This paper argues that the formation of regional integration frameworks can be best understood
as a dominant state’s attempt to create a preferred regional framework in which it can exercise
exclusive influence. In this context, it is important to observe not only which countries are
included in a regional framework, but also which countries are excluded from it. For example, the
distinct feature of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is its exclusion of the People’s Republic
of China (PRC), and that of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is its
exclusion of the United States. An exclusion of a particular country does not mean that the
excluded country will perpetually remain outside the framework. In fact, TPP may someday
include , resulting from a policy of the United States “engaging” or “socializing” the PRC rather
than “balancing” against it. However, the first step of such a policy is to establish a regional
framework from which the target country of engagement is excluded.