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12101. The Impact of Unilateral Trade Policy on International Trade Structure

Author:
Moonhee Cho
Publication Date:
09-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
Uncertainty grows with the diffusion of unilateral trade policies. In particular, the average value of the World Uncertainty Index increased by four to fivefold compared to 1990. Recently, unilateral trade policies are spreading internationally. Non-tariff measures including anti-dumping, countervailing measures, SPS and TBT are increasing. Moreover, both developing and developed countries are adopting trade-disruptive measures and these are rapidly increasing. This report analyzes the widespread diffusion of unilateral trade policies and changes in trade structures.
Topic:
International Trade and Finance, Trade Policy, and Unilateralism
Political Geography:
Global Focus

12102. Merger Review Regimes in the ASEAN Region and Case Analysis of Grab-Uber Merger

Author:
Yungshin Jang and Gu Sang Kang
Publication Date:
09-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
In 2018, the largest yet cross-border M&A deal between digital platforms in Southeast Asia was reached, namely the Grab-Uber M&A case. The local digital platform Grab consolidated the regional operations of San Francisco, California-based Uber, a development which had significant effects on competition and consumer welfares in the Southeast Asia digital market. The competition authorities in the region independently initiated their investigation and started to deliberate the merger case to determine the anti-competitive effects on their domestic market, and to decide whether this transaction should be restricted or approved. Even though the two merging and merged firms completed their transactions, each authority applied different logic and imposed different remedies in deciding the case. Authorities in some member states such as Singapore and the Philippines decided that the Grab-Uber merger was anti-competitive, while others such as Indonesia and Viet Nam considered the merger not anti-competitive. Upon this backdrop, this article reviews the competition policies and laws of four major ASEAN countries – Indonesia, Singapore, Viet Nam, and the Philippines – from institutional and legal perspectives, focusing on M&A review regimes. Then, we briefly introduce how these com-petition authorities decided on the Grab-Uber merger case, also analyzing the competition effects of the case on the ride-hailing market in the countries. Based on the analysis results, we propose overseas competition policies for Korea.
Topic:
Markets, Economy, Business, ASEAN, Economic Competition, and Mergers and Acquisitions
Political Geography:
Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, and Singapore

12103. Korea’s Strategy on Trade Agreements with Developing Countries in Africa and the Pacific Regions

Author:
Meeryung La
Publication Date:
09-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
As the US-China trade conflict intensifies, high dependence on US and China has been pointed out as a potential risk to the Korean economy. This calls for trade policies including diversification of trading partners and the establishment of a new model for trade agreements suitable to such diversified partners. Meanwhile, the necessity for such policies grows as protectionism spreads globally and trade order changes after the Covid-19 pandemic. Africa and the Pacific (AP) regions, the main areas of interest in this report, have been excluded from Korea’s FTA network despite their high growth potential and strategic significance. Most countries in the AP regions are geographically distant from Korea and mostly underdeveloped, so we have approached the region only in terms of development cooperation. Currently, trade agreements and systems for trade and investment with AP countries are insufficient, and the size of economic cooperation with these countries remains small. However, Africa has high market potential, owing to various factors such as its high population growth, middle-class growth, and transition to digital economy, while the Pacific island countries have abundant fisheries and marine resources, and wield voting power in international organizations. In this regard, it is necessary to build the foundation for cooperation with AP countries in the mid-to-long term. Against this backdrop, this study seeks mid- to long-term strategies to promote trade cooperation with AP countries. First we consider introducing and expanding nonreciprocal arrangements for developing countries in the AP regions, as currently provided to United Nations-defined least developed countries. Then we consider introducing a reciprocal trade agreement, for example, an FTA. As a result, we found that it is necessary to introduce an FTA model suitable for developing countries in the AP regions instead of introducing further nonreciprocal agreements. Based on the results of the study, this paper proposes strategic directions for trade cooperation with the AP regions, and furthermore, provides policy suggestions that should be included in the agreement with those countries.
Topic:
Markets, Treaties and Agreements, Partnerships, Digital Economy, Economy, and Trade
Political Geography:
Africa, Asia, South Korea, and Asia-Pacific

