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 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.

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.

It is natural for Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, to provide leadership in global economic governance. But preventing a repeat of its failure with the Kyoto Protocol requires it to abandon its U.S.-centrism and its fealty to certain myths of the CPTPP.

Southeast Asia’s coalition of small-to-medium sized nations have hosted superpower conflicts, yet they are overshadowed by larger regional powers on the global stage time and time again. American leadership will struggle to find welcoming allies there without a drastic upgrade in its dealings with ASEAN member nations.

China and the U.S. need to figure out intellectually what they are vying for. They do not have territorial disputes in the ordinary sense, nor are they in binary ideological opposition of the kind seen during the Cold War era.

The resurrected TPP, spearheaded by Japan, alongside the RCEP agreement has the potential to offset billions in economic losses from the U.S.’s trade war. In due time, it could be a prize too sweet for the U.S. to hold out from.

The country is determined to make reforms necessary to becoming a full participant in a world currently being shaped by mega FTAs. It wants to play a bigger role in international rule-making, but some changes won’t be easy.