APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (2024)

APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (1)

Establishing Relationships Throughout the Region

The APEC Study Center at Columbia University enhances the School's rich tradition of research and teaching on the Asia-Pacific region by serving as the focal point of study on issues of economic importance for the region.

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Special Announcement

We are proud to share that on February 15, 2024, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon was conferred on Professor David E. Weinstein, the Carl S. Shoup Professor of the Japanese Economy at Columbia University and Co-Director of the APEC Study Center at Columbia University.

The ceremony was led by H.E. Ambassador Mikio Mori, the Consul General of Japan in New York, and the conferment ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Residence in New York.

The Order of the Rising Sun, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, was Japan’s first award. It is conferred on behalf of the Emperor of Japan as one of the highest honors bestowed by the Japanese government on people who have rendered distinguished service to Japan.

The conferral recognizes Professor Weinstein’s significant contributions to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Professor Weinstein’s long-standing commitment to studying and understanding the Japanese economy and his dedication to research and cross-cultural exchange embodies the spirit of this prestigious award.

“I am profoundly honored to receive the medal tonight from Ambassador Mori in the presence of my family, colleagues, and friends. It is a deeply moving recognition of my research and efforts to expand the world’s understanding of Japan’s economy and business system,” Professor Weinstein said upon receiving the medal.

APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (2)

New Discussion Paper

Geopolitical competition, globalisation and WTO reformbyBernard M. Hoekman,Robert Schuman Centre, European University Institute, Fiesole, Italy; CEPR, London, UK;Petros C. Mavroidis, Columbia Law School, New York, New York, USA; andDouglas R. Nelson, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. April 2023

Abstract:
This paper discusses options to manage spillovers of unilateral trade policies motivated by national security and other non-economic objectives on global trade and investment. Within the WTO framework, we argue a ‘specific trade concern’ mechanism is likely to be more effective than dispute settlement to address national security-motivated trade intervention. More broadly, we propose creation of a platform for governments, supported by relevant international organisations, to enhance transparency and assess the effectiveness and magnitude of the spillover effects of trade/ related policies of systemic import. This would serve to help identify efficient instruments to achieve economic and non-economic goals and inform WTO reform discussions on subsidies and discriminatory trade policies. Plurilateral cooperation among like-minded nations offers a pragmatic pathway to address spillover effects of policies to achieve security and other non-economic objectives but requires a stronger governance framework to ensure consistency with an open multilateral trading system.

View other papers from the APEC Study Center Discussion Paper Series.

Video Available Now

APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (3)

Industrial Policy, National Security, and Globalization
Friday, November 3, 2023 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

Message from the Co-Directors

APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (4) APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (5)

The APEC Study Center (ASC) at Columbia University maintains its support of the University's rich tradition of research, conferences, lecture programs, and teaching on the AsiaPacific region by serving as the focal point of study on issues of business and economic importance for the region for over 27 years.

Columbia University has safely and carefully reintroduced in-person classes, work, and activities across its campuses, with ASC core faculty and staff following suit. The ASC persists in its support of courses focusing on this region at Columbia Business School (CBS), the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), and across the University as a whole, and the Center actively collaborated on programs at numerous Columbia and other organizations, cosponsoring a total of 17 webinar events in the 2020-2021 academic year.

As the world continues to face challenges, we at the ASC will continue to do our part to ensure the views and goals of the Asia-Pacific continue to be represented in conversations held on issues ranging from climate change to economic security to global crises and beyond. We also look forward to APEC 2023, which will be hosted by the United States.

The ASC’s programming and research are made possible by the commitment and energy of the faculty and staff involved as well as our generous supporters. In particular, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Lotte Group of Korea, ASC’s longtime sponsor.

Merit E. Janow and David E. Weinstein

Contact Us

APEC Study Center at Columbia University
645 West 130th Street
Geffen Hall
6th Floor
New York, NY 10027
212-853-8595

APEC Study Center | Columbia Business School (2024)

FAQs

Does APEC still exist? ›

Currently, APEC has 21 members. The criterion for membership, however, is that each member must be an independent economic entity, rather than a sovereign state. As a result, APEC uses the term member economies rather than member countries to refer to its members.

What are the disadvantages of APEC? ›

APEC's problems stem from three principal weaknesses: a lack of consensus among members over its objectives and how these might best be realized; the absence of a body that has the capacity to be a dynamo for the grouping; and a failure to engage with civil society.

What does the APEC stand for? ›

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum of 21 Asia-Pacific economies.

What are the 3 pillars of APEC? ›

To achieve these goals, APEC member economies developed a framework in Osaka, Japan in 1995, which sets out trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation as the three key areas of cooperation, or otherwise known as the “Three Pillars” of APEC.

Is APEC good or bad? ›

APEC has enjoyed high economic growth and improved social outcomes, as evidenced by declining poverty incidence, but APEC needs to put more work in tethering economic growth with environmental sustainability. However, the assessment also shows some unfinished businesses.

How successful is APEC? ›

Average tariffs fell from 17 percent in 1989 to 5.3 percent in 2021. During that same time period, the APEC region's total merchandise trade increased over nine times—outpacing the rest of the world with more than two-thirds of this trade occurring between member economies.

What are the benefits of joining APEC? ›

APEC ensures that goods, services, investment and people move easily across borders. Members facilitate this trade through faster customs procedures at borders; more favorable business climates behind the border; and aligning regulations and standards across the region.

Who benefits from APEC? ›

For developing economies, APEC provides additional benefits in areas such as the development of procedures, policy frameworks and systems to deal with contemporary issues. These issues range from transparency and governance to financial sector reform and customs procedures.

What is the scope of APEC? ›

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the premier platform for the United States to advance economic policies in the Asia-Pacific region to promote free, fair, and open trade and investment and advance inclusive and sustainable growth.

Who funds APEC? ›

APEC activities are centrally funded by annual contributions from APEC member economies presently totaling USD5 million. These contributions are used to fund the ssecretariat in Singapore and various projects which support APEC's economic and trade goals.

Who is the head of APEC? ›

Rebecca Sta Maria - Executive Director - APEC - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation | LinkedIn.

Who is the founder of APEC? ›

Since 1989, APEC has expanded from its original 12 members to include 21 member economies. The founding members were Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

Who can join APEC? ›

APEC membership includes: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; the Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States of America; ...

What is the difference between APEC and WTO? ›

The WTO is a rules-based multilateral trade agreement; APEC is a consultative process operating on a voluntary basis and consensus among members.

What is the motto of the APEC? ›

The APEC tagline, "Advancing Free Trade for Asia-Pacific Prosperity" is used in conjunction with the APEC logo.

When APEC ends? ›

APEC SF 2023 got underway on Saturday, Nov. 11 and will run through Friday, Nov. 17. President Biden arrived in SF for the event Tuesday afternoon and is scheduled to depart on Thursday.

Who are the 21 APEC countries? ›

APEC membership includes: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; the Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States of America; ...

Is India under APEC? ›

Formed in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation grouping has 21 members, but India is not one of them. It had made a request to join the grouping in 1991, the year which saw the introduction of liberalisation and entirely changed the shape and trajectory of the Indian economy.

Is India APEC member? ›

The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) is a regional economic forum and was formed in 1989. It has 21 members in its groups, however, India is not one of them.

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