Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
With reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, consider the following statements : 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is option D (Neither 1 nor 2) because both statements are incorrect.
Statement 1 is incorrect because the TPP was signed by only 12 specific Pacific Rim countries[2], not all Pacific Rim countries. The 12 TPP members were Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam[1]. This list notably excludes several Pacific Rim nations beyond just China and Russia, such as South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and others.
Statement 2 is incorrect because the TPP was designed to eliminate and reduce trade barriers and covered multiple areas including trade in goods, rules of origin,[3] trade remedies, technical[4] barriers to trade, trade in services, intellectual property, government procurement, and competition policy. It was a comprehensive economic and trade agreement, not a strategic alliance limited to maritime security purposes.
Therefore, since both statements are incorrect, option D is the correct answer.
Sources- [1] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/402861490788215893/pdf/113852-PUB-PUBLIC-PUBDATE-3-1-2017.pdf
- [2] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/402861490788215893/pdf/113852-PUB-PUBLIC-PUBDATE-3-1-2017.pdf
- [4] https://belonging.berkeley.edu/TPP-report
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Headline Awareness' question. You didn't need to memorize all 12 members, just the fundamental nature (Trade vs Security) and the scope (Selective vs Universal). It rewards understanding the 'gist' of major geopolitical shifts over rote memorization.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Three of the 12 countries are from LAC—Chile, Mexico, and Peru—and the other nine TPP members include the Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam."
Why this source?
- Explicitly lists all 12 economies that signed the TPP.
- Identifies the three Latin American members and the nine other members by name.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"The TPP has its roots in the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPSEP or P4), a comprehensive agreement between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore"
Why this source?
- Describes the TPP's roots in the earlier P4 agreement.
- Names Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore—confirming these countries' involvement in the TPP negotiations.
- Explicitly lists all 12 economies that signed the TPP.
- Identifies the three Latin American members and the nine other members by name.
- Describes the TPP's roots in the earlier P4 agreement.
- Names Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore—confirming these countries' involvement in the TPP negotiations.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) > p. 550
Strength: 5/5
“• It is a regional economic forum of 21 countries on the Pacific Rim. It was established in ۰ 1989 and aims to promote inclusive growth, greater prosperity and free trade in the Asia-Pacific region.• It is headquartered in Singapore.”
Why relevant
Defines APEC as a 21-country 'Pacific Rim' forum — indicates a common pool of Asia‑Pacific countries that typically appear in regional trade pacts.
How to extend
A student can compare TPP membership against the list of Pacific‑Rim/APEC economies (using a map or APEC list) to identify likely TPP members from that geographic set.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 13: International Organizations > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) > p. 394
Strength: 4/5
“Countries in East Asia region have thriving trade and economic relations with each other through free trade agreements. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has free trade agreements with six partners namely China (ACFTA), Republic of Korea (AKFTA), Japan (AJCEP), India (AIFTA) as well as Australia and New Zealand (AANZFTA). In order to broaden and deepen the engagement among parties and to enhance parties' participation in economic development of the region, the leaders of 16 participating countries established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP was built upon the existing ASEAN+1 FTAs with the spirit to strengthen economic linkages and to enhance trade and investment related activities as well as to contribute to minimising development gap among the parties.”
Why relevant
Explains RCEP as built on ASEAN+1 FTAs and lists typical partners (China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand) — showing the recurring set of East Asia / Pacific trade partners.
How to extend
Use the repeated appearance of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, etc., as candidates to check against known TPP participants via a basic map or list of Pacific trade partners.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 18: International Economic Institutions > 2 Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) > p. 551
Strength: 3/5
“• It was formerly known as the Bangkok Agreement.• APTA intends to promote economic development of its members and adopt mutually beneficial trade liberalization practices for regional trade expansion and economic cooperation. It was signed in 1975.• Members: Bangladesh, China, India, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. \mathcal{O}”
Why relevant
Lists members of the Asia‑Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) — demonstrates another grouping of Asia‑Pacific countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, etc.) often considered in regional trade arrangements.
How to extend
A student could cross‑reference these Asia‑Pacific countries with the Pacific‑oriented TPP concept to eliminate inland/non‑Pacific economies and narrow down plausible TPP members.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 17: India’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade > Preferential Trade Area (PTA) > p. 504
Strength: 3/5
“Under this, member countries lower the trade barriers among themselves rather than eliminate the barriers. In PTA, members are independent to create trade relations with non-member countries. This agreement gives preferential access to certain goods.
Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) formed in 1992, South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA) formed in 1981, etc. are examples of PTA.”
Why relevant
Gives the definition and mechanics of a Preferential Trade Area (PTA) where members lower barriers among themselves — relevant because TPP is a preferential/regional trade agreement.
How to extend
Knowing TPP is a PTA‑style agreement, a student can look for Pacific economies that actively conclude PTAs and then verify which of those joined the TPP.
Defines APEC as a 21-country 'Pacific Rim' forum — indicates a common pool of Asia‑Pacific countries that typically appear in regional trade pacts.
A student can compare TPP membership against the list of Pacific‑Rim/APEC economies (using a map or APEC list) to identify likely TPP members from that geographic set.
Explains RCEP as built on ASEAN+1 FTAs and lists typical partners (China, Korea, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand) — showing the recurring set of East Asia / Pacific trade partners.
Use the repeated appearance of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, etc., as candidates to check against known TPP participants via a basic map or list of Pacific trade partners.
Lists members of the Asia‑Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) — demonstrates another grouping of Asia‑Pacific countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Korea, etc.) often considered in regional trade arrangements.
A student could cross‑reference these Asia‑Pacific countries with the Pacific‑oriented TPP concept to eliminate inland/non‑Pacific economies and narrow down plausible TPP members.
Gives the definition and mechanics of a Preferential Trade Area (PTA) where members lower barriers among themselves — relevant because TPP is a preferential/regional trade agreement.
Knowing TPP is a PTA‑style agreement, a student can look for Pacific economies that actively conclude PTAs and then verify which of those joined the TPP.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.