The Governance of Cross-Border Data Flows in Trade Agreements: Is the Cptpp Framework an Ideal Way Out?

The regulations of cross-border data flows is a growing challenge for the international community. International trade agreements, however, appear to be pioneering legal methods to cope, as they have grappled with this issue since the 1990s. The World Trade Organization (WTO) rules system offers a partial solution under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which covers aspects related to cross-border data flows. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) have also been perceived to provide forward-looking resolutions. In this context, this article analyzes why a resolution to this issue may be illusory. While they regulate cross-border data flows in various ways, the structure and wording of exception articles of both the CPTPP and USMCA have the potential to pose significant challenges to the international legal system. The new system, attempting to weigh societal values and economic development, is imbalanced, often valuing free trade more than individual online privacy and cybersecurity. Furthermore, the inclusion of poison-pill clauses is, by nature, antithetical to cooperation. Thus, for the international community generally, and China in particular, cross-border data flows would best be regulated under the WTO-centered multilateral trade law system.     

后TRIPS时代知识产权国际保护的新发展及我国的应对

从WIPO和WTO两大框架体系向FTA的平台转换,标志着知识产权国际保护进入后TRIPS时代。后TRIPS时代与FTA相伴,以美国为首的西方国家主张高标准知识产权保护,对知识产权立法、执法提出了更高要求。对于发展中国家而言,知识产权领域“南北对抗”以及赶超型发展战略成为一种新常态。为适应后TRIPS时代,我国应将知识产权国际保护提升到战略高度,一方面提升本国制度的适应性和执法水平,向知识产权强国迈进;另一方面也应把握“南南合作”的基点,提升国际话语权。具体而言,可以从以下四个维度展开:一是以CPTPP为标杆,完善国内知识产权制度及执法机制;二是抓住美国退出的窗口期,尽快启动加入CPTPP谈判程序;三是加强知识产权对外交流,提高国际认同度;四是学会平台转换,推动知识产权国际保护的均衡发展。     

我国“劳动法”与CPTPP劳工条款接合的法律方案研究

我国“劳动法”对接CPTPP劳工条款有利于我国融入国际经贸规则体系,也有利于避免社会倾销调查。我国“劳动法”对接CPTPP劳工条款的制度框架包括原则性条款、实体权利条款、组织性条款、实施条款和纠纷解决条款。我国“劳动法”与CPTPP劳工条款接合的法律方案可分为国际和国内两个层面。国际层面可利用双边协议争取劳工标准实施的缓冲期、利用程序性规定防止争端解决程序滥用、适时推进结社权和集体谈判权相关公约的批准。国内层面可在海南自贸港提前试行CPTPP劳工规则：在强迫劳动方面,重点推动服刑人员报酬制度改革;在职业歧视方面,重点推动户籍制度改革以消除基于户籍的制度性歧视;在结社权和集体谈判权方面,可参考借鉴CPTPP缔约国越南和新加坡的经验。     

RCEP在推动东亚区域合作中的作用与新课题

区域全面经济伙伴关系协定(RCEP)对亚洲经济体进一步提升区域贸易投资自由化水平、促进形成区域一体化市场、改善区域综合发展环境具有积极意义。与此同时,RCEP也存在着进一步升级探索经贸新规则、推动区域内部国家进一步参与价值链分工以及提高自由贸易协定利用水平等一系列提升空间。未来一段时期内,以RCEP为重要内容的亚洲区域经济一体化进程将稳定发展,RCEP成员方需要积极加强国际合作,推动RCEP落地生效并发挥应有作用,为区域经济增长和全球经贸发展作出更大贡献。     

论 CPTTP 有执行力劳工标准及中国的应对措施

自1994年《北美自由贸易协定》首次纳入劳工标准以来,自贸协定纳入有执行力劳工标准已具 有区域劳工规则构建意义,其中《全面与进步跨太平洋伙伴关系协定》(CPTPP)的劳工标准最具代表性。该协 定要求缔约国在国内法中接受载明的劳工权利,使劳动争议受制于争端解决机制,并允许采用制裁措施,赋予劳 工标准可执行力,实现国际贸易与劳工标准挂钩。中国政府已明确表示,将积极考虑加入CPTPP,这充分彰显了 我国支持多边主义的一贯立场。然而加入CPTPP,我国将面临与有执行力劳工标准有关的挑战。研究认为,我国 已进入新发展阶段,应在构建新发展格局的背景下,统筹推进劳动法领域国内法治与涉外法治,积极参与区域劳 工规则的构建。