B1 – 6.5.5.

Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries have (1) the world's biggest free trade deal. It is called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The countries (2) 10 Southeast Asian economies (3) with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. These countries (4) for around 30 per cent of the global economy. The idea for the RCEP started in 2012. The governments have been (5) to each other since then. China was key in (6) the deal forward to help economies during the coronavirus pandemic. An economics (7) said: "COVID-19 has reminded the region of why trade matters and governments are more (8) than ever to have positive economic growth."