The Dos and Don’ts of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Pose the Ghana’s Maritime Industry Vis-A-Vis Its National Industrialization Drive

The direct and indirect immensely contributions of free trade blocs/single market integration to the steadilygrowth of developed emergence and least developed economies are unmeasurable. The increasing insatiable demand and approval of the free trade model by almost all of the six continents to enhance their economic development has proved that its benefits have indeed outweighed the challenges. Therefore, this research just like the other internationally recognised literatures on this market system, intends to analysis the impacts of the important/dos, don’ts, opportunities, prospects and other important factors of the recent AU member States unanimously endorsement of AfFCTA’s implementation, will have on Ghana’s maritime industry. The possible quantitative findings in this study do uphold its immensely potential benefits impact on the African and Ghana’s maritime industry development and at the same time, indicate an irresistible gap pertaining to the downward progress of its implementation within the sector. These findings have apparently revealed that loss of revenue from scrapping off customs tariffs carries the highest percentage of all the challenges facing AfCFTA’s implementation and recommend that there must be an effective investment-oriented measures-FDI in harnessing the opportunities and prospects embedded in AfCFTA so as to accelerate Ghana’s maritime industry development in its implementation process.

China's Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN,Japan and Korea:A Comparative Analysis

The role of China in East Asia ＇s recovery from the recent global finaneial and economic crisis highlights China ＇s position as an engine of growth for this region. From the viewpoint of China, there are many potential gains from entering into free trade agreements （FTAs） with its neighbors, who collectively form a large and fast-growing market. In this paper, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the four main permutations of China＇s FTAs with East Asian major economies： China-ASEAN, China-Japan, China-Korea and ASEAN＋ 3. We compare the effects of these FTAs on China ＂s output and welfare. Our comparative analysis shows that China will gain from all three bilateral FTAs, while gaining the most from the ASEAN＋ 3. Because forming a region-wide FTA, such as the ASEAN＋ 3, is expected to be gradual and difficult, China shouM continue to engage in bilateral FTAs as a mediumterm and alternative strategy. However, in the long term, China should pursue a regionwide FTA.

An assessment of China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement＇s economic and environmental impacts on China

Recently, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea （Korea） are conducting a government-commis- sioned feasibility study on the Free Trade Agreement among the three countries （CJKFTA） to form a regional free trade zone in East Asia. Considering that freer trade can cause unexpected impact on domestic environment, there is a need to evaluate the environmental impact of such a trade policy. This move should be made to help negotiators understand and pay more attention to environ- mental issues during CJKFTA negotiations, and to help lobby with the government to carry out appropriate policy instruments for adaptation or mitigation. Following the Chain Reaction Assessment Method that integrates and links the elements of trade, production, and environment, the present research aims to quantitatively assess CJKFTA＇s possible impact on China＇s environment. This is done by estimating the variations of China＇s major conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases （GHGs） emission in two policy scenarios to represent CJKFTA＇s scale and composition effects on China＇s environment. Estimating the variations is based on a static Computable General Equilibrium model, working with Global Trade Analysis Project （GTAP） 7 database and China＇s energy- environment statistics. Based on these assessments, CJKFTA is predicted to lead to notable environmental impact, including increased emissions of agricultural total nitrogen, agricultural total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and GHGs. On the other hand, decreased emissions of industrial SO2 and dust are also expected to happen. Suitable policies need to be made to combat negative effects and amplify positive ones, while aiming at a more sustainable regional freer trade system.

Formal or Informal? The Dispute Settlement Mechanisms of China's Free Trade Agreements

The dispute settlement mechanism(DSM) has long been the focus of attention because of its significant role in the institutional construction of China's free trade agreements(FTAs). Thus, this paper is to make an analysis of the DSMs of China's established FTAs from a legal perspective of international regime study, which leads to the finding of a co-existence mode of formal and informal DSMs in China's FTAs. This paper also discusses the motivation and significance of such a choice.

Would a North-South Free Trade Agreement Hurt Unskilled Labor in the North？

I present a simple model to examine the impact of international outsourcing on the welfare of skilled and unskilled labor. In this model, specialized business services are to facilitate manufacturing production, creating additional welfare gains in the presence of positive production externalities. Policies that favor the business service sector contribute to the development of a larger bundle of specialized business services, generating more welfare gains to not only skilled but also unskilled labor. Thus, a country＇s unskilled labor is not necessarily worse off with open trade if the country is prosperous in business service provisions.

