malaysia, regional trade agreements, international trade law, geopolitics, multilateral trading system.

As a developing southeast asian state, malaysia actively engages in regional trade agreements (rtas), such as asean free trade area (afta), comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership (cptpp), and asean-china free trade area (acfta), to pursue economic and geopolitical goals. however, these agreements present challenges due to legal complexities, geopolitical dynamics, and economic consequences. this research explores malaysia’s strategic involvement in rtas, focusing on their development, legal frameworks, geopolitical implications, and economic impacts. this study utilizes a doctrinal legal research methodology to analyze primary and secondary sources, including legal documents, treaties, and scholarly publications, with the goal of uncovering significant themes, recurring patterns, and deeper insights. the findings indicate that although malaysia participates in regional trade agreements (rtas) to bolster economic resilience and foster regional integration, their effective management is challenged by constantly evolving geopolitical dynamics and uncertainties. this study contributes to ongoing discussions on regionalism and multilateralism within the global trade system.

malaysia, regional trade agreements, international trade law, geopolitics, multilateral trading system.

as a developing southeast asian state, malaysia actively engages in regional trade agreements (rtas), such as asean free trade area (afta), comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership (cptpp), and asean-china free trade area (acfta), to pursue economic and geopolitical goals. however, these agreements present challenges due to legal complexities, geopolitical dynamics, and economic consequences. this research explores malaysia’s strategic involvement in rtas, focusing on their development, legal frameworks, geopolitical implications, and economic impacts. this study utilizes a doctrinal legal research methodology to analyze primary and secondary sources, including legal documents, treaties, and scholarly publications, with the goal of uncovering significant themes, recurring patterns, and deeper insights. the findings indicate that although malaysia participates in regional trade agreements (rtas) to bolster economic resilience and foster regional integration, their effective management is challenged by constantly evolving geopolitical dynamics and uncertainties. this study contributes to ongoing discussions on regionalism and multilateralism within the global trade system.