europe.chinadaily.com.cn
China, Japan, South Korea Urged to Finalize Trilateral FTA to Counter US Protectionism
The urgent need for a China-Japan-ROK FTA is driven by US protectionism and aims to boost economic growth, stabilize regional supply chains, and upgrade the RCEP through increased services trade and digital cooperation, leveraging the combined $24.64 trillion economy of the three nations.
- What are the immediate economic benefits and geopolitical implications of a finalized China-Japan-ROK free trade agreement?
- China, Japan, and South Korea face shared economic challenges, necessitating a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to boost their development and invigorate regional and global economies. The failure of US-led globalization and rise of protectionism highlight the urgency of this FTA.
- How would a trilateral FTA between China, Japan, and South Korea address the challenges posed by US trade protectionism and contribute to regional stability?
- The proposed China-Japan-ROK FTA aims to counter US protectionism and unilateralism, which violate WTO principles and risk global economic fragmentation. This FTA is crucial for maintaining regional stability and supply chains, and it would build upon the existing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
- What are the long-term implications of this FTA for the RCEP and the global economic order, particularly concerning services trade and digital economy regulations?
- Focusing on services trade, the FTA will leverage the three countries' complementarities in digital sectors and establish mechanisms for cross-border data flows and mutual recognition of standards. Success depends on resolving differences on services trade and creating high-level rules, boosting RCEP's upgrade to version 2.0 and forming a unified large market.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative strongly favors the perspective that a China-Japan-ROK FTA is essential and beneficial. The headline (not provided, but implied by the text) and introductory paragraphs emphasize the urgency and necessity of the agreement, using strong language like "imperative" and framing the alternative as "standing still means falling behind." The failure of the China-EU FTA is presented as a cautionary tale to support the argument for the trilateral FTA. This framing could sway readers towards a positive view of the FTA without fully considering potential downsides.
Language Bias
The author uses strong, positive language to describe the potential benefits of the FTA, and uses negative and alarming language to describe the alternative scenarios. For example, describing the alternative to a China-EU FTA as "a withered flower of yesterday" is evocative and emotionally charged. Similarly, describing the US approach as "bilateral negotiations with unilateral pressure" which will "push the global economy toward the law of the jungle" is highly charged language. More neutral alternatives would be to objectively present the potential benefits and risks of the FTA without using such strong emotional language.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the benefits of a China-Japan-ROK FTA and the negative consequences of not having one, but it omits discussion of potential drawbacks or challenges to implementing such an agreement. It doesn't address potential negative impacts on specific industries or sectors within the three countries, nor does it explore alternative strategies for economic cooperation. The omission of counterarguments weakens the overall analysis.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between the proposed trilateral FTA and a future characterized by economic fragmentation and the 'law of the jungle'. It implies that the FTA is the only viable option to avoid these negative outcomes, neglecting other potential strategies for regional economic cooperation or adaptation to a changing global landscape.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article emphasizes that a trilateral FTA among China, Japan, and South Korea will significantly boost economic development and create new growth opportunities in the region and globally. The agreement would lead to increased trade, investment, and job creation, directly contributing to decent work and economic growth in all three countries. The focus on trade in services, digital economy, and regional economic integration further strengthens this connection, fostering innovation and higher-value employment.