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RCEP countries aim to strike a balance on e-commerce ahead of trade deal conclusion
Negotiators of the ambitious Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) gear up for a possible agreement about provisions on e-commerce, which had become a contentious issue among negotiating parties owing to the different levels of preparedness in embracing the digital economy.
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Trade ministers of ASEAN member countries pose for photograph signing an agreement on the ASEAN Agreement on E-Commerce in Singapore on Nov. 12. (Courtesy of/The Singaporean Trade and Industry Ministry)
T
he different levels of digital trade development and readiness among the 16 countries currently negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have placed e-commerce in a list of top major issues to be finalized in the coming months.
Experts have said that balancing the interest of more advanced nations with those who prefer a more cautious approach to the rapidly evolving sector will be key to wrapping up negotiations for the trade deal by the end of this year.
“The RCEP that we are negotiating basically covers everything, and one of the chapters covers e-commerce,” Indonesia’s lead negotiator, Iman Pambagyo, told reporters on the margins of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Global Dialogue in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
“But I see a lot of ambiguity here and there because we don't have a multilateral discipline that relates to e-commerce yet.”
E-commerce emerged as a late addition to the ambitious RCEP framework, which has been under negotiation for the past seven years, with countries like Japan reportedly pushing for strong cross-border arrangements.
Iman said the proposal had initially faced strong objections from some negotiating countries, resulting in the decision to limit deliberations to transparency and cooperation. But it was only after more confidence in the sector had developed and after multiple rounds of negotiations that the discussion eventually moved toward more meaningful commitments.
“I can say that negotiations have been challenging and discussions are split between those with loftier ambitions and those who remain concerned about the future role of e-commerce in largely agriculture-based economies,” said the Trade Ministry official.
