The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as an Economic Architecture for the Asia-Pacific Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

There has been a growing need for an economic framework amid global geopolitical uncertainty in recent years. The RCEP is one of the strategic efforts of Asia-Pacific nations to address this dynamic. This article explores the potential of the RCEP as a regional economic architecture that not only simplifies the segmentation of trade agreements but also strengthens ASEAN ’s centrality, balances the interests of major powers, and drives transformation in strategic sectors, including the digital economy, small and medium-sized enterprises ( SME s), and sustainable development. This study employs an interpretive qualitative approach, incorporating a literature review and interviews with stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The findings suggest that the RCEP has the potential to serve as a platform for economic stabilisation amid geopolitical tensions. However, challenges remain, including differences in development levels, institutional complexity, and the absence of investment dispute resolution mechanisms. As such, the long-term effectiveness of the RCEP will depend heavily on its ability to deliver tangible benefits and implement inclusive policy adaptations

China · Christian ministry · Corporate governance · General partnership · Geopolitics · Strategic planning · Sustainability · Global Health and Epidemiology · Global Political and Economic Relations · Global trade and economics · Architecture