Transformations in Global Economic Governance: Integration via Free Trade Agreements

Lead Research Organisation: Bournemouth University
Department Name: Faculty of Management

Abstract

The seminar series aims to generate new research, create networks, foster capacity building and user engagement by providing an interdisciplinary forum for debate and discussion on: (a) the regulatory, economic and social aspects of regional integration through FTAs; (b) what FTAs bring to partner countries; and (c) the current state of play in FTA activity in the EU, USA and Asia. By providing a wide geographical spread of seminars that focus on specific themes of regional trading agreements, its effects and the move towards a common regulatory framework, we propose to engage with academics, early career and established researchers from all over the world to create new research networks and build on existing works as well as engage with and bring together stakeholders, i.e. policy makers, small and medium sized businesses and civil society groups, that have an interest in FTAs being negotiated in and by Asia, EU and America.

Broadly the seminar series focuses on: first, understanding the rationales behind FTAs and how the EU, USA and Asian FTAs interact with one another; second, how FTAs under negotiation could affect the policy choices of governments and business environments around the globe; and third, gaining a comprehensive overview of how the move to common regulatory systems under bilateral FTAs are likely to determine future rules of global trade governance.

Seminar 1 highlights the general trends in FTAs. Main issues for discussion include: rationale for growing FTAs, and the recent developments that provide momentum for countries to negotiate FTAs. How are the EU and USA driving FTA negotiations in Asia? What are the economic and social impacts of FTAs? Is the internal and external environment important in setting trade policy agenda? Are the dynamics of negotiations driven by constructivist or neo-realist framework of international relations? (Seminar venue: Keele)

Seminar 2 looks at the EU's rationale for negotiating FTAs with Asia and USA. This includes a discussion on social, economic, political, geo-political and political economy aspects of FTAs, and how trading agreements are an integral part of 'Global Europe' strategy and foreign policy. (Seminar venue: London)

Seminar 3 offers a comprehensive analysis of Asian FTAs, its rationale, and comments on factors that drive FTA negotiations in the region. This sheds light on the growing inter-linkages between Asian and European global production networks, and comments why India unlike (China and ASEAN) has not been able to benefit from regional value chains. It also addresses the questions as to how can Indian firms integrate into FTA production chain activity? (Seminar venue: New Delhi)

Seminar 4 looks at the state of play of ongoing bilateral FTA talks between EU and USA. The seminars takes stock of the current state of negotiations and comments on contentious issues that have emerged in ongoing talks. This also examines how and why the Transatlantic Partnership is driven by aim of eventual regulatory convergence between the trading partners. (Seminar venue: Bath)

Seminar 5 evaluates EU and US FTAs including those with Asian countries, commenting on areas of differences/commonalities in FTAs negotiated and the general move towards regulatory convergence/divergence. This provides a comprehensive, comparative and systematic research on the scope and enforceability of regulatory norms negotiated under FTAs. The seminar also highlights the importance of labour and social standards within FTAs and the relevance of addressing these issues within the context of global trade governance. (Seminar venue: Brussels)

Seminar 6 examine the emerging dynamics of FTAs, debates whether such agreements can be a stepping stone to future multilateral liberalisation or whether this could lead to fragmentation in world trade. It also comments on what role the EU and USA play as global actors in shaping a functioning multilateral order. (Seminar venue: London)

Planned Impact

The seminar series and outputs will benefit three distinct groups of stakeholders:
1. Policy-makers, particularly EU trade negotiators and policy-makers, as well as EU Member States' policy-makers
2. Civil society groups and think tanks
3. European business community, especially SMEs and European Business Associations

Policy-makers will be able to refine future policies and negotiating strategies on the basis of the knowledge generated throughout the seminar series, with an emphasis on the understudied business and social consequences of economic integration through FTAs.

Civil society groups, including environmental groups, trade unions, NGOs, community groups, consumer groups will have access to the same information as policy-makers regarding the benefits and pitfalls of economic integration, thus broadening their perspectives on these matters and enabling them to enhance their engagement in the policy-making process. Further, the findings will feed into think tanks work on FTAs.

