Kopi Time E070: Prof Razeen Sally on the economics and geopolitics of trade deals

Razeen Sally, Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, joins Kopi Time to discuss trends in regional and global trade. We begin with the latest on RCEP and CP-TPP, with emphasis on the key gainers, the gaps in the agreements, role of China and the US, and the potential impact on the region. Prof Sally points out that CP-TPP is a true 21st century deal, covering critical topics such as data, intellectual property, and services, but its outlook is hazy with the US political environment not being conducive to trade deals. In contrast, RCEP may have less teeth, but it is more likely to be implemented. We then move on to the geopolitical and internal considerations for the US and China on matters of free trade and open markets. We discuss new mercantilism, Singapore’s role as a global city in the years of geopolitical struggle ahead, and the various associated scenarios. Plenty of food for thought. 

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