NEWS
2025.12.04
【Report】 The 83rd AJI Frontier Seminar was held! Dr. BINTI ABD KHALID Nur Farhana presented “Negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: A Comparative Study Between Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.”
The 83rd AJI Frontier Seminar was held online on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Dr. Nur Farhana Binti Abd Khalid, a Senior Researcher at Ritsumeikan Asia-Japan Institute, Ritsumeikan University, Japan, gave a presentation entitled “Negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: A Comparative Study Between Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.”
Dr. Binti Abd Khald described Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam as small, open economies that are highly vulnerable to the influence of global powers. Each country has sensitive domestic issues but has shown a willingness to adapt. She asked how and why they have adopted different approaches in negotiating the TPP/CPTPP, with Malaysia being pragmatic but fluctuating, Singapore proactive and adaptive, and Vietnam enthusiastic and flexible. Her research methodology involved qualitative comparative case studies, including interviews with government officials and analysis of literature and government sources.
Dr. Farhana employed a theoretical framework that combined national neoclassical realism and international relations to understand the differing negotiation approaches of the three nations. Singapore’s economic reliance on international trade and its strategic approach to the TPP underscore its role in expanding market access and consolidating its position as a digital trade hub. Dr. Farhana highlighted Singapore’s minimal need for reforms compared to Malaysia and Vietnam, which allowed it to ratify the agreement early. She also explained Vietnam’s dual ambition to catalyze domestic reforms and attract high-quality foreign direct investment through the TPP, while balancing its relationship with China.
In the Q&A, the audience enthusiastically discussed Singapore’s economic strategy, highlighting its focus on growth and openness to trade due to its lack of natural resources and small size. Dr. Farhana explained that Singapore was a strong advocate for the TPP and viewed it as a continuation of its trade-dependent approach. She was asked about the influence of Vietnam’s elites on social reforms and the potential conflicts arising from the TPP and responded that while the ruling elites benefited from preferential access, diversifying away from China could increase economic sovereignty and reduce vulnerability to Chinese economic crises. She also noted that Vietnam’s success in TPP negotiations demonstrated its growing diplomatic sophistication as a credible global actor despite being a socialist state. The audience was impressed by Dr. Farhana’s informative presentation and insightful answers.
Dr. Nur Farhana Binti Abd Khalid making her presentation
Please visit the following link for previous AJI Frontier Seminars:
https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/research/aji/young_researcher/seminar/archive/