RCEP Empowers High-Quality Development of China’s Foreign Trade: Mechanisms and Countermeasures

Against the backdrop of profound adjustments in the global economic landscape and a rising tide of anti-globalization, the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) presents a historic opportunity for China’s high-quality development of foreign trade. This paper systematically explores the mechanisms and policy responses through which RCEP empowers China’s high-quality trade growth. The study shows that RCEP functions through five interrelated and progressively reinforcing mechanisms-cost reduction, division enhancement, structure optimization, innovation strengthening, and security safeguarding. Tariff concessions and cumulative rules of origin directly lower trade costs; free flow of factors deepens regional industrial specialization and value chain upgrading; the unified market and high-standard rules guide trade structure toward high-tech and green orientation; intellectual property and e‑commerce provisions incentivize innovation and drive institutional opening; diversified market access and supply chain coordination enhance resilience against risks. Based on these findings, the paper proposes a three‑tiered policy framework: governments should improve top‑level design, strengthen rule dissemination and internationalize the business environment; industry associations ought to build information platforms, promote joint standard setting, and ensure self‑discipline and coordination; enterprises must proactively optimize supply chain layouts, increase R&D investment, and diversify markets. Through synergy of mechanisms and collaboration among stakeholders, RCEP is poised to become a key institutional lever for China’s transformation from a large trading nation to a trading power, offering a practical pathway for building a new paradigm of open economy.