Journal of World Trade Studies

China’s Utilization of the Paris Agreement’s ‘CBDR-RC’ Principle Through the Role of Identity

2025-10-10T10:07:36+07:00

This study examines China’s utilization of the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) Principle to justify its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. As the world’s largest carbon emitter and a major economic power, China faces mounting international pressure to undertake ambitious climate commitments, especially after its NDCs are evaluated as ‘insufficient’ in meeting the Paris Agreement 1.5C goal. Through the Constructivist lens of International Regime Theory, this study explores how China uses the role of identity to institutionalize CBDR-RC in the Paris Agreement, where China uses its type identity as a developing nation and role identity as the leader of the Global South to shape climate negotiations; it also forms a collective identity with the Global South countries through alliances to promote the institutionalisation of the CBDR-RC principle. Using the methods of Political Discourse Analysis and Process Tracing, this study highlights China’s active role in institutionalizing CBDR-RC in the Paris Agreement to ensure the rights to differentiated climate obligations and preferential treatment for developing nations in the climate regime, which ultimately allows China to justify its NDCs under the CBDR-RC principle through the logic of appropriateness.

Leveraging the IA-CEPA Framework: Achieving Australia and Indonesia’s Interests in the Electric Vehicle Sector Through Fundings and Educational Platform

2025-10-10T10:12:59+07:00

This research examines how Indonesia and Australia address their respective interests in the electric vehicle (EV) sector through the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), conceptualized as an international regime. By applying Krasner’s framework of principles, norms, rules, and decision-making processes, this study assesses the effectiveness of IA-CEPA in facilitating economic cooperation and mutual benefits. The research first provides an overview of IA-CEPA’s structure andits classification as an international regime. It then explores two key case studies: the IA-CEPA Economic Cooperation Program (ECP) Katalis and the Indonesia-Australia Skills Exchange (IASE). The Katalis program has played a crucial role in funding initiatives that promote investment and collaboration in the EV industry, while IASE serves as a platform for upskilling Indonesianworkers in sectors relevant to electric mobility. These cases illustrate how IA-CEPA functions as a mechanism to align bilateral interests, not only in the EV sector but also in areas such as trade, e-commerce, skills development, and investment. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential for Indonesia and Australia to expand their cooperation under IA-CEPA by conducting market research on green hydrogen, a key component of future sustainable transportation. Through qualitative analysis and secondary data sources, this research argues that IA-CEPA exemplifies a successful international regime, fostering economic integration and sustainable industrial transformation. The findings contribute to discussions on economic diplomacy, international cooperation, and the role of bilateral agreements in addressing global sustainability challenges.

The Political Economy of South Korea’s Labor Landscape: Internalizing Labor Rights in the Global Industry

2025-10-10T10:12:56+07:00

In South Korea, the implementation of labor norms has been visible, with the internalization of these norms playing a crucial role. The dynamics and contestation between actors are key drivers that often determine the outcome of the labor norm internalization process. Previous research has focused on labor norm violations in South Korea and the influence of domestic politics, leaving a gap for studies that examine the process of norm internalization and the key actors involved. Using Finnemore and Sikkink’s “Norm Life Cycle” framework, this research analyzes the interactions behind labor norm internalization in South Korea and the additional political economy landscape. The findings show that international labor standards have been essential in driving domestic changes to labor norms. Both international and domestic pressures, particularly from labor unions and the EU, have played a significant role. The integration of international labor norms into the domestic system is also evident through the ratification of ILO Conventions. However, despite these ratifications, the influence of the nation’s political and cultural belief is substantial, as it hinders full internalization. This highlights how political dynamics in South Korea’s economic sector, along with actor contestation, have significantly shaped the limitations of labor norm internalization.

The European Union Green Deal and Global Trade: A Constructivist Perspective on Sustainability Norms

2025-10-10T10:12:54+07:00

The European Union’s Green Deal (EGD) represents a comprehensive policy initiative targeting climate neutrality by 2050, and its influence is already permeating global trade dynamics. This research examines the EGD as a paradigm-shifting, sustainability-driven policy and explores its ramifications on international trade structures through a constructivist perspective. Two primary research questions guide the analysis: First, how could the EGD influence the global sustainability norms? Second, how do global trade actors respond to the sustainability norms of EGD? To address these questions, the authors use a diverse methodology, combining qualitative analysis, and extensive literature review. The research focus on particular events to mechanisms such as carbon tariffs, the promotion of sustainable trade practices, and the broader set of principles underpinning the EGD. It analyzes the ways in which these elements are either contested or adopted by actors within the global trading system. The findings indicate that, while the EGD poses significant challenges for the European Union, it simultaneously opens pathways for the diffusion of sustainability norms. Increasingly, global trade actors are engaging in processes of socialization, whether to align with or counter the EU’s vision for sustainable trade. In conclusion, this research contributes to the academic discourse on trade and sustainability by providing a constructivist interpretation of how sustainability norms are disseminated and transformed within the international trade system.

Analyzing the Dynamics of India-China Trade Imbalance: A Structural and Policy-Oriented Study

2025-10-10T10:16:59+07:00

This study examines the imbalance in bilateral trade between India and China, which has been marked by a trade deficit on India's side since the early 2000s. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and secondary data sources from academic journals, policy reports, and international institution publications, this study analyzes the structural factors and domestic policies that influence trade relations between the two countries. The literature review draws on trade imbalance theory and the concept of global value chains, with particular attention to China's strengths in high-value-added manufacturing sectors and India's limitations in developing exports of complex products. The study's findings indicate that policies such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) have provided sectoral boosts but have not yet addressed the underlying structural challenges. The main obstacles identified include suboptimal logistics infrastructure, low investment in research and development, and skill gaps in the workforce. The study concludes that efforts to reduce the trade deficit require a more integrated approach between industrial, trade, and economic diplomacy policies. Long-term strategies based on innovation, improved production efficiency, and expanded access to global markets are crucial for strengthening India's economic competitiveness in the future.