TPP, RCEP, and FTAAP: Mulitlayered Regional Economic Integration and International Relations

In the Asia-Pacific region, multiple efforts to facilitate economic integration and cooperation are underway. The various frameworks come in a range of scale and scope, membership, and degree of clarity. ASEAN member countries, in a variety of combinations, are party to these trade agreements. Overlapping and multilayered, these frameworks are venues for both creating large economic areas as well as for competition for regional leadership. Besides the international dimension, the domestic situations of each participating member country affect the process of negotiations and achievement of the agreements.