Efforts to use existing trade agreements to build a larger regional agreement face many challenges. This book considers this problem with reference to ASEAN’s current agreements with key partners and the interest to build the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The analysis of the options is framed by a focus on the use of supply chains in international business. Issues considered include those related to reductions in tariffs, trade facilitation, the treatment of investment and of services and the definition of rules of origin. The work is informed by case studies of supply chains in automobile and electronics, and in a professional service sector. The book provides a set of priority actions for better progress in taking a bottom-up approach to building RCEP.

• Cover 2
• Title 5
• Copyright 6
• Contents 7
• List of figures 9
• List of tables 12
• List of contributors 16
• Preface 18
• Acknowledgements 19
• 1 Overview 21
• 2 Production network trade of ASEAN in the context of China’s rise 40
• 3 Trade facilitation in ASEAN+6 economies: provisions in FTAs, performance and the way forward 63
• 4 FDI liberalisation, free trade agreements and greater regionalism in Asia and ASEAN 116
• 5 Services in ASEAN+1 FTAs 135
• 6 Pursuing a consolidated tariff structure in the RCEP: sensitivity and inconsistency in ASEAN’s trade protection 169