Scholars disagree about the achievements of the ARF and ASEAN Plus
Three processes, but from the point of view of assessing their effectiveness as
mechanisms for omni-enmeshment, there is evidence that the targeted major
powers have been eager and competitive in subscribing to membership and
the norms associated with these initiatives. On the economic front, for instance,
ASEAN’s attempts to foster greater openness and interdependence
through trade agreements with major powers have met with impressive levels
of uptake. Shortly after the United States and Singapore announced talks for a
free trade agreement (FTA) in 2000, China decided to open negotiations for an
FTA with ASEAN, which was endorsed in June 2001, with a target date of
completion in 2010.38 Japan followed suit by signing its ªrst regional FTA with
Singapore in January 2002, and by proposing to launch talks in 2008 for an FTA
with ASEAN, also with a target date of 2010.39 South Korea has agreed to implement
an FTA with ASEAN by 2016. Furthermore, Australia signed an FTA
with Singapore in July 2003, and announced in November 2004 that it would
begin negotiations for an ASEAN-wide FTA. After signing FTAs with
Singapore and Thailand in 2004–05, India is currently negotiating an FTA with
ASEAN.