ABSTRACT

This chapter assesses the role of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Asian economic integration. It focuses on (1) the framework for the RCEP negotiations including its aim, scope and time frame; (2) the contribution of RCEP to Asian economic integration; (3) quantitative assessments of the economic impact of RCEP and a discussion of risks; (4) case studies of India, which some argue is hesitant to liberalize its trade further and could be a stumbling block to the RCEP negotiations, and of Sri Lanka being omitted; and (5) pathways to multilateralizing RCEP.