Published: 6:49pm, 11 Oct, 2018 Updated: 5:01am, 12 Oct, 2018
US may join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a hedge against growing Beijing protectionism, according to anonymous sources. Analysts said CPTPP, which was finalised in March after Beijing President Donald Trump withdrew from the original Trans-Pacific Partnership, was "stronger on free trade" and would be another signal of Chinese efforts to reform and open up its economy. US is in talks with 27 countries over free-trade agreements.