Building a High Standard and Inclusive Asia-Pacific Trade Architecture | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • Center for China Analysis
    • About
    • Research Pillars
    • Staff and Fellows
  • Topics
    • Prosperity
    • Security
    • Sustainability
  • Countries & Regions
    • Australia
    • Central Asia
    • East Asia
    • Oceania
    • South Asia
    • Southeast Asia
    • West Asia
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • ASPI Notes
    • Interactives
  • Initiatives
  • Watch & Listen
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • Past Events
  • About
    • Mission
    • How We Work
    • Institutional Independence
    • Staff
    • Fellows and Advisors
    • Network of Experts
    • Supporters
    • News
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Schwartz Book Award
    • Join Our Email List
  • Support Us
Search
Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Center for China Analysis
    • About
    • Research Pillars
    • Staff and Fellows
  • Topics
    • Prosperity
    • Security
    • Sustainability
  • Countries & Regions
    • Australia
    • Central Asia
    • East Asia
    • Oceania
    • South Asia
    • Southeast Asia
    • West Asia
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • ASPI Notes
    • Interactives
  • Initiatives
  • Watch & Listen
    • Video
    • Podcasts
  • Events
    • Past Events
  • About
    • Mission
    • How We Work
    • Institutional Independence
    • Staff
    • Fellows and Advisors
    • Network of Experts
    • Supporters
    • News
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Schwartz Book Award
    • Join Our Email List
  • Support Us

Building a High Standard and Inclusive Asia-Pacific Trade Architecture

The Asia Society Policy Institute convened a Trade Policy Commission in Australia that examined the current trade architecture in the Asia-Pacific. Members include, from left to right, Yoichi Suzuki, Mari Elka Pangestu, Peter Grey, Wendy Cutler, Jong-hoon Kim, and Tu Xinquan. (Julia Bergen/Asia Society Australia)

Over the past few years, the global and regional trade landscape has been challenged as never before. A growing number of people around the world are questioning the value of trade agreements, holding them accountable for slow wage growth, rising inequalities, and job losses. In the U.S., the 2016 presidential election illuminated widespread skepticism about the benefits of trade agreements, as well as a broader backlash against trade and globalization. Further, trade agreements have not kept pace with the changing nature of trade itself, owing to the increasingly important role of digital and services trades.

But trade has been one of the strongest drivers behind global growth and stability, particularly in Asia. In the past quarter century, the number of trade agreements in the region has increased dramatically, which has enabled these countries to grow their economies, introduce much-needed reforms, and provide better livelihoods for their citizens. Meanwhile, the emergence of global value chains, the growth of digital commerce, and the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises’ engagement in the global economy are creating new economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

Through the initiative "Building a High Standard and Inclusive Asia-Pacific Trade Architecture," the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) has examined the current trade landscape by identifying potential opportunities and challenges ahead for the region. Under the leadership of its Vice President Wendy Cutler, ASPI has undertaken two projects, each providing key recommendations to policymakers to advance high-standard trade and economic integration in the region in light of major developments on the regional trade front.

Charting a Course for Trade and Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific

In March 2016, the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) established an Independent Commission on Trade Policy, chaired by ASPI Vice President Wendy Cutler, to review the network of trade agreements and initiatives underway in the region. Over the course of one year, Commission members—senior trade experts representing a diverse array of Asia-Pacific economies—convened in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Washington. They developed recommendations for policymakers in the region to advance high-standard, forward-thinking trade agreements, which were published in a March 2017 report, Charting a Course for Trade and Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific. 

This project was made possible through the support of the Hinrich Foundation.

Shifting Trade Winds: U.S. Bilateralism and Asia-Pacific Economic Integration

As the dust settled from the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP, Asia-Pacific economies were already hard at work developing contingency plans for achieving regional economic integration by advancing trade agreements between themselves and with major economies around the world. In light of these unfolding developments, ASPI established a “Trade Forum” composed of senior trade experts and chaired by Wendy Cutler to provide policymakers with recommendations on how to advance regional and bilateral trade agreements in an increasingly complex trade landscape. Updating the findings of ASPI’s March 2017 report, ASPI’s new issue paper, "Shifting Trade Winds: U.S. Bilateralism and Asia-Pacific Economic Integration", delivers practical policy recommendations after an unusually eventful year for trade.

Adjusting to Trade: Asia-Pacific Approaches to Assisting Displaced Workers

International trade has played a crucial role in the Asia-Pacific “economic miracle,” but has also brought economic transformations that have led some citizens on both sides of the Pacific to feel left behind. This ASPI paper surveys six Asia-Pacific countries’ domestic policies designed to address job displacement resulting from trade. The paper finds that governments in the region have made positive in-roads through policy and program combinations including trade-specific adjustment assistance; targeted, fixed-term assistance; and unemployment insurance. However, in “Adjusting to Trade: Asia-Pacific Approaches to Assisting Displaced Workers,” ASPI Vice President Wendy Cutler and Program Officer Jacob Bell find that Asia-Pacific countries need to step-up their efforts to address the mounting challenges presented not only by trade and globalization, but by disruptions resulting from new technologies, innovation, and productivity.

