16/11/2020 (Agence Europe) – The ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), together with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on Sunday 15 November. It is the largest free trade agreement in the world, covering 30% of the world’s population and 30% of the world’s GDP. The agreement includes trade in goods and services. In particular, it will help to reduce or eliminate customs duties between member countries on industrial and agricultural products. Unlike the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) between Canada and ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the RCEP does not impose environmental or social standards on the partners. The agreement will enter into force once six Asean member countries and three non-members have ratified it. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)