Businesses, especially SMEs, are the stated targets of economic integration policies. However, they often lack the knowledge and resources to follow developments in FTAs and take advantage of new market access and trade facilitation measures that have been negotiated by policy-makers. Thus, the seminar series will transfer up-to-date information on FTAs and business practices to SMEs.

After each seminar, a brief indicating the main discussions and their conclusions will be prepared by the PI and CO-I, and published on the project website. Participants will be asked to facilitate updated bibliography on register their projects (if any) on the project website so that resources are readily available to the policy makers, practitioners, academics, and the general public.

The list below provides an overview of some government and non-government organisations which have been identified as having a potential interest in the findings of this seminar series as well as in the (further) activities generated in and by the website:
Government agencies: Department of Trade and Investment; European Commission Trade directorate, trade negotiators of USA, EU and Asian countries.
Institutions: European Commission DG Trade, European Parliament International Trade Committee, ECIPE, Temasek Foundation Centre for Trade & Negotiations. Centre for Sciences Humaines in New Delhi, which is a French government institution for research, has expressed a keen interest in the seminar series and has offered to provide local assistance in hosting the seminar in New Delhi (in June 2015). This highlights the significance of our seminar series for businesses and the wider academic community in Asia.
NGOs: OXFAM (UK); FRIDE (Belgium); CUTS (India); Medecins sans Frontiers (France); WIDE-Network (Netherlands).
Business Associations: Confederation of British Industries; Business Europe; EuroChambres; AmCham; European Services Association; Asian Business Federations.
 
Description I was invited to speak at specialist and no specialist audiences. I have also advise DIT on trade issues, and this is ongoing.
Exploitation Route The findings have been of immense use to policy makers.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy

Financial Services

and Management Consultancy

Government

Democracy and Justice

 
Description UPDATE AS OF FED 2022: I have been advising the Department for International Trade on FTA negotiations with Australia (complete) and India (ongoing) and FCDO on trade and development issues. More formal arrangements on this continuing relationship is currently being explored between Bournemouth University and DIT. I have provided evidence to UK Parliament committees on FTA issues. i am also an invited member of TaPP network, this is founded to advise on trade policy issues by Oxford University. UPDATE AS OF 2021: Currently i am advising DIT on trade issues. I have also provided evidence on trade agreements to Parliamentary Select Committees in 2020. UPDATE as of 7 March 2018: The PI has since been contacted by the Department for International Trade and DFID to provide insights into the issue of trade arrangements between the EU and UK. My outputs, as part of this grant, have been sent to the department. I am also on Trade and Development Expert Advisory Group constituted by DFID. NOTE SUBMITTED IN 2017: Following the plan detailed in the pathways to impact section of the proposal, concerted efforts have been made to publicise events and findings from the discussions to a broad audience in order to promote incorporation of ideas and findings in policy-making and academic thinking. The findings will be put to use by four distinct groups of stakeholders: 1. Policy-makers, particularly EU trade negotiators and policy-makers 2. Post graduate students and academic community 3. CSOs, NGOs and think tanks 4. Business community, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The findings of the seminar series will be of use to policy makers who will be able to refine future policies and negotiating strategies on the basis of the knowledge generated throughout project deliberations, with an emphasis on the understudied business and social consequences and rationale for FTAs, and in 'new' areas of trade and economic integration. European Commission and Commonwealth secretariat officials have been involved through their active participation in the project workshops. The last event (London, March 2017) attracted government officials from DFID, FCO, DIT. It is thus, evident from the participation of policy makers that the seminar series has been of use to them. As a follow on from the last workshop in London (Feb 2017), the Department for International Trade has contacted the PI to discuss about modelling techniques that can be applied for analysing trade agreements with the EU and other emerging economies by the UK in post Brexit scenario. We cannot report on the findings yet as the meeting is scheduled for 22 March 2017 in London. The seminars focus on building research capacity among PGR students and generating new research ideas from an interdisciplinary perspective, as well as disseminating new advances. Focusing on extending skills and novel modelling advances, for all, and in particular for the benefit of early career researchers special training sessions were held for PG researchers in all seminars. Further, participation of PGR students was promoted and feedback provided to all PGR participants on their work. The academic community will benefit from: (a) research in the cross-cutting areas of FTAs that will lead to cross fertilisation of ideas between different disciplines; (b) the networking with other academics working in related field and develop research cooperation. Thus, new knowledge will be added to the domain of existing knowledge in economics, political economy and legal fields. Finally, the contract with Edward Elgar to publish a collection of academic papers in an edited volume entitled "Handbook on the EU and International Trade", will serve to disseminate outcomes of discussions and workshops to a broader academic and policy community in the EU and beyond, impacting future research agendas. Think tanks have also been involved in the seminar series. Examples include in India (ICRIER, Centre for Sciences and Humanities - a think tank of the French government); ODI, Ramphal Institute and National Institute of Economic and Social Research (London), ECIPE, ECDPM, German Marshall Fund (Brussels). The business community has also been involved in the UK and overseas. For example, Roundtables with business associations was held in London (Feb 2017). These featured speakers from the London Chambers of Commerce, Dorset Growth Hub, and the All-Party Group on Trade in Parliament. The SME association participated in the workshop held in New Delhi, India.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice,Other
Impact Types Societal

