ASEAN’s fate hangs in a RCEP balance. What research, reason and experience shows. Witness peoples voices on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (recorded on 25th March 2021. )

ASEAN countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with China and several countries, with the hope of increasing exports.  Research shows that with RCEP,  the balance of trade does not favour the ASEAN nations. Dr.Rashmi Banga, Senior economic affairs officer, UNCTAD explains this.

Experience shows that the trade proposed by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is not compatible with ASEAN value chains explains, Dr. Ika Riswanti, Vice-Dean, Diponegoro University, Indonesia.

Josua  Mata Secretary General, SENTRO, Philippines, says that ASEAN countries should not ratify Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as experience has already shown that it will curb the ASEAN countries’ decision making choices, especially for pro-people policies.