How Donald Trump damaged America’s interests in Asia
China is itching to join the region’s premier trade pact
Donald trump entered the White House in 2017 with a long hit list. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal which he called “a rape of our country”, was near the top. Just three days into his presidency, Mr Trump moved to kill it—and succeeded only in denying America its benefits. While America ditched the pact, others defied expectations by staying wedded to it and the principles of free trade and multilateral rule-making it represented. Five years ago this week, ministers from the 11 remaining countries met in Chile to sign the renamed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP).
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Donald Trump could not kill it”
Discover more
America v China: who controls Asia’s internet?
Amid an explosive data and AI boom the superpower contest hots up
China is using an “anaconda strategy” to squeeze Taiwan
Taiwan’s navy commander warns that his forces are increasingly strained
America is losing South-East Asia to China
President Joe Biden will not attend this year’s East Asia Summit
India has a unique opportunity to lead in AI
Its development will be unlike China’s or America’s
Japan’s new prime minister is his own party’s sternest critic
This could make it harder for Ishiba Shigeru to govern effectively
Ishiba Shigeru will become Japan’s next prime minister
The maverick won his fifth bid for leadership of the ruling party