China scores victory as 15 Asian nations sign world’s biggest free-trade deal

China scored a “victory” on Sunday as 15 Asia-Pacific nations signed the world’s biggest free-trade pact, sealing an agreement that excludes the United States and extends Beijing’s economic sway in the region.The realisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) comes after eight years of negotiations.It also comes amid questions over Washington’s engagement in the region, with the US absent from two of the most important trade groups that span the world’s fastest growing…

Read the original article at South China Morning Post