Note: This article was originally published in Japan Today.  Prof Fukunari Kimura was quoted.

The long-awaited free trade agreement signed Sunday between 15 Asia-Pacific countries after eight years of talks reflect their determination to strengthen economic unity and promote free trade, regardless of political differences, as questions loom over how U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will engage with the region. Japan hopes the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which includes China and South Korea and represents 30 percent of the world's trade and population, will encourage the United States to return to a multilateral trade framework.

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