How will the rise of China and the subsequent American “pivot” of reengagement with Asia affect the trade of the Asian region? The Asia Pacific is characterized by a lack of supranational institutions and bilateral preferential trading agreements, which make up the “noodle bowl” syndrome. How will this “fragile” regional economic architecture be affected by the two great power politics? Some say China’s rise will not affect the international order, while others, namely realists, predict confrontation and conflict. I test the theoretical propositions of hegemonic competition against the case of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free trade agreement among at least 11 different countries led by the United States. I argue that the Sino-American rivalry in Asia creates competition for the influence over the future of the Asia Pacific trade architecture and thus forming a “divide” in the region.
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