we're to negotiate to join the TPP," she said.

The potential TPP partners are the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico, Peru and Brunei. The RCEP will include the 10 members of Asean plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

Some have said that since three Asean members - Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - are set to be among the founding members of the TPP, Thailand could be put at a disadvantage if the controversial pact is approved. China will also not be a member of the TPP as things currently stand.

But Apiradi said: "The TPP's strength is its huge market footprint, but in my opinion, the RCEP free-trade area is more important to Thailand. It is also comparable to the TPP, also accounting for 40 per cent of world trade. The RCEP has a larger population of 2.6 billion.

"In addition, production facilities and supply chains of several key industries are currently established in Thailand, so they could benefit more from the RCEP's tariff preferences and other privileges.

"RCEP negotiations are ongoing and we expect an agreement on tariffs and rules of origin soon, possibly next year. As a major production base in mainland Asean, we have a competitive advantage, especially in view of the land-transport connectivity such as the East-West Corridor linking Thailand with Cambodia and Vietnam on one side and with Myanmar on the other.

"For the North-South Corridor, we could be linked with Myanmar, southern China, Laos and India by highway."

Meanwhile, Apiradi expressed confidence that the recovery of automotive, jewellery and food exports in the remaining months of this year will ensure that overall export value will not contract by more than the 3 per cent year on year anticipated by the ministry.

"In fact, the latest figures show that our export performance in the first five months of this year was not too bad among the world's top 20 exporting nations. We faced a smaller export contraction than Malaysia or Singapore," she said.

Despite China's devaluation of the yuan, Apiradi said Thai exporters should continue to promote the shipment of food, jewellery and other products to Chinese cities such as Shanghai, where quality Thai products still have a strong market potential.

"On the other hand, a big portion of Thai exports to China are raw materials and parts that are used for products re-exported by Chinese companies, so the impact from the yuan's devaluation should be minimal." It could even be positive, she said, since China should be able to export more because of the cheaper currency. "In addition, we will boost exports to India with a focus on consumer goods and jewellery among other products in cities such as Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore."

As well, she noted, "Figures show that our market share in the US has recovered to 1.28 per cent from last year's 1.16 per cent, and in Japan to 3.1 per cent from last year's 2.68 per cent. "In the US, we have benefited from the return of GSP [Generalised System of Preferences] privileges. Exports to Europe are not good yet because of the Greece crisis, but we could export more food and other items to Russia because of Western sanctions," she said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/RCEP-seen-as-more-important-than-TPP-for-now-30266677.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-17

[Daniel Boon]

super bad move ... a licence to Americans to sue any government that will not kowtow to companies business methodologies that will cause environmental and social problems ...

comparative: Alan Bond (Australian who won the America's Cup) started as a house painter; fast forward, he heard that the Labor government was to ban uranium mining, he bought licences and when the government did, he sued them for potential loss of income, made hundreds of millions ... did nothing to 'earn' the money American companies are just lining up to do the same thing ...

[Seastallion]

super bad move ... a licence to Americans to sue any government that will not kowtow to companies business methodologies that will cause environmental and social problems ...

comparative: Alan Bond (Australian who won the America's Cup) started as a house painter; fast forward, he heard that the Labor government was to ban uranium mining, he bought licences and when the government did, he sued them for potential loss of income, made hundreds of millions ... did nothing to 'earn' the money American companies are just lining up to do the same thing ...

Yep. It's a super-bad idea.

[Seastallion]

[Srikcir]

Right NOW Thailand needs substantial investment capital for infrastructe development.

It should join EVERY economic association like TPP to borrow that capital. The current regime seems very proficient at borrowing capital from foreign sources as opposed to raising capital internally.

Delaying membership in TPP is just going to divert TPP capital to other TPP undeveloped members; there is no set aside for when Thailand decides to join. If the Junta has to eat some of its brash political snipes at the USA to do so, it is a small sacrifice for the future of the Thai people.

[Daniel Boon]

Right NOW Thailand needs substantial investment capital for infrastructe development.

It should join EVERY economic association like TPP to borrow that capital. The current regime seems very proficient at borrowing capital from foreign sources as opposed to raising capital internally.

Delaying membership in TPP is just going to divert TPP capital to other TPP undeveloped members; there is no set aside for when Thailand decides to join. If the Junta has to eat some of its brash political snipes at the USA to do so, it is a small sacrifice for the future of the Thai people.

Wrong....

The TPP isn't an association ...

