# Tariffs & RCEP / trade policy scoreboard (ASEAN-10 + Timor-Leste)

Dedicated **applied / MFN tariff levels + RCEP legal status** pack for SEA-11. Companion to `topics/trade_dependence/` (partner concentration) — this pack is **policy instruments**, not trade shares. **Dual story:** applied MFN tariff levels ≠ preferential RCEP access — never blur them.

**As of:** 2026-09-22  
**Coverage:** BRN, KHM, IDN, LAO, MYS, MMR, PHL, SGP, THA, VNM, TLS  
**Linear:** [MED2-71](https://linear.app/media-os/issue/MED2-71/tariffs-and-rcep-sea-scoreboard-brief-spec)  
**Rule:** No invented numbers. Empty cells stay empty. Preferential RCEP HS schedules out of scope.

## Indicators

| Metric ID | Unit | Source | Vintage / as-of |
|-----------|------|--------|-----------------|
| `applied_sm_tariff_pct` | % | WDI `TM.TAX.MRCH.SM.AR.ZS` | **2022** (TLS **2021**) |
| `applied_wm_tariff_pct` | % | WDI `TM.TAX.MRCH.WM.AR.ZS` | **2022** (TLS **2021**) |
| `mfn_sm_tariff_pct` | % | WDI `TM.TAX.MRCH.SM.FN.ZS` | **2022** (TLS **2021**) |
| `mfn_wm_tariff_pct` | % | WDI `TM.TAX.MRCH.WM.FN.ZS` | **2022** (TLS **2021**) |
| `binding_coverage_pct` | % | WDI `TM.TAX.MRCH.BC.ZS` | **2022** or **2021** if 2022=0 artifact; TLS GAP |
| `rcep_party` / `rcep_in_force` | Y/N | MTI SG + ASEAN Secretariat | Legal status |
| `rcep_eif_date` | ISO date | Same | AMS EIF dates; TLS empty |

## Panel rules

| Panel | Metrics | Do not |
|-------|---------|--------|
| **(1) Applied / MFN tariff levels** | Simple + weighted means | Treat applied as “RCEP rate”; invent duty-free shares |
| **(2) Binding coverage** | WTO binding coverage % | Plot ID/KH/MY/TH 2022 zeros as real |
| **(3) RCEP legal status** | Party / in force / EIF date | Invent preference margins; call TLS a Party |

## Files

| File | Role |
|------|------|
| `scoreboard.csv` | Long-format — **canonical** |
| `scoreboard_wide.csv` | Wide pivot |
| `timeseries.csv` | Multi-year WDI tariff + binding series |
| `gaps.md` | Honest empties + caveats |
| `provenance.json` | Freeze metadata |
| `_raw/` | WDI JSON · Tavily RCEP extracts · status locks |
| `../../PUBLISHABLE_Tariffs_RCEP_SEA.md` | Writer brief |
| `../../SPEC_Tariffs_RCEP_SEA.md` | Designer brief |

## Reading notes

- **Philippines** applied simple mean **3.94%** (2022) sits below MFN simple mean **6.15%** — preferences already pull applied below MFN; that gap is **not** an RCEP utilisation score.
- **Singapore** is the near-zero hub (applied SM **0.05%**, WM **0.0%**) — show separately from the PH peer lens (MY/TH/VN/ID).
- **Cambodia** has the highest applied simple mean among AMS (**12.31%**, 2022) despite RCEP EIF on day one (1 Jan 2022) — levels ≠ membership.
- **RCEP latecomers:** Indonesia EIF **2 Jan 2023**; Philippines **2 Jun 2023** — last AMS into force.
- **Timor-Leste** has tariff data (applied SM **2.52%**, 2021) but is **not** an RCEP Party.

## British English

Documentation uses British English where it does not conflict with primary-source labels (WDI US spelling in indicator names — preserve).