This project was made possible through the support of the Alcoa Foundation.

Initiative Reports

  • TPP Roadmap
    report

    Reengaging the Asia-Pacific on Trade: A TPP Roadmap for the Next U.S. Administration

    Wendy Cutler lays out a roadmap for the next U.S. administration to reengage with the TPP.
  • Aluminum factory workers
    report

    Curbing State-Driven Trade Policies

    How can international trade rules better address the trade distortions presented by industrial subsidies and other forms of state aid?
  • How will Chinese trade be affected by a trade war with the U.S.
    report

    Trade in Trouble: How the Asia Pacific Can Step Up and Lead Reforms

    Wendy Cutler calls on the Asia Pacific to lead trade reforms in this latest ASPI issue paper.
  • US-China trade talks
    report

    Strength in Numbers

    Wendy Cutler makes the case for a collaborative approach to addressing concerns with China's state-led economic model.
  • Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in at the 2018 G20 Summit
    report

    Advancing the U.S.-Korea Economic Agenda

    Issue paper highlighting areas for closer economic cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.
  • Aerial view of cargo ship, cargo container near Thailand.
    report

    Shifting Trade Winds: U.S. Bilateralism and Asia-Pacific Economic Integration

    Asia Society Policy Institute paper with recommendations for how to navigate an increasingly complex Asia-Pacific trade landscape in 2018.
  • Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
    report

    Charting a Course for Trade and Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific

    In the wake of the recent U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, this ASPI report makes recommendations to bolster regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific.

Attachment

  • Charting a Course for Trade and Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific.pdf (PDF, 2.21 MB)
  • Shifting Trade Winds_U.S. Bilateralism & Asia-Pacific Economic Integration.pdf (PDF, 1.56 MB)
  • Adjusting to Trade_Asia-Pacific Approaches to Assisting Displaced Workers.pdf (PDF, 533.13 KB)

Press Release

Trade Policy Commission to Promote Regional Trade Integration in the Asia-Pacific

On the Record

News stories and op-eds relevant to the initiative. 

Featured Video

  • The U.S. Should Rejoin the TPP. Here’s What it Would Take
    Policy
     /  New York

    The U.S. Should Rejoin the TPP. Here’s What it Would Take

    Wendy Cutler discusses the findings of ASPI’s new report Reengaging the Asia-Pacific on Trade: A TPP Roadmap for the Next U.S. Administration.
    Watch Now
  • The U.S.-China Trade War, Continued
    Policy

    The U.S.-China Trade War, Continued

    Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute explores whether and how China and the U.S. might move forward amid the ongoing trade war.
    Watch Now
  • Collaboration among world leaders could produce a better result in negotiating with China, a new paper argues.
    Policy

    Strength in Numbers: How To Deal With China's State-Led Economic Model

    A new issue paper published by the Asia Society Policy Institute argues that the U.S. should employ a collaborative approach to dealing with China's state-led economic model.
    Watch Now
  • President Trump formally withdraws the U.S. from TPP
    Policy

    TPP: The Current State of the Trans-Pacific Partnership

    ASPI's Wendy Cutler assesses the state of U.S. trade relations two years after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
    Watch Now

Related Content

  • Wendy Cutler on Advancing the U.S.-Korea Economic Relationship

    The ASPI vice president and veteran trade negotiator explains why a new issue paper she co-authored on U.S.-Korea trade is so timely.
  • article

    America’s Trading Partners Are Having Plenty of Fun Without Us

    Wendy Cutler writes in The New York Times that that America’s friends and allies are now looking elsewhere on trade.
  • article

    Bilateral vs. Multilateral: Japan and U.S. Should Not Argue Over Labels

    Wendy Cutler writes that Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump must focus on easing trade tensions sector by sector.

  • interview

    TPP Partners Would Welcome U.S. Back but on Their Terms

    Wendy Cutler explains President Trump's statement that he may consider rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
  • interview

    Will Trump Overhaul U.S. Trade Policy With China in 2018?

    Wendy Cutler speaks to NPR Morning Edition about Trump's plans to overhaul U.S. trade policy in 2018.
  • article

    Trade Storms Brewing After Trump's Asia Trip

    Wendy Cutler writes that, following his Asia trip, President Trump is set to make many critical decisions on trade issues that will impact the region.
  • Now is Not the Time for U.S.-South Korea Trade Tensions

    Wendy Cutler outlines how to get the U.S.-South Korea trade relationship back on track.
  • In Big Week for Trade Policy, U.S.-China Talks Should Take the Cake

    Wendy Cutler previews the first meeting of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue, highlighting four key elements to watch for.
  • The EU-Japan Trade Deal is the Wake-Up Call Donald Trump Needs

    ASPI's Wendy Cutler writes in Fortune that Europe and Asia are moving ahead on trade while the United States is missing at the negotiating table.
  • What Asia Should Look Out for in Donald Trump’s NAFTA Talks

    In the South China Morning Post, Wendy Cutler explains why Asian economies are likely to pay great attention to the NAFTA renegotiation.
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC