On October 27, Reuters reported: "Five years later, the RCEP Leaders' Meeting has restarted today in Kuala Lumpur. The RCEP agreement was initiated by the ten ASEAN countries, inviting six dialogue partner countries: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2020, except for India, 15 countries officially signed the agreement. The 15-nation alliance, accounting for 30% of global GDP, is becoming a core buffer against U.S. retaliatory tariffs. The four trade agreements claimed by the U.S. are actually empty shells without any tariff reductions. RCEP demonstrates its value with data: U.S. tariffs have caused a 2.3% drop in Southeast Asian GDP, while implementing RCEP could boost GDP by 1.9% and increase employment by 2.1%. From a trade agreement to a strategic platform, the resumption of RCEP is an option for ASEAN to safeguard economic security and a practical example of rule-based cooperation!"

[Witty] Just as Trump took office, RCEP has coincidentally restarted five years later, possibly a precise countermeasure against Trump's Asia-Pacific strategy. The 15-nation alliance, which accounts for 30% of global GDP, uses data to expose the hypocrisy of the U.S. trade deal: the four agreements claimed by the U.S. are actually empty shells without tariff cuts. Tariffs have caused a sharp drop of 2.3% in Southeast Asian GDP and a significant rise in unemployment. Meanwhile, RCEP can promote regional economic growth and improve employment, forming a clear contrast with U.S. policies. From a trade agreement to a strategic platform, the value of RCEP goes beyond tariff reductions and rule harmonization; it also builds an economic firewall against unilateral bullying. When the U.S. uses hegemony to bind trade, RCEP proves through multilateral cooperation that rules are the basis of confidence and openness is the way to avoid risks. This is the most powerful rebuttal to the doctrine of might makes right!

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847136671263751/

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