[sgtsabai]

The TPP is nothing but a give away to multi-national corporations. There are no more "American" companies. It will destroy the working/middle class (what's left of it) in America and workers in all countries that join. Any country joining will give up sovereignty to multi-national corporations. Medicine will become as expensive in every country as it is in America and the internet will be censored. There is already basically "free trade" with the countries involved and most of the TPP is only for the protection of corporate rights, the right to overrule a countries own laws. Any leader of a country that joins is destroying his/her own country and giving rule to multi-national corporations. There is nothing good in TPP except for multi-national corporations and plutocrats.

[Seastallion]

The TPP is nothing but a give away to multi-national corporations. There are no more "American" companies. It will destroy the working/middle class (what's left of it) in America and workers in all countries that join. Any country joining will give up sovereignty to multi-national corporations. Medicine will become as expensive in every country as it is in America and the internet will be censored. There is already basically "free trade" with the countries involved and most of the TPP is only for the protection of corporate rights, the right to overrule a countries own laws. Any leader of a country that joins is destroying his/her own country and giving rule to multi-national corporations. There is nothing good in TPP except for multi-national corporations and plutocrats.

Correct. And this is why there is little transparency in the dealings. The public have not been privy to the "secret" details, and the details that have been released, stink. American corporations will be laughing all the way to the bank, and to the court, and back to the bank.

You couldn't have described it better, Sgt.

[DavidEHSmith]

TPP & other Global Treaties/Arrangements

Corporate America, after its 2008 Tactical Probe into Deregulation & Its Sub sequential Buying Short on its Global Recession, is Anxious for Its Legitimized & Globalized (TPP/TTIP/CETA) Full Invasion; HSBCs money laundering, Enrons insider trading, Chase Banks fraud, etc.

Corporate Canada & its Traditional Big 3 Political Parties are desperate to increase its play time under the skirts of Corporate U.S. in the International Glitter Game.

TPP, TTIP, CETA; Roll-back NAFTA, et al, Tribunal Penalties (ISDS) paid by Canadian lil guy; $125 M & $25 M legal fees to Reneging Corporate America. U.S. Pays 0. You Should have Known; President Bush. Prohibit Future TPP, et al, ISDSs.

Corporate U.S. is Leaving Grassroots America, et al, Fatally Vulnerable; China can Kill TPP, et al,by Offering its Trade Partners Alternative to citizen Punishing Dispute Settlements (ISDS) & few other Hearts & Minds choices? CHINA too Humbling for Corporate America & Assocs.? Is a Kinder & Wiser CHINA too Humbling for Corporate America & Assocs.?

ANTI-Globalists (GREENs) PROHIBITED from Corp.Canadas Election DEBATE

Can the Canadian, et al, voters even debate the Pros & Cons of the TPP & other Global Treaties/Arrangements when the CBC & Corporate Canadas media have Decided that the TPP is NOT a CHOICE, but, merely a matter of Choosing the best negotiator.. of their Arrangements?

TPP, TTIP, CETA & other Global Treaties/Arrangements; The Three Card Monte.

How long have Global Corporate Associates been Passing Legislation in Anticipation of Suing Once Ratified? Trickle Up & Out Economics.

Do Harmless, Individual Taxpayers Needs Direct, Cash Dividends from Corporate America & Global Assocs. for Secret Corp. Benefits Paid for by the Harmless Taxpayers?

TPP & Global Corporate Treaties/Arrangements Not about How Much Trade, but, How to Vichy Profits, Who to Trade with to 'Undermine' AIIB & more about Tort Abolishment than Tort Reform?

TPP nations, et al, need good corporate citizens that respect our legislation & need to out bad corporate voters via shareholder meetings?

Americans, Japanese, et al, look forward to working with Savvy Slave Trading Malaysians & Slick Cultural Genociding Canadians. But, we didnt know.

Traditional Canadian Parties Demanding Supplicance to Corporate Canada & its Global Corporate Assocs. is an unholy sin?

Will Pope Francis & other leaders Intercede with Prayer against PM Harper, Corporate Canada, The Canadian Establishment, et al, for Continuing to Blame & Punish those who are continuing to be Deprived of the Due Diligence Info and Continuing its Cultural Genocide? Protecting the Human Rights of Unborn Native Canadians, et al.

Making the leaders of TPP, Shareholders, et al, 'Persona non Grata'; Shareholders' Meetings I.D. Toxic Neighbors, In-laws, et al?

by David E.H. Smith, Qui tam

After New Zealands PM admitted that medicines will cost more, have the citizens of New Zealand & other TPP nations also noticed similar moves like Canadian Prime Minister Harper below? To help pay for the harmless taxpayers guilty transgressions against Global Corporations in Canada, Prime Minister Harper has recently cut the funding for health care by $36 billion dollars. (please see article below)

But, will the lil' guy get 10 years to read, consider, discuss & improve upon (with lawyers paid by Global Corporate Assocs.)?

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FULL Article, see; davidehsmith.wordpress.com

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