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.

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.

Impact of Sino-US Trade Agreement on Chinese Legal System about Intellectual Property Rights

On January 15,2020,the representatives of Sino-US trade signed Phase I Economic and Trade Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America in Washington,which symbolizes the temporary settlement of two-year Sino-US trade war in relatively peaceful method and lays a good foundation in mutual trust for subsequent Phase II negotiation.This Agreement includes eight chapters involving Sino-US economic and trade and is called the model of the international bilateral agreement by virtue of its wide field and rigorous details.The impact of clauses about intellectual property rights on China’s current legal system and the future revision direction of China’s relevant laws for conformance with the Agreement will be discussed emphatically so that the author can rapidly understand the impact and significance of Sino-US trade agreement to Chinese law.

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.

China＇s Anti-dumping Problems and Mitigation through Regional Trade Agreements

The present paper explores the opportunities for China＇s regional trade agreement （RTA） initiatives to mitigate its anti-dumping problems. The paper highlights the severity and discriminatory nature of China＇s anti-dumping problems. The high concentration of the share of anti-dumping actions taken by the top 4 and top 8 anti-dumping initiators is noted. Our finding of a weak effect of existing RTAs on mitigating China ＇s anti-dumping problems supports the argument that China could become more active in mitigating anti-dumping problems through RTA negotiations. An RTA can include a higher level of openness in exchange for an improvement in regional anti-dumping provisions. Case studies on RTAs involving the EU, the USA and India offer some precedents for offering inducements and modifying regional anti-dumping provisions. The approaches for China may lie in obtaining market economy status from intensive anti-dumping initiators at RTA levels and also altering regional anti-dumping provisions that could be put in place in exchange for some potential concessions.

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.

Short-Term and Long-Term Margins of International Trade： Evidence from the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement

We investigate the impact of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement （CCFTA） on Canadian exports to Chile, particularly the dynamic effects of the agree- ment on extensive and intensive margins of trade. Consistent with the literature, we find that the extensive margin effects occurred later than the intensive margin effects and became more prominent in the long-term. Surprisingly, the intensive margin ef- fects died off in the long-term. A theoretical model is constructed to show that our results can arise in a standard setting of intra-industry trade.

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.

区域贸易协定中竞争政策规则对出口国内增加值的影响研究

以64个国家1995—2017年141个区域贸易协定为样本,在测度竞争政策规则深度的基础上,实证考察其对出口国内增加值的影响。研究结果表明:竞争政策规则的强化有助于提升缔约方出口国内增加值。该结果经过稳健性检验后依然成立。机制分析结果表明,缔约方制度质量加强了竞争政策规则对出口国内增加值的促进作用,但区域贸易协定灵活度会阻碍该促进作用。区分条款发现,横向原则与国有企业条款可以促进出口国内增加值;区分国别发现,竞争政策规则对不同经济发展水平国家出口国内增加值存在异质性影响。进一步分析发现,竞争政策规则的强化对第三方国家存在溢出效应。因此,中国应有意识地强化竞争政策的基础性地位,合理设计竞争政策条款并逐步提升执行度,打造更为开放透明、公平竞争的市场环境。

“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。

RTA知识产权保护强度对出口贸易稳定性的影响研究

在国际贸易不确定性加剧的背景下,RTA知识产权保护强度对其成员国间出口贸易有着重要的影响。基于DESTA数据库2003—2020年间有效运行的RTA,选取有RTA关系的165个国家组成的2927组国家对作为研究对象,测度了RTA的知识产权保护强度,并构建回归模型探究RTA知识产权保护强度对出口贸易稳定性的影响。研究发现:RTA知识产权保护强度越大,越有利于提高RTA成员国间出口贸易的稳定性。此外,国家间信息流动性越强,以及进口国经济自由度越高,RTA知识产权保护对出口贸易稳定性的促进作用就越强。该效应对于不同类型国家和不同出口行业而言不一样:RTA知识产权保护对南北国家间的双边出口贸易稳定有促进作用,而对南南国家和北北国家间的促进作用不显著;对动植物及食品制造类,皮革、纺织及杂制类,电子、化工及机械制造类行业出口贸易稳定有促进作用。这些研究结论对国家间开展贸易合作,签订合理知识产权保护强度的RTA,维护长久稳定的出口贸易关系具有重要意义。

