The agreement marks the emergence of constructive rules for the entire East Asia region. The parties no longer look to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with its burdensome provisions, as a model template.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was set to become the world’s largest free trade agreement. But India’s withdrawal from it has thrown the negotiated trade bloc into imbalance and has underscored India’s qualms with China’s trade practices.

As the WTO-led multilateral trading system has weakened, free trade areas are driving the process of laying down international rules.

While the Trump administration has announced withdrawal from TPP, in favor of bilateral economic cooperation and negotiation to protect US interests, it does not necessarily mean the US has given up its quest for dominancy in global trade rule-making. Meanwhile, other TPP signatories, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, are not willing to let the deal fall by the wayside. That means the spirit of TPP lives on even if the agreement itself does not.

If you ignore the dragon, it will eat you. If you try to confront the dragon it will overpower you. If you ride the dragon, you will take advantage of its might and power.

Donald Trump's presidency could reset American presence in Asia and present China with unexpected military and economic opportunities in the region. China's leaders must prioritize their objectives to avoid alienating neighbors, but until Trump chooses his cabinet and interacts with its members, they have little idea of what to expect from the United States in the coming years.

President-elect Donald Trump’s attack on international trade, and especially his intention to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), will allow the People’s Republic of China to seize the economic lead in Asia and prevent any goal of making America great again.

The loss of momentum for the Trans-Pacific Partners agreement has diminished the US’ standing as a global power, and taken the wind out of the sails of President Obama’s Pivot to Asia strategy. The result is a brighter prospect for a more regional partnership and China’s push to establish a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

As the president-elect makes bold statements and takes symbolic actions relevant to US-Sino relations, perhaps a bit of folklore suggests how to think about wise policy actions.

With the election of Donald Trump to the White House, the Obama Administration has finally accepted the inevitable and has announced that it will cease efforts to push the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) forward in the waning days of the Lame Duck session. Over the long term, Washington will need to re-assert its trade presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The supply chains are too interwoven and interdependent for the U.S. to go at it alone, despite the isolationist rhetoric emanating from the U.S. election.