Category Program

Indonesia’s Persistent Trade Deficit Under ACFTA: Reassessing 16 Years of China Economic Integration

Indonesia ACFTA Trade Deficit: 16-Year Analysis

Sixteen years after implementation, Indonesia's trade deficit with China has widened dramatically under ACFTA, revealing structural asymmetries in the agreement that have favoured Chinese manufacturers while constraining Indonesian industrial development. This pattern has reshaped Jakarta's approach to trade negotiations and regional economic strategy.

Central Asian Sanctions Evasion: EU Pressure on Kyrgyzstan Reveals Broader Sanctions Enforcement Challenges

EU Sanctions Pressure on Kyrgyzstan Over Russia Evasion

The EU's sanctions envoy has directly engaged Kyrgyzstan over its role in facilitating Russian sanctions evasion, signaling Brussels' determination to enforce restrictions across Central Asia. The intervention reveals both the sophistication of Russian circumvention networks and the constraints facing third countries attempting to balance economic dependence on Russia with Western pressure.