Free Trade Agreements in Asia: Economic imperatives or footholds for external relevance?

  • María J. García National Centre Research on Europe University of Canterbury
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/ced-47-2012pp73-100
Keywords: FTAs, EU-Asia relations, trade policy, negotiations

Abstract

This paper charts the motivations behind the European Union’s free trade agreements (FTAs) in East Asia. Economists have cast doubts as to the benefits of individual FTAs between large economies and smaller ones, such as the agreements under negotiation between the EU and Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and India. This paper engages with this literature by focusing on the interplay between material interests pursued by the EU’s trade policy in Asia and the political motivations, amongst which maintaining a significant international engagement and shaping future economic governance occupy a prime role. An empirical analysis based on documentary and interview materials is subject to process tracing to further our understanding of how different interests and ideas are articulated in foreign policy.

Received: 07 March 2012
Accepted: 15 March 2012
Published online: 15 April 2016

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Published
2012-10-31
How to Cite
García, María J. 2012. “Free Trade Agreements in Asia: Economic Imperatives or Footholds for External Relevance?”. Deusto Journal of European Studies, no. 47 (October), 73-100. https://doi.org/10.18543/ced-47-2012pp73-100.
Issue
No. 47 (2012)
Section
Articles

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