China–Japan–South Korea Free Trade Agreement

The China–Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement is a proposed free trade agreement between China, Japan and South Korea. The China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement was proposed in 2002. Negotiations on the agreement were set in motion in 2012.[1] The three nations make up to 19.6% of the world's economy.The first official talks on the matter were held in Seoul from 26–28 March 2013. Further talks were held in China and Japan throughout 2013, and more were scheduled for early 2014. Trade among the three economies totalled US$690 billion in 2011; however, progress on negotiations may be hampered by ongoing territorial disputes among the participants.[2] Territorial disputes between Beijing and Tokyo led in 2012 to riots in China that targeted Japanese-owned businesses. Two-way trade between South Korea and China was totaled at $230 billion in 2013.

A trilateral investment has been signed by all 3 nations. An agreement would push forward the integration of Asia's economies. The whole of Asia, along with the rest of the world economy, would benefit from their intimate and progressive trade relationship.

A fourth round of talks were held in Seoul, South Korea from 4–7 March 2014.[3]

Intersessional Meeting of the Negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among Japan, China and the Republic of Korea was held in Tokyo, on June 17–18, 2014 before the fifth round of talks was scheduled for later that summer.

The eleventh round of talks were held from January 9–11, 2017 where Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Investment were discussed.

The twelfth round of talks were held in Tokyo on April 10–13, 2017

The thirteenth round of talks were held in Seoul on March 22–23, 2018.[4]

The fourteenth round of talks were held in Beijing on December 6–7, 2018.[5]

The fifteenth round of talks were held in Tokyo April 9–12, 2019.[6] "This round of negotiations is the first one after the three parties reached a consensus on comprehensive speed-up negotiations. The three parties held a meeting of the chief negotiators, director generals’ consultation and 13 sub-conferences on specific topics, reached positive consensuses on the methods and paths for the negotiation of relevant issues, and clarified the work arrangements for the next step. The three parties unanimously agreed to further increase the level of trade and investment liberalization based on the consensus reached in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) in which the three parties all participated, and to incorporate high-standard rules to create a RCEP Plus free trade agreement."- fta.mofcom.gov.cn[7] It has been speculated that negotiations will be sped-up based on the current US government "Trade-War" with China.

The three countries will look to hold the sixteenth round in The Republic of Korea.