Economic

Policy & public services

 
Description Commissioned Public engagement and dissemination by PI-CoI
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://theglobalobservatory.org/2017/03/brexit-article-50-trade-development-refugees-migration/
 
Description Evidence to the Scottish Parliament: UK Trade Bill
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Finance/Meeting%20Papers/Khorana_Written_Evidence.pdf
 
Description Invitation to give evidence to Welsh Assembly on trade agreements and their roll-over
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL http://record.assembly.wales/Committee/5276
 
Description Meeting with Department for International Trade
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Public engagement
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL http://ukandeu.ac.uk/priorities-for-brexit-negotiations-reflect-depth-of-single-market/
 
Description GW4 (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter) Collaboration Initiator Fund
Amount £5,000 (GBP)
Organisation GW4 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2018 
End 04/2018
 
Description GW4 Communities Accelerator
Amount £34,000 (GBP)
Organisation GW4 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2019 
End 11/2019
 
Description 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy' 
Organisation University of Bath
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We (Co I and PI) in partnership with University of Ghent developed the idea to co-edit a book entitled 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy', for which we contacted Edward Elgar publishers.
Collaborator Contribution The co-edited book draws on expertise of various workshop participants, and will be published in 2017.
Impact The 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy' includes a holistic vision of trade policy from a political, economic and legal perspective, taking advantage of the multidisciplinary character of the network and workshops. It also focuses on some areas that have been highlighted in discussions as problematic in current research: the effect of Lisbon Treaty changes in the internal politics and implantation of EU trade policy; and the effect of the financial crisis and changes in global economic power dynamics on the way third parties interact with the European Union's trade negotiators.
Start Year 2015
 
Description 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy' 
Organisation University of Ghent
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We (Co I and PI) in partnership with University of Ghent developed the idea to co-edit a book entitled 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy', for which we contacted Edward Elgar publishers.
Collaborator Contribution The co-edited book draws on expertise of various workshop participants, and will be published in 2017.
Impact The 'Handbook on European Union Trade Policy' includes a holistic vision of trade policy from a political, economic and legal perspective, taking advantage of the multidisciplinary character of the network and workshops. It also focuses on some areas that have been highlighted in discussions as problematic in current research: the effect of Lisbon Treaty changes in the internal politics and implantation of EU trade policy; and the effect of the financial crisis and changes in global economic power dynamics on the way third parties interact with the European Union's trade negotiators.
Start Year 2015
 
