Episode 66: Regional Economic Integration in the Asia-Pacific – A Model for Addressing 21st Century Trade Policy Issues? With Vangelis Vitalis

We live in the Pacific century! The centre of gravity for the world economy is inexorably moving towards the region. While there is strong regional economic dynamism, with many economies in the Pacific being at the frontier of technological change and digital modernization, the economy is also spurred by new trade and economic agreements.

In this episode, Fredrik Erixon and Vangelis Vitalis have a conversation on the Asia-Pacific.

Vangelis Vitalis is New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary for Trade and Economic Affairs and has been chairing APEC’s Senior Officials’ Meeting during New Zealand’s host year for the regional forum. He served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the WTO, and is currently the country’s Chief Negotiator, including for the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, and was the concluding Chief Negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the ASEAN- Australia-New Zealand FTA.