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。

药品数据专有权国际立法溯源与中国制度安排

药品上市审批对于药品安全有效性数据的专门审查要求,造就了涉及药品数据的独特知识产权保护机制。基于药品数据获取的高昂投入及其对于药品仿制与后续创新的重要价值,美欧发达国家在世界范围内率先建立了药品数据保护机制,其逐渐成为一项国际性的法律规则。无论是美欧发达国家的立法,还是相关国际法律规则,对于药品数据的知识产权保护都呈现从商业秘密模式向专有权机制转变的立法格局。产业利益驱动无疑是其中的一个重要诱因,但归根结底是源自药品数据专有权有效兼顾原研发药企经济利益与社会公众健康权益的制度优势。鉴于此,在药品数据专有权保护的国际趋势下,我国应从本土药品产业激励创新与规范仿制的基本诉求出发,以必要的内部限制与外部监管明确药品数据专有权的法律边界,并通过药品数据动态化公示平台的设置与药品数据付费使用模式的创设,建构起与药品专利制度有机衔接的数据专有权保护机制。

“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。

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。

区域贸易协定对全球价值链参与度的影响——基于区域贸易协定深度水平的视角

针对全球价值链分工日益深化与区域贸易协定(RTA)不断增加的局面,在测算全球价值链参与度的基础上,利用WTO区域贸易协定数据库的资料,参照对RTA条款深度的划分,实证检验了RTA对经济体全球价值链参与度的影响。整体上,RTA对经济体的全球价值链参与度具有显著促进作用,但不同深度水平的RTA影响效应有所差别。其中,“WTO+”比“WTO-X”条款对经济体价值链参与度的影响更大,且RTA对发展中经济体价值链地位提升的影响大于发达经济体。地理距离、区域竞争在RTA对经济体价值链参与度影响中发挥着一定的调节作用。地理距离越近,RTA对价值链分工参与度的影响越大;RTA达成得越早,越有利于发挥RTA建立的竞争优势,保护本经济体在其他经济体的市场地位。机制检验表明,RTA可通过降低关税壁垒和促进对外投资推动经济体价值链地位的提升。

RCEP背景下我国纺织产业高质量发展路径探析

分析了RCEP给我国纺织产业在开拓出口市场、加快海外产业链布局等方面带来的机遇,以及我国纺织产业在更加激烈的国际竞争中所面临的挑战。认为在RCEP背景下,我国纺织产业应当通过研判协定规则、聚力创新研发、树立法律意识、强化智力支撑等措施,不断优化纺织产业链合理布局、加快转型升级步伐、提升纺织产品国际竞争力,同时,也应当加强投资及外贸风险防范,进一步加速我国纺织产业对外开放的步伐。

中国区域数字贸易规则深度测算、特征与发展方案

明确中国区域数字规则深度并推动中国区域数字贸易规则深度提升,对于促进中国数字贸易发展具有重要的作用和意义。本文在梳理中国区域数字贸易规则发展阶段的基础上,基于TAPED数据库对中国已签署的16个(含升级)包含数字贸易规则的区域贸易协定作为样本进行了深度测算,总结发现中国区域数字贸易规则具有深度不断加深、广度不断拓展、贸易促进条款是重点内容、与国际高标准数字贸易规则仍有一定差距的特征。最后本文从加深中国已签订RTAs数字贸易规则深度、打造符合中国国情的数字贸易规则“中式模板”、加快对接国际高标准数字贸易协定、构建适应国际数字贸易发展需求的国内法律体系四个方面提出了中国发展方案。