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. Japan followed suit by signing its ชrst 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. 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