Gideon Rachman observes that Asia's economic miracle depended on peace and stability ("The Asian strategic order is dying", August 6). It also relied on trade surpluses with the US. The American locomotive could pull the Asian train until China hitched its car to it. To sustain prosperity, Asia needs to become its own engine of growth. It can do this by liberalising trade. Ratifying the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and eventually including China and Korea in the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership would multiply trade in the region.
Politicians in Asia should pursue this agenda rather than following president Trump into a protectionist morass.
