An Asian trade pact almost a decade in the making is set to reach fruition this weekend with negotiators near agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Trade ministers held a video conference on Wednesday to prepare for a Sunday summit of national leaders that may include a virtual signing ceremony. Ministers in Vietnam and Indonesia said they expected a deal.
Covering almost a third of global economic output, RCEP will create unified rules of origin across much of the region to replace a mishmash of bilateral trade deals.
Analysts said the deal marked a big step towards economic integration and would further diminish US influence in the region after President Donald…