Commentary The new Asia-Pacific economic pact cannot help China recover from its export market loss with the United States and growing international isolation. In Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s own words, “The wind is strong, and the tides are high.” The Asia-Pacific Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact, led by the 10 ASEAN countries, was signed in November. In addition to the 10 ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand are also included in the pact, making it 15 countries in all. India dropped out of the negotiations in 2019 due to concern over China’s long-term export dumping policy. The signing of the RCEP agreement should be a breakthrough for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang even praised the agreement, saying “the ASEAN countries played a leading role in the RCEP negotiations and made crucial contributions.” For countries that are relatively weak, underdeveloped …