Asia-Pacific nations sign massive trade deal

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) spans 15 countries and 2.2 billion people—roughly 30% of the world’s population.

The deal, which was signed in November, is a significant step to liberalizing trade rules in the Asia-Pacific, at a time when some countries have taken a more protectionist approach to trade policy. This is China’s first major free trade agreement in the region.  After a lengthy transition period, the RCEP will remove up to 90% of tariffs among its members. 

Read this EDC Economics overview to discover the near-term implications for Canadian companies.