The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a trade pact that includes China, Japan, South Korea and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, came into effect with the start of 2022.
This massive trade bloc -- which covers approximately 30% of the world's gross domestic product, trade volume and population -- will impact not only the region's trade and investment but also its economic rules and forms of capitalism. RCEP members must therefore work tirelessly to improve the quality of the agreement and use it as a catalyst to prevent further division between China and the U.S.
