We are pleased to share the Foresight Study on Regional Trade Integration in Asia-Pacific 2040, prepared with ESCAP by Paul Baker, Chairman of International Economics Consulting Ltd, and Loan Le, Director of International Economics Consulting (Viet Nam).
At a time of rapid change in the global trading system, the study explores plausible pathways for regional trade integration, examining how economies may respond to fragmentation, regulatory divergence, digital transformation, sustainability pressures, and evolving models of cooperation. The study discusses four potential scenarios of regional integration:
- A power-based route that is driven by geopolitical competition;
- A unilateral route marked by fragmentation and protectionism;
- A regional integration route with deeper intra-bloc cooperation;
- A renewed multilateral route with stronger global coordination.
By looking at the likely outcomes of four potential scenarios, the study contributes to forward-looking policy discussions on how Asia-Pacific economies can strengthen resilience, deepen cooperation, and support more inclusive regional integration toward 2040.
Read the publication here.