Pressing need to conclude RCEP as soon as possible

Key meeting: Trade ministers attend the 3rd Inter-sessional Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting in Hanoi. — Reuters

TWO important meetings by Asia Pacific trade ministers have taken place in Hanoi – one an attempt to revive a free trade deal and the other to take stock of another trade agreement still being negotiated. Both are mega deals.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is now in limbo after the withdrawal of the United States. The 11 countries left, including Malaysia, are still figuring out whether to continue with it.