Asset Value Protection Agreements: An Alternative View of 21st Century Economic Partnership Agreements
7 Pages Posted: 26 Nov 2016 Last revised: 17 Mar 2017
Date Written: September 8, 2016
Abstract
Modern deep and comprehensive economic partnership agreements have, as a central aim, the protection of the value of corporate assets deployed in international commerce, especially intellectual property. Different metrics and different policy lenses are needed to evaluate the impact of the asset protection function compared to the metrics and lenses used to evaluate the impact of conventional free trade agreements on trade and economic activity. Preliminary consideration of modern trade agreements as "asset value protection agreements" suggests that asset value impacts can potentially dwarf those on trade and investment; are likely highly skewed across treaty partners, altering the balance of benefits as conventionally assessed; and the protection for the incumbent stock of assets can have negative implications for the dynamism of local innovation ecosystems. Bottom line conclusions regarding the national interest in trade negotiations can depend on how agreements are evaluated.
Keywords: Asset Value Protection Agreement, Deep and Comprehensive Trade Agreements, Intellectual Property
JEL Classification: F13, F15, O30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation