Regionalism, Trade and Economic Development in the Asia-Pacific Region

by M. A.B. Siddique (Editor)

Overview

This book is based on the premise that Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) in the Asia-Pacific significantly impact on the material progress of the peoples of this region. These impacts - in terms of the benefits and costs associated with RTAs - will vary greatly from country to country.

The internationally acclaimed contributors examine the theoretical perspective of RTAs in relation to exchange rates, the role and goals of the WTO and agriculture. The tensions and trade frictions resulting from the formation of trade blocs and their conflicts with the roles and goals of the WTO are also examined in the book. Those economies that are considered the economic powerhouses of the region including China, Japan, South Korea, major ASEAN countries and Australia are discussed in depth. The findings of the book suggest that RTAs are becoming increasingly popular in the Asia-Pacific region. However the associated costs and benefits depend on a number of complex factors including exchange rates, negotiation skills, the sectors included or excluded from the RTA, and the level of economic development of the nations signing the RTAs.

The book will be particularly useful to academics, researchers, consultants, students, policy makers (including trade negotiators), and practitioners involved in trade and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845425036
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	03/26/2007
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Edited by M.A.B. Siddique, Associate Professor in Economics, Business School, University of Western Australia

Table of Contents

Contents:

Preface

PART I: INTRODUCTION
1. Regionalism, Trade and Economic Development: Theories and Evidence from the Asia-Pacific Region
M.A.B. Siddique

PART II: REGIONALISM: THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION AND THE EXCHANGE RATE
2. Preferential Trade Agreements and the Role and Goals of the
World Trade Organization
Andrew L. Stoler

3. Preferential Trade Agreements and Exchange Rate Regimes
Larry A. Sjaastad

4. Major Trade Trends in APEC Economies: Implications for Regional Trade Agreements
Yanrui Wu

PART III: EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
5. Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement and its Implications for Japan
Ippei Yamazawa

6. Free Trade Areas and Economic Integration in East Asia: The View from China
Christopher Howe

7. Reflections on Impacts and Outcomes of Regional Trade Liberalization in an Asia-Pacific Context
Kenneth E. Jackson

8. Korea’s Approaches to Regionalism
Inkyo Cheong

9. AUSFTA and its Implications for the Australian Stock Market
David Allen, Lee K. Lim and Trent Winduss

PART IV: SOUTHEAST ASIA
10. US–Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Implications for Singapore, Australia and other ASEAN Countries
Jose Tongzon

11. Comparative Advantage in Thailand and Indonesia and Potential Free Trade Agreements: Implications for Trade Diversion
William E. James

12. The Singapore–Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA): Motivations and Implications for the Asia-Pacific Economies
Rahul Sen

PART V: SECTOR STUDIES
13. The Commodity Coverage of PTAs: Does Agriculture Matter?
Donald MacLaren

14. Multilateral Consequences of Bilateral Trade Agreements: AUSFTA and the Australian Wool Industry
John Stanton, M.A.B. Siddique, Emma Kopke and Nazrul Islam

PART VI: CONCLUSION
15. Regionalism, Trade and Economic Development in the Asia-Pacific Region: Challenges Ahead
M.A.B. Siddique

Index

Editorial Reviews

'The editor of this book is to be congratulated for providing us with the works of a group of authors who combine proficient technical skills with elegant and lucid writing capabilities. . . This book would make excellent recommended reading for both undergraduate and graduate classes in international trade and finance.'

Herb Thompson