12104. Reshoring: An Overview, Recent Trends, and Predictions for the Future

Author:
Jennifer Dikler
Publication Date:
08-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
With the rise of globalization beginning in the 20th century, came the inevitable rise of offshoring — companies moving at least some parts of their operations abroad in order to cut costs and increase profits. In recent years, however, international developments, such as the rise of wages in what were typically considered low-cost countries, coupled with uncertainties created through global political tensions, have incentivized companies to move their operations back to their respective home countries or to make new investments in United States-based facilities. This phenomenon, known as reshoring, has only increased in 2020 and 2021, amidst US - China tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Reshoring is growing in popularity particularly among companies based in the United States. In May 2021, for example, a US solar energy systems manufacturer called GAF Energy announced that the company would relocate its operations from Asia to Silicon Valley, expecting to add 400 jobs in research, engineering, and manufacturing roles (Szal, 2021). Around the same time, cycle and treadmill machine maker Peloton announced that it would invest $400 million to build its first US-based factory, citing heightened demand and the pandemic highlighting uncertainties that come with its global supply chain (Thomas, 2021). The company, which has announced that the US factory will be based in Troy Township, Ohio, stated that it expects to create over 2,000 jobs in the area. Also, in May 2021, Ford Motor announced a joint venture with South Korean battery maker SK Innovation to manufacture battery cells for electric vehicles in the United States (Wayland, 2021). The venture will be based in the US, marking a significant decision for Ford Motor, which operates worldwide and has notably been in the press in recent years for its decisions to offshore operations. Though an increasingly important and growing phenomenon, reshoring has not been studied nearly as much as offshoring. Experts predict that reshoring will only continue to increase as global supply chain uncertainties get revealed through political tensions and fallout from the pandemic. As companies gain a deeper understanding of the vulnerabilities in offshoring their production, they will become more incentivized to invest in their home country-based facilities. As such, it is more important than ever to understand reshoring, the reasons behind why companies decide to reshore, the recent trends among companies moving operations back home, and predictions about how reshoring is likely to evolve in years to come. This paper offers an overview of the aforementioned points, specifically focusing on companies based in the US, which are some of the more likely companies to make the decision to offshore and subsequently reshore.
Topic:
Economy, Industry, Supply Chains, and Reshoring
Political Geography:
South Korea and United States of America

12105. Changes in the Regional Structure of China's Domestic Market and Implications

Author:
Jihyun Jung, Won Seok Choi, Hong Won Kim, and Joohye Kim
Publication Date:
08-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
In response to intensifying conflict with the United States and the shock of Covid-19, China reinforced its strategy to expand domestic demand. China's domestic market is an important factor affecting Korea's exports and economic growth. Accordingly, a large body of research has been conducted in Korea on China's expansion policy and changes in its domestic market. However, most studies have analyzed changes in China's consumer market, import market and imported items, limiting the overall understanding of China's domestic economy. In addition, most studies on China's regional domestic market have analyzed the market segmented by region. Recognizing this gap, this study expanded the scope of analysis of the domestic market in China to the entire domestic final demand, and analyzed inter-regional trade relations and other economic relations based on an inter-regional input-output analysis, which has rarely been attempted in analyses of the Chinese domestic market. In addition, the changes in the regional structure of the Chinese import market and Korea's competitiveness were analyzed using Chinese trade statistics. In particular, by synthesizing the changes after the global financial crisis, a turning point in China's economic structure, we project future changes in the regional economic structure of China, which emphasizes the independence of its domestic economy. In addition, in the era of US-China conflict, the study aimed to select regional markets meaningful to Korea, and to present strategic directions toward China focusing on regional cooperation and approaches into the domestic market.
Topic:
Markets, Economy, Regional Economy, and Domestic Market
Political Geography:
China, Asia, and South Korea

12106. The Impact of Intellectual Property Protection through FTA on International Trade

Author:
Hyunsoo Kim, Sangjun Yea, Hyeyoon Keum, and Min Ji Kang
Publication Date:
08-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
The importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs) for innovation has grown and the protection of intellectual property in international trade has also been strengthened. AI-related patent applications have been increasing rapidly and many AI patents are being filed in various industries. Intellectual property also represents one of the main controversies of U.S.-China trade relations in the past three decades and remains one of the core issues behind the two countries’ recent trade conflicts. As a result, global protection for IPRs has been expanded in recent decades. This article investigates changes in the trend regarding the IP protection level in FTA and how the IP protection through FTAs has affected the composition of aggregate trade flows of member countries in order to provide basic findings necessary to formulate the FTA policies regarding the protection of IPRs in Korea.
Topic:
International Trade and Finance, Intellectual Property/Copyright, Economy, and Artificial Intelligence
Political Geography:
China, South Korea, and United States of America

