| Abstract: | 後冷戰時期以來，為強化經濟自主性，國際間洽簽區域貿易協定(Regional Trade Agreements, RTA)蔚為風期，帶動外國直接投資(Foreign Direct Investment, FDI)、生產與其他經濟活動塊狀化發展，RTA遂成為各國對外經貿政策優先選項，並與貿易自由化發展成為當前國際經濟關係的兩大主流。①貿易自由化方面，世界貿易組織(Wbrld Trade Organization, WTO)取代關稅貿易總協定(General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, GATT)，②會員國在WTO架構下，戮力追求貿易自由化。RTA方面，由於GATT/WTO多邊談判進程延宕，各國紛紛訴諸GATT一九七九扶植條款、服務貿易總協定(General Agreement on Trade in Service, GATS）與GATT一九九四第二＋四條等法源組建自由貿易區(Free Trade Areas, FTAs)或關稅同盟(Custom Unions, CUs)等RTA，加強經貿實力，提高國際競爭力，或達成其他政治或經濟目標。截至二○○二年底止，GATT/WTO接獲簽訂RTA通知，計二五○件，目前一七○件仍具有效力；二○○五年底前，國際間其他RTA若能達成共識，更將增至三○○件。③這些RTA中，以歐洲聯盟(European Union, EU)與北美自由貿易區(The North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA)為代表類型，其他則以美洲自由貿易區(Free Trade Areas of the Americas, FTAA)、東南亞國家協會(Association of South East Asian Nations, ASEAN)組建FTAs(AFTA)、ASEAN與中國籌組FTAs（「十加一」）、ASEAN與中國、日本、南韓籌組FTAs（「十加三」）、東亞FTAs、南錐共同市場與安地斯共同市場等較具規模。
本文主要目的在於闡述RTA的定義、相關理論與法源，探討RTA的組建、RTA對區域內外之影響、組建RTA之目的與RTA未來發展趨勢，以及RTA有那些主要類型。在RTA的實踐經驗方面，主要比較EU、NAFTA等RTA代表類型之共同性及差異性等，另揭櫫RTA對國際政治、經濟及臺灣政治、經濟有何影響，俾利深入瞭解RTA。
In the aftermath of the Cold War, movements toward Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) have prevailed as new developments emerged in global politics, economies and technologies. The RTA movement at the turn of the 21(superscript st) century has generated the regionalization of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), production and other economic activities. In order to enhance economic autonomy, RTA has become the priority policy for most countries and trade liberalization and RTA have become the two major trends of global economic relations.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) came formally into being on January 1, 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was established in 1947. Under the global free trade framework of GATT/WTO, members have made every effort to liberalize international trade. However, it has proven difficult for members to reach consensus through multi-lateral trade negotiations. They have thus resorted to the RTA in order to speed up trade liberalization.
The main themes of this paper can be categorized into five parts: 1.) Elaborating the definition, theory, legal framework, and trend of RTA. 2.) Stating the primary patterns of RTA, including NAFTA, EU, and others. 3.) Comparing research on executing experiences, similarities and differences between EU and NAFTA, the paragons of RTA. 4.) Looking into the impact on International Relations for Taiwan, especially domestic politics and economic prospects for forming RTA.5.) Conclusion. |
