Research and select an international trade agreement (you cannot select NAFTA as that treaty has been superseded by a new agreement). This means acquiring the actual language of the treaty and not some pundit’s description of the treaty. 

QUESTION

Over the past several years there has been a lot of discussion and debate in the news regarding various treaties governing international trade. For your final paper for this course you need to do the following:

1. Research and select an international trade agreement (you cannot select NAFTA as that treaty has been superseded by a new agreement). This means acquiring the actual language of the treaty and not some pundit’s description of the treaty.

2. Now, research (a) a specific industry and/or company that is directly impacted by the trade agreement you researched.

You do not have to select an American industry or company.

3. You will be writing a paper (approximately 5-7 pages) discussing the following: a. First paragraph: provide an interesting introduction into the topic of your paper. Maybe focusing on something positive or negative that will happen to the particular industry or company that you selected.  b. Next paragraph(s): provide specific information about the treaty you research. Here you should have specific citations to your sources and you are invited to use small quotes from the treaty itself. It is more effective to paraphrase the language of the treaty. Provide information regarding the history and the purpose of the treaty. c. Next paragraph(s): provide some background information about the industry/company that you researched including HOW it is impacted by the treaty’s provisions (can be either positively or negatively).

d. Next discuss any issues that arise that are specifically driven by cultural nuances of the countries that are involved (i.e., are there environmental issues, ethical issues, employment issues, political issues).  e. Last, this is the part where your opinion may be injected. The above sections should be written OBJECTIVELY – meaning, you really shouldn’t be editorializing, you should be providing factual information that is all supported by citations.

Your opinion here is:

(i) do you think this treaty has been effective in achieving its purpose

(ii) do you have a suggestion for how this treaty can be improv

(iii) are there specific unintended problems that this treaty has created

(iv) is this a treaty that should continue to be followed by the industries/companies/countries that are currently effected.  4. Your paper should be grammatically correct and should have a title. Do not forget to put your name at the top of the paper. Use 1” margins, 1.5 spaced text, and size 12-point font and remember to consider the readability of your paper (that means it’s appearance as well as it’s content). Again, it should be between 5- 7 pages and should be appropriately sourced (use MLA format for your sources). Use footnotes for your citations as well as a Works cited page that does NOT count towards your 5-7 pages.

ANSWER

The Impact and Effectiveness of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the Automotive Industry

Introduction: The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a landmark international trade agreement that has garnered significant attention in recent years. This paper focuses on the impact of the CPTPP on the automotive industry, examining how the provisions of the treaty have influenced the industry’s global dynamics. The paper delves into the history, purpose, and specific provisions of the CPTPP, analyzes its effects on the automotive industry, and explores the cultural, environmental, ethical, employment, and political issues associated with the treaty. Finally, the paper offers an opinion on the treaty’s effectiveness, suggestions for improvement, unintended problems, and whether it should be continued by the relevant industries, companies, and countries.

CPTPP: History, Purpose, and Provisions: The CPTPP, signed in 2018, is a free trade agreement between 11 countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and others. The treaty aims to reduce barriers to trade and investment, enhance economic integration, and establish comprehensive rules for the participating countries. By providing a framework for trade liberalization, the CPTPP eliminates or reduces tariffs, harmonizes regulatory standards, protects intellectual property rights, and addresses non-tariff barriers. These provisions create a conducive environment for increased trade and investment activities.

Impact of the CPTPP on the Automotive Industry: The automotive industry is one of the most prominent sectors impacted by the CPTPP. The reduction of tariffs and trade barriers has facilitated increased market access and export opportunities for automotive manufacturers within the member countries. As a result, automotive companies have expanded their global footprint, enabling them to tap into new markets and diversify their production bases. Additionally, the harmonization of regulatory standards has enhanced the compatibility and interoperability of automotive products, streamlining cross-border trade.

Cultural, Environmental, Ethical, Employment, and Political Issues: The implementation of the CPTPP has given rise to various cultural, environmental, ethical, employment, and political issues within the automotive industry. One such issue is the impact on domestic employment, as the increased competition and market access may lead to job displacement in certain countries. Moreover, the treaty’s provisions related to environmental standards and labor rights have raised concerns regarding sustainability, fair labor practices, and the protection of workers’ rights. These issues highlight the need for effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and address potential challenges.

Opinion on the CPTPP’s Effectiveness and Suggestions for Improvement: (i) The CPTPP has been effective in achieving its purpose of reducing trade barriers, promoting economic integration, and expanding market access for participating countries. The treaty has facilitated increased trade and investment flows, benefiting industries such as automotive. However, further analysis and empirical evidence are required to measure the full extent of its impact.

(ii) To improve the treaty, a stronger focus on addressing environmental concerns, promoting sustainable practices, and safeguarding labor rights would be beneficial. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and dispute settlement procedures could enhance the effectiveness of the treaty and ensure compliance with its provisions.

(iii) Unintended problems arising from the CPTPP include potential inequality in the distribution of benefits among member countries, as well as the concentration of power among large multinational corporations. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of the treaty’s provisions.

(iv) The decision to continue following the CPTPP should be based on a comprehensive assessment of its benefits and drawbacks for the industries, companies, and countries involved. Regular reviews and consultations should be conducted to address emerging issues and ensure the treaty remains relevant in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Conclusion

The CPTPP has had a significant impact on the automotive industry, promoting trade liberalization, market access, and regulatory harmonization. While the treaty has shown effectiveness in achieving its objectives, ongoing evaluation and improvement are necessary to address cultural, environmental, ethical, employment, and political concerns. By continuously adapting and enhancing its provisions, the CPTPP can evolve into a more inclusive and sustainable agreement that benefits all stakeholders involved in international trade.