CEFTA as Trade Agreement and Its Role in Its Countries＇ Economic Development and E.U. Integration （Case of Albania）

CEE （Central Eastern European） region comprises a group of countries at a relatively similar stage of economic development and with the common objective of becoming member of EU. The size of the market has pushed CEE countries to find ways towards a larger market. Joint forces, into free trade agreements, have contributed to their economic growth and European Integration. How did it happened, and what are the consequences of free trade agreements, under the example of Albania, it has been studied and analyzed, through data collections from different sources like the WB, IMF, National Banks, business round table discussions, etc.. Among all the free trade agreements CEFTA has shown to be the most effective. Central European Free Trade Agreement, CEFTA, since 2006, has been a tool to businesses making the rules and regulations governing trade in the European Region. It has contributed to make trade simpler and increasingly harmonized all procedures with those of the EU and the WTO （World Trade Organization）. As a conclusion, CEFTA experience has shown to have improved considerably business ability of developing European economies, to trade with the EU countries and the world. CEFTA has created an attractive market for investments while before the market in the Region was fragmented and unattractive to important investments, has promoted growth, and contributed to job creation. Albania is a recent success of it.

“一带一路”贸易便利化的十年进展、问题分析与推进路径

共建“一带一路”走过了蓬勃十年,它不仅是中国新时代扩大对外开放的总抓手,而且为国际社会提供了重要合作平台。贸易畅通是共建“一带一路”的核心任务之一,贸易便利化对推动“一带一路”贸易畅通至关重要。在共建“一带一路”十周年之际,本文从商签自贸协定、加强海关合作、交通互联互通、发展贸易新业态四个方面,系统总结十年来“一带一路”贸易便利化的历程与进展,剖析当前存在的问题,探讨进一步提升贸易便利化水平的路径。

以高水平开放助推新质生产力发展

新时代以来,中国实行更加积极主动的开放战略,高水平对外开放不断跃上新台阶,成为推动中国经济高质量发展的重要动力。高水平开放同样是助推新质生产力发展的重要动力:制度型开放,有助于吸引全球优质资源要素为新质生产力发展赋能;对“一带一路”直接投资的逆向技术溢出,有助于全要素生产率提升;环境保护等国际高标准经贸规则新议题谈判,将倒逼绿色生产力发展。未来,以高水平开放助推新质生产力发展的重点路径包括:稳步扩大制度型开放,为吸引全球优质资源要素营造良好投资环境;推进共建“一带一路”高质量发展走向新阶段,赋能全要素生产率提升;推进自由贸易协定向更高标准迈进,促进经济发展全面绿色转型。

“双自联动”加快构建新发展格局的理论思考与政策建议

本文以党的二十大和二十届三中全会精神为指导,基于稳步扩大制度型开放、构建“双循环”新发展格局和推进中国式现代化的战略要求,以中国对外签订自由贸易协定(FTA)和对内设立自贸试验区(FTZ)形成的两大网络体系为主轴,从理论上阐释了“双自联动”与构建“双循环”新发展格局之间的逻辑机理,揭示了“双自联动”的重点领域,以及通过FTA与FTZ三层次、多层级“双自联动”稳步扩大制度型开放与促进构建新发展格局的机制路径,为我国构建更高水平的开放型经济新体制提供自主创新的理论思路与实践对策建议。

越南自贸协定中的农业开放策略及对中国的启示

近年来,越南作为亚太地区重要的新兴经济体,构建了面向主要贸易伙伴的自由贸易区网络,积极推动农业对外开放,促进了农业贸易与投资的增长,并通过对标国际高标准经贸规则倒逼国内农业改革,巩固了农业产业优势,将自身农业发展更深地嵌入全球农业供应链。与越南相比,中国目前签署的自由贸易协定涵盖的农产品贸易额较低,农业货物贸易自由化水平及服务贸易和投资开放水平有待提升。在新发展阶段,基于建设农业强国和贸易强国的现实要求,中国应继续积极推进高标准、高水平自由贸易区建设,分类设计自由贸易协定中的农业货物贸易开放方案,加大涉农服务投资开放的压力测试,并关注农业开放中的产业损害问题。

