ASEAN eyes expansion of RCEP and CPTPP membership to deepen economic integration

ASEAN is aiming to broaden participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as part of efforts to deepen regional economic integration, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said on Friday.

Speaking after chairing the ASEAN Caucus Meeting on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea, Tengku Zafrul confirmed that expansion of both trade agreements was a key item on the agenda.

“Among the matters discussed today include the expansion of RCEP and CPTPP membership,” he told Bernama.

Currently, only four ASEAN countries – Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam – are members of the CPTPP. All ten ASEAN nations are parties to the RCEP, the world’s largest free trade agreement.

Tengku Zafrul is leading Malaysia’s delegation to the two-day MRT meeting, which gathers trade ministers from the 21 APEC economies. He said that ASEAN’s unified position on key trade issues, particularly in light of recent tariff measures by the United States, was essential in protecting the region’s interests and maintaining the integrity of global supply chains.

“ASEAN's adherence to neutrality and non-alignment allows us to independently voice our concerns in international forums like APEC,” he said, describing the bloc as “the fifth-largest economy in the world”.

ASEAN ministers unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and rejected unilateral measures.

“We must be firm in upholding multilateralism, a core principle of the World Trade Organisation, to boost regional economic integration,” Tengku Zafrul stressed.

In a further move to enhance regional cooperation, ASEAN is set to hold special consultations with key partners, beginning with China and Japan. Tengku Zafrul confirmed that the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) will meet with China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for special sessions on 20 May.

He also urged ASEAN members to adopt a unified voice during discussions at the APEC MRT meeting, particularly regarding global tariff challenges.

“Malaysia is fully committed to making this year of its ASEAN chairmanship a defining year for deeper ASEAN economic integration,” he added. - May 15, 2025