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Maria Garcia

Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Bath

Prior to joining Bath in 2014, I was a Marie Curie International Fellow at the NCRE, University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and the University of Nottingham. During this time I conducted research on the various free trade agreement strategies of global economic powers in the region, and the effects of strategic competition on their strategies.

Previously, I lectured at Birkbeck College, London and the University of Nottingham. I have been also been a visiting fellow at ANUCES, Australian National University, Monash University in Melbourne, the University of Salzburg and ULB in Brussels.

My current projects include a book on the divergent free trade agreement strategies of large (China, USA, EU) and small economies (Singapore, Chile, New Zealand) in Asia-Pacific and their effects on the development of future economic governance in the region.

Alongside Annick Masselot of the University of Canterbury, I am investigating Asian resistance to European norm promotion through free trade agreements.

Research interests:

International trade and economic governance
EU-USA trade negotiations (TTIP) and Transpacific Partnership negotiations (TPP)
EU-Asia, EU-China, EU-Australasia and EU-Latin America Relations
Regional integration and inter-regionalism
Societal impacts of trade agreements/ Values and trade
International Political Economy

Briferendum Aftermath Series

What the Brexit White Paper says (and doesn't say) about trade

Feb 03, 2017 04:35 am UTC| Insights & Views

Two of the 12 priorities set out in the UK governments Brexit White Paper are focused on trade: Ensuring free trade with European markets Securing new trade agreements with countries outside the EU In terms of...

Briferendum Aftermath Series

Four options for UK trade after Brexit

Jul 21, 2016 02:37 am UTC| Insights & Views

With Brexit on the horizon, the UK must decide what kind of trade relationship it should craft with the European Union. The cases of Norway, Switzerland, Canada and other members of the WTO offer inspiration. All have...

Economy

US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns

The United States has initiated a new trade investigation into Vietnams handling of intellectual property (IP) rights, a move that could eventually lead to additional tariffs on Vietnamese imports. The investigation,...

US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook

The U.S. dollar weakened slightly on Friday as investor confidence improved following comments from President Donald Trump regarding a possible peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The prospect of easing...

Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar

Asian currencies traded in a narrow range on Friday while the U.S. dollar remained largely unchanged, as investors assessed reports suggesting the United States and Iran are close to extending their ceasefire agreement....

Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment

Asian stock markets posted strong gains on Friday, supported by a global technology rally and growing optimism surrounding a potential extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Investor confidence...

Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path

Tokyo consumer inflation slowed in May, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will continue taking a measured approach to monetary policy tightening as inflationary pressures remain moderate. According to...

Politics

US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay

A rare high-level military meeting between the United States and Cuba took place at the perimeter of the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, marking a significant development in U.S.-Cuba relations amid growing...

Trump Nears Decision on Iran Ceasefire Extension as Key Disputes Remain

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is close to making a final decision on a proposed agreement to extend the current ceasefire with Iran, although major disagreements between Washington and Tehran continue to...

Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Access to Federal Lands in the U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday aimed at removing restrictions that limit access to federal lands across the United States, according to a statement from the White House. The move is part of...

Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus announcement that Israel plans to expand its area of control in Gaza has drawn strong criticism from Hamas, European governments, and residents of the Palestinian territory. The...

Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has warned that Russia is preparing a major new attack on Ukraine, citing intelligence reports that indicate plans for a large-scale military strike. The announcement comes as...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

Technology

Kentucky School District Secures $27 Million in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Settlements

A Kentucky school district has secured nearly $27 million in settlements from major social media companies over allegations that their platforms contributed to a growing student mental health crisis. The financial details,...

MongoDB Q1 FY2027 Earnings Beat Expectations, Raises Full-Year Outlook

MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB) delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, fueled by growing demand for its database platform among enterprises and organizations developing artificial intelligence...

SpaceX IPO Could Become Largest in History with $1.8 Trillion Valuation Target

Elon Musks SpaceX is reportedly moving forward with plans for a historic initial public offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of at least $1.8 trillion. According to a Bloomberg News report citing sources familiar with the...

Autodesk Beats Q1 Estimates, Acquires MaintainX for $3.6 Billion

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) reported stronger-than-expected financial results for its fiscal first quarter and announced a major $3.6 billion acquisition of MaintainX, a move that strengthens its position in AI-powered...

US Quantum Stocks Surge After $2 Billion Government Investment

The U.S. Department of Commerce has sparked major excitement across the technology and financial sectors after announcing plans to invest $2 billion into quantum computing and advanced hardware companies through the CHIPS...