Post-FTA 농업통상 현안 대응방안

Abstract

전 세계적으로 확산되던 양자 간 FTA의 시대가 지나고, 복수국 간 FTA의 시대로 접어들고 있다. 지난해 아시아･태평양 지역 12개국의 경제협정인 TPP가 타결되었고, 이에 따라 RCEP, FTAAP 등 복수국 간 FTA 협상의 움직임이 가속화되고 있다. 미국의 주도로 타결된 TPP는 높은 수준의 시장개방에 합의하였을 뿐만 아니라, WTO에서 확립되지 않은 규범들을 도입하면서 국제 통상질서와 규범을 재정립하는 계기를 마련하였다. 우리나라가 참여하고 있는 RCEP은 중국의 주도로 협상이 추진되고 있으며, TPP 가입 준비와 함께 우리나라 입장에서 협상에 대한 전략이 필요한 실정이다.

따라서 본 연구는 TPP, RCEP 협상 추진 시 고려해야 할 쟁점들을 검토하고 협상 전략을 도출함으로써, 가입 이후 농업 분야에의 파급영향을 최소화하고 Mega-FTA를 활용할 수 있는 통상전략을 제시하고자 한다. 특히, 농업 및 비농업 통상전문가들과 정기적인 포럼을 통해 통상 현안에 대해 논의하였으며, 포럼에서 논의된 다양한 의견을 수렴하여 결론을 도출하였다. 또한 TPP, RECP에 대한 시장접근 분야 및 규범 분야 대응전략과 글로벌가치사슬을 중심으로 한 Mega-FTA 활용전략을 제시하였다.

Background of Research The world economy had been pursuing multilateral systems under the WTO. However, regionalism has intensified with rapid expansion of free trade agreements since 1990. On the other hand, the international trade order is recently changing from bilateral FTAs to Mega FTAs. TPP, which was concluded at the end of 2015, is an agreement, intended for economic integration of 12 countries, and by TPP, negotiation of RCEP is also accelerating. Korea has concluded 15 FTAs with 52 countries as of July 2016 and bilateral FTAs with major countries are about to be completed. Therefore, it is time to review negotiation strategies on TPP and RCEP as well as trade policy of Mega FTA. This study reviews issues to consider when negotiating TPP and RCEP, drawing negotiation strategy. Also, it aims to suggest trade strategy which can minimize impact on the agricultural sector and utilize Mega FTAs.

Method of Research Literatures regarding trends of international trade order and discussion on Mega FTAs were reviewed to study background of new international trade order. Also, current trade issues which Korea is facing were analyzed through the results of TPP negotiation, discussion and issues of RCEP, previous studies and statistical data. Regular forums and seminars were held to discuss current agricultural trade issues and the implications drawn from the forums were reflected in this study. The agricultural trade forum was formed of experts from agricultural and non-agricultural sectors and it was used as a door to collect extensive opinions.

Research Results and Implications It is expected that the international trade negotiation will be developed, mainly by Mega-FTA and certain agendas in future. In particular, TPP established regulations on new trade issues over free trade of goods, including regulations which have not been treated in the WTO. Korea is required to have attitude of careful access since it has to adopt the existing agreement as a late comer. Most of all, conflicts between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors concerning market opening are likely to occur, so responses need to be prepared to minimize social conflicts and costs considering domestic and overseas requirements. In particular, we need to prepare for additional market opening of sensitive products such as rice and measures on reinforcement of SPS regulations. Since Korea opened ASEAN and Chinese markets at a low level through FTAs, RCEP is likely to have bigger effect than that of TPP. Particularly, because there are a lot of agricultural exporters in RCEP, we need to prepare for responses to market access and regulations. Through Mega FTA, Korea will be able to create added value in terms of backward participation which exports manufactured products using the materials from overseas. Not only expanding exports of processed food with customs benefit of materials imported through Mega FTAs, but we also need to make it as an opportunity to export agricultural materials to the member countries.

Researchers: Kim Younghoon, Eor Myongkeun, Lee Sanghyeon, Cho Sungju, Chung Daehee, Ahn Soojung, Oh Saera Research Period: 2016. 1. ~ 2016. 12. E-mail address: shlee@krei.re.kr