EU-Japan Future Partnership: Ready for the “Big Bang”?

The conclusion of the negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement between EU and Japan is an important milestone as the biggest bilateral free trade agreement ever negotiated by the European Union. It will open huge market opportunities for both sides, but besides this also signals shared values of the importance of free and fair trade and a common vision for an open and rules-based world economy.  

In parallel a Strategic Partnership Agreement for cooperation in other areas, such as politics and security, is also being negotiated. Both agreements are scheduled for implementation during the coming year. What are the implications? Do we see an alternative global world order being created in the shadow of Trumps “America First Policy”? These issues were discussed in a round table with four major experts in the field.

Mr. Seiichiro Taguchi, Director, European Policy Division, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Roland Honekamp, Desk Officer Japan, European External Action Service (EEAS)
Mr. Tommy Kullberg, Honorary Chairman, European Business Council in Japan
Mr. Mikael Anzén, Head of Section for WTO and EU’s external Trade, Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs  

Chairperson: Axel Berkofsky, University of Pavia                   

The Japan seminar series is jointly organized by the European Institute of Japanese Studies at Stockholm School of Economics, the Asia Programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, the Department of Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish Studies at Stockholm University and the Swedish Defence University. It features monthly seminars on Japanese economy, politics and society.