12107. Digital Platform Markets of ASEAN and India: Implications for Cooperation with Korea

Author:
Jeong Gon Kim, Seung Kwon Na, Jaeho Lee, ChiHyun Yun, and Eunmi Kim
Publication Date:
06-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
The growth of digital platform markets in ASEAN and India is prominent. With COVID-19, demands for economic and social activities centered on digital platforms are expected to rise further; especially five sectors (e-commerce, sharing economy, education, healthcare and fintech) are fast growing seectors. Korean is a potential partner of ASEAN countries and India. Korea's Digital New Deal policy now stresses tasks such as sharing and utilizing data, convergence of 5G and artificial intelligence across whole industries, spreading digital education, digital healthcare, etc., which are closely related to the economic and social needs of ASEAN countries and India. In order to promote regulatory harmonization and cooperation with ASEAN and India, it is necessary for Korea to promote digital economy and trade agreements.
Topic:
Treaties and Agreements, Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence, ASEAN, COVID-19, 5G, and Regional Economy
Political Geography:
India, Asia, and South Korea

12108. Digitalization in Asia-Pacific Region: Ready for Growth, but Ready for Inclusion?

Author:
Yungshin Jang
Publication Date:
06-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has been promoting digital transformation as a key mean for regional economic growth and economic integration. The digitalization agenda within APEC is further accelerating since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in November 2020, the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 was adopted, which includes “Innovation and Digitalization” addressing inclusive economic participation through digital economy and technology as a focus area for the next 20 years. However, it is still difficult to expect visible outcomes in the field of digital inclusion within APEC. Upon this backdrop, this article examines the progress of digitalization in the Asia-Pacific region, compares and analyzes the digital transformation policies of major economies in the region, demonstrates the effect of the digital gap on economic performance in the region, and goes on to produce policy implications.
Topic:
Economic Growth, COVID-19, Digitalization, and APEC
Political Geography:
Asia-Pacific

12109. The Indian Startup Ecosystem and Policy Implications

Author:
Hyoungmin Han, Jeong Gon Kim, Sunghee Lee, and Jonghun Pek
Publication Date:
06-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
A startup refers to a company with ideas and innovative technologies, which have a short period of experience. Recently, startups are leading the fourth industrial technological innovation and affecting job creation and industrial productivity growth, so that its economic importance is increasing. In particular, India is emerging as a startup powerhouse based on its fast-growing economy and relatively cost-efficient excellent talent pool. Also, global investment towards the Indian startup market is increasing. While the number of Korean companies entering the Indian startup market is increasing, only a few have made stable inroads into the market. Based on quantitative data, literature analysis, corporate case analysis, surveys, and in-depth interviews, we objectively identified the Indian startup ecosystem and drew policy implications to increase the accessibility of Korean firms to the Indian market.
Topic:
Science and Technology, Investment, Innovation, Industry, Job Creation, and Startup
Political Geography:
South Asia, India, and South Korea

12110. The Crisis of the WTO and New Direction for Negotiation Strategies of Korea

Author:
Jin Kyo Suh, Cheon-Kee Lee, Jukwan Lee, Ji Hyeon Kim, and Myeonghwa Jung
Publication Date:
06-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)
Abstract:
The WTO is facing a historical crisis. Its main functions ‒ namely, providing a negotiating forum, administrating WTO trade agreements and monitoring national trade policies, and resolving trade disputes ‒ have been significantly paralyzed. Although the cause of the crisis is partly institutional, higher uncertainty is also a considerable problem aggravating the fate of the multilateral trading system. Such uncertainty comes from two factors: rising protectionism, and trade frictions between developed and developing countries including those between the United States and China. Meanwhile, the WTO also needs to respond to rapid structural changes in global trade. The center of the world’s trade is shifting towards trade in services. The development and spread of information and communication technology (ICT) are making it easier to supply services across borders. The regionalization or localization of global value chains (GVCs) continues and GVCs are shifting towards knowledge-based goods. Therefore, the WTO faces a historical challenge it is highly unlikely to survive without proper reflection on the new trends of global trade. With Korea no longer claiming for preferential treatments as a developing country, it could take relatively firm negotiating positions at the WTO concerning market expansion and improved access towards foreign markets. Moreover, Korea could contribute as a mediator to speak for balancing the interests of both developed and developing countries on conflicting issues, such as the developing country status. Korea also needs to establish a more precise give-and-take negotiation strategy in future WTO negotiations on agriculture, non-agriculture, and service sectors to maximize its national interests. In particular, Korea should put stress on services and TRIPs negotiations to ensure its international competitiveness on those sectors. Trade in services and IP will dominate trade in goods. Korea also should focus on how to raise the efficiency and stability of the East-Asian regional value chains by strengthening its co-operation with China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. At the same time, Korea needs to consider ways to become the bridgehead connecting East Asia’s value chains to either North America’s value chains or the EU’s value chains utilizing given FTAs with those economies. Finally, Korea should prepare for the emergence of various forms of plurilateral negotiations and where appropriate, take lead and reflect its national interests on the final outcome.
Topic:
Development, International Trade and Finance, Negotiation, Trade Policy, and WTO
Political Geography:
South Korea