Negotiating a Preferential Trading Agreement

Issues, Constraints and Practical Options

Edited by Sisira Jayasuriya, Monash University, Australia, Donald MacLaren, formerly of the Department of Economics, University of Melbourne, Australia and Gary Magee, Department of Economics, Monash University, Australia

Presenting a blend of economics and law, this book provides unique insights as well as practical guidance for negotiators considering major issues on the agendas of bilateral and regional preferential trading agreements (PTAs).

‘International trade – which is just another name for international business – involves a tightly woven bundle of cross-border “movements”. Firms that sell internationally need to move goods, services, investment, skilled personal and intellectual property across international boundaries. This reality means that today’s FTAs are about a great deal more than tariffs. This book, which focuses on the proposed China–Australia FTA, provides a wondrous overview of what a modern bilateral trade agreement has to address. Its 12 chapters, written mostly by world-renowned experts, are succinct, up-to-date and highly informative. I recommend it to anyone interested in the new wave of FTAs in Asia and beyond.’
——理查德·e·鲍德温、研究所、日内瓦、Switzerland

‘Are Preferential Trading Agreements building blocks or stumbling blocks? Most economists are skeptical of their benefits, but politicians and bureaucrats evidently like them. This timely and rich contribution to the debate, by an eminent group of economists and lawyers, assesses the issues with reference to the Australia–China negotiations. Importantly, if we are in a second-best world, the authors show clearly how to at least minimise the negative impacts of PTAs. A must-read for policy makers, practitioners, business people and academics.’
– Hal Hill, The Australian National University