Description EU-Latin America Trade Agreements 
Organisation Birmingham City University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution CI and Arantza Gomez-Arana, GIFTA network member, have put together a successful book proposal for Manchester University Press, which they will jointly edit, in which a number of network members will contribute chapters. The book will be submitted to the publisher at the start of 2019, and it will examine how the competitive dynamics of mega-regional trade agreements (TTIP, TPP) under the Obama Administration, shaped the relationships and the negotiations of free trade agreements between the European Union and Latin American countries. It will also focus on the initial implementation of these agreements and the domestic changes they have provoked. In an era of proliferating trade agreements and negotiations the book will shed new insights on EU trade policy, trade negotiation tactics, and crucially on the effects of trade agreements on middle income and developing economies, which will be of interest to policy-makers globally, and especially in developing and middle income countries.
Collaborator Contribution CI and Arantza Gomez-Arana, GIFTA network member, have put together a successful book proposal for Manchester University Press, which they will jointly edit, in which a number of network members will contribute chapters. The book will be submitted to the publisher at the start of 2019, and it will examine how the competitive dynamics of mega-regional trade agreements (TTIP, TPP) under the Obama Administration, shaped the relationships and the negotiations of free trade agreements between the European Union and Latin American countries. It will also focus on the initial implementation of these agreements and the domestic changes they have provoked. In an era of proliferating trade agreements and negotiations the book will shed new insights on EU trade policy, trade negotiation tactics, and crucially on the effects of trade agreements on middle income and developing economies, which will be of interest to policy-makers globally, and especially in developing and middle income countries.
Impact Outcome will be an edited volume with Manchester University Press (2019)
Start Year 2017
 
Description Khorana, S. (ed.) (2015) The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Negotiations between the EU and the USA: Caught between myth and reality? 
Organisation Barcelona Centre for International Affairs
Country Spain 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The PI edited this book on ongoing EU-US Trade talks. This follows on from an event hosted by CIDOB to discuss about TTIP agreement.
Collaborator Contribution The session opened with a key-note speech from Mr. Shaun Donnelly, Vice President of Investment and Financial Services of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB). Mr. Donnelly expressed the point of view of the US. He remarked that there is need to negotiate a high standard agreement without leaving anything outside the table or the effort is not worth it. In his opinion, the TTIP is still in the early stages of the negotiation and they are being difficult because both the US and the EU are used to be in charge. He also highlighted that the reason of the agreement is growth and jobs but it is not politically viable for Europe to demand European standards in all the issues although he affirmed that the TTIP is not about lowering standards. He also defended the need to have arbitration for protecting investments and gave the arguments that normally governments win; and that letting national justice to settle disputes between governments and investors would be the same as having a football match between two countries and have a referee of any of the two countries; normally the referee is from a third country to have neutrality. Finally, Mr. Donnelly defended that small and medium size companies will benefit more from the agreement than big companies; and that TTIP will allow the EU and the US to set global standards in the 21st Century. After the key-note speech, the first panel was about the main novelties of the TTIP. The panel was moderated by Xavier Mas de Xaxàs, journalist from La Vanguardia. The first intervention was in charge of Álvaro Schweinfurth, CEOE's Deputy Director of the Foreign Policy and Multilateral Relations Department. He discussed the impact of the TTIP on competitiveness and innovation arguing that the agreement could be both: an adrenalin boost for jobs and growth in countries, like Spain for instance, where that is much needed; and an opportunity to cooperate for future technology. Then followed Professor Christian Teitje from Halle University on the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), which is the most controversial aspect of the TTIP. He touched on issues identified under the TTIP: the protection of the right to regulate; the establishment and functioning of arbitral tribunals; the relationship between domestic judicial systems and ISDS; and the review of ISDS decisions through an appellate mechanism. Dr. Richard Craven from Northumbria University was the next panelist. He touched the issue of public procurement highlighting that the EU and the US have incredibly complex systems underpinned by different objectives and limited openness; leaving the possibility for the TTIP to go beyond the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) in terms of scope and coverage. Similarly, Gregory Voss from the Toulouse Business School talked about furthering the Digital European Agenda in public procurement. He argued that the TTIP could mean the creation of an e-procurement platform to deal with issues like security, privacy and confidentiality. The last speaker of this panel was Lorand Bartels from University of Cambridge. He talked about EU's approach to social standards and TTIP. He explained that the Human Rights clause, included in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) signed by the EU, may become a problem when the other part is the US which is not a developing country. There should be solutions to sort this out with the problem for the EU to set a precedent. Next panel was moderated by Cristina Manzano, Editor-in-Chief of ESGlobal. It was opened by Lars Nilsson, Deputy Head of the Chief Economist and Trade Analysis Unit from the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission. He defended the Commission's position, answered back the critics of the lack of transparency and democracy in the elaboration of the TTIP and highlighted the benefits the TTIP will have for the EU but also for third-countries when reducing regulatory barriers. Then followed Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso from the Georg-August Universitaet Goettingen. She talked about labor provisions. The US has lower standards in labor provisions than the EU and the TTIP is an opportunity to balance labor standards on the top if this issue is included in the negotiations. Finally, Ricard Bellera, Secretary for International Affairs, Migration and Cooperation of Comisiones Obreras of Catalonia (CCOO), positioned himself against the TTIP highlighting that the EU still has to deepen in its internal market; and that EU is not cohesive enough to withstand an agreement of such characteristics, especially taken into account that countries as Spain does not invest enough in innovation as other countries in the EU do. After the end of the second panel, Dr. Sangeeta Khorana rounded up the conclusions of the intense sessions and closed the seminar.
Impact The monograph entitled "The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Negotiations between the EU and the USA: Caught between myth and reality" was published in May 2015.
Start Year 2015
 