跨境数据流动规制的模式差异、协调路径与中国方案

截至目前,全球并未形成统一的数据流动规则体系,数据跨境流动规则主要分为美国模式、欧盟模式和中国模式。由于主要数字经济体在数据跨境流动与数据安全保护之间的关注焦点不同,以全球主义或国际软法为方法推进高标准的全球统一数据流动规则体系构建的方案,在短期内难以实现。作为数字经济大国,我国应转变对商业数据跨境流动相对保守的态度。我国可以全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定(CPTPP)“电子商务”章节为主要内容,探索通过与韩国、日本及欧洲、东南亚国家等缔结专门的数字贸易协定,推动跨境流动规则体系的建设。我国还应加快对区域全面经济伙伴关系协定(RCEP)等经贸协定“电子商务”规则的国内转化立法,特别是积极引入数据跨境流动的风险评估理念与制度。

Possible Chinese Strategic Responses to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership （TPP） Agreement have concluded, but the TPP still must be ratified by each of the 12 member countries. China is the world＇s second largest economy and yet it has not joined the TPP. This has provoked much debate in China as to the best strategic approach to the TPP This paper analyzes China＇s possible strategy for the TPP agreement. We make three key points. First, the security of market access should be China＇s main concern in any free-trade agreement negotiations, regrettably, it is not included in TPP. The second point is that the present TPP agreement is somewhat diminished from its ambitious original claims. We suggest four strategies for China. The first is to promote the development of China＇s remaining regional and bilateral free trade agreements （FTAs）. The second is to negotiate a bilateral FTA with the United States. The third is to promote deep domestic reforms via enlarged TPP coverage. The last is negotiating entrance to the entering do not worsen. TPP as soon as possible so that terms of

全球农业贸易规则演变与中国粮食安全战略

当前,全球农业贸易规则正从多边治理向多边—双边双重治理转换、由低标准治理向高标准治理提升、由边境规则向边境内规则拓展、由规则协调刚性向包容并蓄转变,这是全球地缘政治经济格局变动下国家竞争的结果。文章重点考察了农业贸易规则演变对中国粮食安全的影响。研究发现,农业市场准入规则加剧了粮食贸易逆差,投资规则可能诱发跨国公司在华垄断,高标准SPS规则降低了农产品竞争力,而知识产权保护、环境保护、电子商务、竞争中性等边境内规则对中国粮食安全产生了多重影响。在此基础上,文章从构建全球自由贸易区网络、主动对接和积极构建农业贸易规则、构建竞争有序的粮食市场体系、加强外商投资的引导与监管、加快培育国内粮食龙头企业、完善粮食安全应急保障机制等六个方面提出强化粮食安全的战略举措。

自由贸易协定知识产权保护深度与出口产品质量——基于亚太区域贸易协定文本的量化研究

本文运用自然语言文本处理分析方法量化亚太区域自由贸易协定(FTA)的知识产权保护深度,探讨FTA知识产权保护深度对出口产品质量的影响。结果发现,FTA知识产权保护深度加强显著提升了各国出口产品的质量。异质性分析表明,从国家类型看,FTA知识产权保护深度能显著提升北–北、南–北国家的出口产品质量;从产品类别看,FTA知识产权保护深度对高知识产权密集型和低知识产权密集型产品出口质量均有促进作用,但对高知识产权密集型产品的出口质量提升作用更显著,另外不同行业所受影响也存在差异。从驱动因素来看,外商直接投资引致的技术溢出效应和研发激励效应是FTA知识产权保护深度促进出口产品质量提升的重要路径。同时,我国签订FTA的生效及其知识产权保护深度加强均能促进提升我国出口产品质量。因此,渐进有效推动FTA知识产权规则深化,合理审慎选择FTA伙伴方,对标高标准国际贸易和投资规则,将有利于我国出口产品质量的提升。

Impact of openness, economic policy reform and regional shocks on trade and growth of Thailand： An econometric study

Thailand has currently enhanced and promoted intensive trade and investment liberalization and implemented long-term growth policy according with current regional economic integration, WTO obligations and globalization. Nevertheless, several recent internal and external factors e.g. the massive SARS and avian flu outbreaks, the Indian Ocean tsunami devastation, the Asia financial crisis and domestic policy reforms （ICSEAD, 2006） have also impeded this policy. While the issues are important for Thailand and developing countries in Asia, only limited research has been undertaken to investigate them. The paper conducts a substantive quantitative study to contribute to these trade and development policy issues. A new econometric modelling policy method, namely the generalized gravity theory （Tran Van Hoa, 2004） is used to develop a simple flexible simultaneous-equation econometric model of Thailand＇s openness model with its seven major trade partners （ASEAN-4, Australia, the USA, the EU, China, Japan and India）. Using data from the ICSEAD, the World Development Indicators and the Bank of Thailand databases, the paper reveals efficient and reliable empirical findings on trade-growth causality, trade determination including the impact of shocks and policy reform on trade and growth between Thailand and its major trade partners over the past two decades. The paper also provides evidence on the linkages between trade in goods, FDI and services and regional economic integration for more credible policy implications.

