There is some concern about competition between TPP and RCEP, since the regional
pacts have similar objectives over trade liberalisation and economic integration. These
two agreements may also come into direct conflict due to the rivalry between the US and
China8, as each of these powers seeks to shape economic cooperation in the Asian region
and cement their economic interests. Besides, any competition between these two agreements
may lead to disunity within ASEAN, which may undermine the organisation’s centrality
in the region. While Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam are members of both
RCEP and TPP, the rest of ASEAN countries are currently members of only RCEP.