Asia’s RCEP - a China-led trade agreement - could set up a stable future for the continent despite today’s conflicts. Here’s how RCEP is re-shaping Asia’s destiny.

The U.S. effort to impede China’s rise is in conflict with its regional strategy to gain benefits. To whip up its allies, it makes groundless accusations against China, but these are unlikely to persuade other countries to become America’s anti-China vanguard.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework proposed by the United States should blend with existing regional free trade arrangements, which are already well-developed. A quick look at the numbers shows there’s no advantage to leaving out Asia’s trade behemoth.

Washington intends to shed its reliance on multilateral mechanisms and form a new economic framework based on bilateral consultations. The IPEF is more of a contract aimed at solving particular issues than an agreement to ratchet up economic integration. And, of course, it aims to dent China’s influence.

In a host of ways, the ,mega FTA, which spans two continents provides an antidote to rising global protectionism, unilateralism and the mindset of “my own interests first.”

In applying for membership, China has made a clear choice to adhere to high standards. Its market is huge, so others should evaluate carefully. If any member state, or the United States, blocks the way forward, an important opportunity for Asia-Pacific prosperity will be lost.

Humans, according to German sociologist Friedrich Ratzel, seek prosperity on two tracks: economic and political. The former is negotiated, while the latter — the U.S. model — is often forced. This is why China is likely to prevail.

Though the Biden administration has promised that a comprehensive policy on trade with China would be produced, it is looking more and more like they intend to piece together Trump-era actions under their name.

China’s somewhat surprising petition to join the CPTPP presents serious challenges to the U.S.’s position in the region, and perhaps just as importantly, creates economic opportunity for China.

The creation of AUKUS is being criticized by many as an instigation on the part of the U.S. and the U.K., with third parties in Asia as well as Europe deeply troubled by its announcement.