RTAs: Challenges and opportunities for global trade governance

Abstract

Comparative regionalism considers regionalism as one of the levels of global governance. This article applies this perspective to the understanding of regional trade agreements (RTAs) as an important part of the reconfiguration of international trade norms. Based on this foundation, the first research objective is to analyze the characteristics of the different models of RTAs. It is observed that the RTA model led by the Global South favors the inversion of the “center-periphery” pattern and that its openness attracts more countries to participate. Meanwhile, RTAs dominated by traditional powers are characterized by protectionism and exclusivity. The second goal of the text is to reveal emerging trends common to various RTAs.