自由贸易协定深化网络地位与数字贸易发展:影响、挑战与中国应对

本文基于DESTA数据库的贸易协定数据,实证检验自由贸易协定深化网络对数字贸易发展的影响。研究表明,自由贸易协定深化网络地位对数字贸易存在显著正向影响。在异质性方面,“电信、计算机和信息服务”受到自由贸易协定深化网络地位的促进作用最大,“保险和养老金服务”受到的促进作用最小。中国在数字贸易发展中面临的一大挑战在于,对自由贸易协定深化网络地位较高的经济体较为依赖,细分产品来看,中国的“电信、计算机和信息服务”“知识产权费用”等数字服务进口多来自自由贸易协定深化网络地位较高的国家,且网络地位越高,中国进口自这些经济体的电信服务、知识产权服务越多。本文的研究结论为在构建面向全球的高标准自由贸易区网络背景下,如何促进我国数字贸易发展提供了有益的政策启示。

自由贸易协定纵向深化对中国出口商品结构的影响——以CAFTA升级为准自然实验

自由贸易协定纵向深化是中国推进自由贸易区提升战略的重要内容,厘清其对出口商品结构优化的影响对实现出口贸易高质量发展具有重要意义。基于中国-东盟自由贸易区升级视角,运用双重差分法系统研究了自由贸易协定纵向深化对中国出口商品结构的影响。结果显示,自由贸易协定纵向深化对中国出口商品结构优化具有显著正向作用,这种正向效应在基础制造业中更凸显;自由贸易协定纵向深化通过价值链整合效应、外商投资激励效应和生产效率促进效应等途径显著促进了出口商品结构优化。基于此,提出了持续推进FTA纵向深化、扩大面向全球的高标准自由贸易区网络,畅通FTA纵向深化促进出口商品结构优化的作用渠道,推动装备制造业深度融入自由贸易区市场等对策建议。

中美自贸协定文体特征对比分析——基于语料库的句法复杂度评价

通过使用句法复杂度测量指标测量中美自由贸易协定英文版的句法复杂度,探讨语域特征,对比分析两类文体特征的异同得出:中国自贸协定更多关注术语和用词严谨性,句法复杂度总体较低,可读性较强,能够按英语表达习惯做出相应调整,文体一致性较高;美国自贸协定的句法复杂度高,较多使用从句,文风受执政党和领导人影响,句法复杂度呈现历时变化。这一对比分析对商务文体学教学和研究具有一定的启示意义。

自由贸易协定研究的知识图谱与热点分析

自由贸易协定作为国际贸易的重要议题,是加快构建各国新发展格局的重要内容。基于Web of Science核心数据库中的669篇与自由贸易协定相关的英文论文,运用CiteSpace和R语言进行文献计量分析及知识图谱绘制,探究该领域的研究现状和趋势。结果表明:中国和美国相关研究较多,且与其他国家和机构之间的合作较为紧密;相关研究涉及自由贸易协定的定义特点、测度其影响程度的模型工具以及与其他贸易政策工具的对比分析等主题;研究热点的演进从关注如何构建自由贸易协定转向如何更加完善有效地测度自由贸易协定的影响程度。

Macroeconomic and Social Impacts of Economic Partnership Agreements on Ivorian Economy： A New Assessment

This study reassesses the macroeconomic and social impacts of Economic Partnership Agreements （EPAs） on Ivorian economy using Computable General Equilibrium （CGE） model with positive externalities of public investment in education, health, and economic infrastructure. Previous studies highlight negative effect of these agreements stressing particularly on losses in government revenues due to the removal of all tariffs on imports. This analysis aims to provide some insight into this question by refreshing the debate to show how this situation could be transformed into opportunities for Ivory Coast in order to promote growth and reduce poverty. To do so, this study postulates that government spending （investment） in economic infrastructure （roads, bridges, communication network, etc.）, in education and health sectors produces positive externalities in each industry. This assumption has not been set anymore in previous studies. Simulation results reveal that, despite this decline in government revenues, if it invests in economic infrastructure, health and education sector, EPAs will generate more revenue for government due to the rise in income tax on firms and households, and tax on overall production. Furthermore, household income will increase which will in turn stimulate （final） consumption. There won＇t also be a decline in economic growth.