Description The Changing Landscape of Trade and UK 
Organisation Commonwealth Secretariat
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution This is a co-edited book that examines how trade landscape is likely to change following Brexit. I am discussing the final shape of collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Trade Adviser for Secretariat is visiting the PI in Bournemouth on 20 March 2017 to finalise the book that will come from this partnership.
Collaborator Contribution The Commonwealth Secretariat is a partner, and Trade Adviser Dr Brendan Vickers is a co-editor of the book with the PI. The e-book will consist of a series of chapters that address the main issues around the UK's negotiation of free trade agreements, and how the negotiations to withdraw from the EU is likely to unfold in the context of Brexit.
Impact This is working progress and the result will be an e-book. It will be an interdisciplinary work, focussing on International Relations, Political Economy, International Trade and International Trade Law.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Interview for international news outlet 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Interviewed by Sputnik on Withdrawal Agreement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://mundo.sputniknews.com/politica/201811171083492857-soberania-plena-no-es-posible/
 
Description Interview for national news on BBC Breakfast TV 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact My views on how tariffs would impact post Brexit were sought
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00031xf/breakfast-06032019
 
Description Invited to provide evidence (written and oral) on UK's Trade Bill to Finance and Constitution Committee at the Scottish Parliament 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This was on 21 Feb 2018 - nothing to report so far.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.parliament.scot/S5_Finance/Meeting%20Papers/Public_Agenda_and_papers_21_February_2018.pdf
 
Description Member - Government Procurement Expert Advisory Group, Department for International Trade 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact I contribute regularly on trade liberalisation issues through FTAs to policy makers in DIT,
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Member - Trade and Development Expert Advisory Group, DFID 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact I have been invited to attend the first Trade and Development Expert Advisory Group as a member. This has been constituted by DIT on trade policy and developmental aims.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Negotiating Prosperity: How will the UK-EU relationship affect UK Exports? 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Business organisations have been in contact with me to explore options for a study - these are in discussion.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Network members have coordinated panels for the UACES 2018 Conference taking place in Bath, and for the IPSA World 2018 Congress taking place in Brisbane. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Potential for further research collaborations
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Radio interview on BBC5Live 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact I was asked to comment on the negotiating document released by the US on proposed US-UK trade deal. The interview figured on BC Live Feed
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-47418936/page/3