The effects of Mega-Regional Trade Agreements in Vietnam

Abstract

While most studies conclude that Vietnam would have benefited greatly from the now suspended Trans-Pacific Partnership, the country nevertheless stands to gain from participation in other still promising regional frameworks, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. This paper analyzes how Vietnam`s economy is likely to be affected by these regional frameworks. We apply a static CGE model, incorporating the effects of capital accumulation, labor supply changes, and productivity growth stemming from trade liberalization. We also analyze “middle income trap” scenarios, in which Vietnam`s growth factors fall below the full-potential level and draw policy implications.