Such a strategy would avoid the need to consider turning APEC into a discriminatory trading bloc, while countering US concerns about unilateral reduction of the protection provided to "sensitive" sectors. It would also remove the need for concern about the EU, or others, "free-riding" on liberalization by APEC participants. This approach could make it possible for the USA to be involved effectively in APEC's trade and investment facilitation from the outset. At the same time, it can maximize APEC's potential to ensure a global response to the reduction of traditional trade barriers, through its growing collective influence in the WTO and other multilateral forums.