Southeast Asian leaders show support for China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Region’s chiefs keen to hasten signing of commercial deal that covers half the world’s population

Progress has stuttered in recent months with India digging in over fears cheap Chinese goods could flood its massive consumer market

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Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations get together in Bangkok on Saturday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:02pm, 22 Jun 2019Updated: 11:25pm, 22 Jun 2019

Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Bangkok on Saturday determined to drive forward the world’s largest commercial pact, with the trade war between the United States and China clouding the outlook for their export-led economies.

Disputes in the flashpoint South China Sea, Myanmar’s persecution of Rohingya Muslims and plastic pollution in the seas are also set to be discussed at the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, chaired by Thailand.

But trade will take centre stage with Asean leaders keen to hasten the signing of a China-drafted commercial deal covering about half the world’s population.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) includes all 10 Asean economies, plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is seen as a mechanism for Beijing to draft the rules of Asia-Pacific trade, following a US retreat from the region.

Donald Trump pulled the US out of the TPP soon after being elected president. Photo: AFP

Soon after his election, President Donald Trump pulled the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would have been the world’s largest trade deal, slamming it as an American “job killer”.

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