Because Mexico was exempt under a regional trade agreement, carmakers figured they could just ship more vehicles from their Mexican factories.

FORBES: Why The World's Automakers Love Brazil

It is possible that the move towards regionalism creates an impetus towards liberalisation in countries that are excluded from a regional trade agreement.

ECONOMIST: Do regional trade agreements encourage free trade?

America is pursuing a regional trade agreement for the Americas, has signed bilateral deals with Chile and Singapore, has begun bilateral talks with 14 other countries, and promises many more.

ECONOMIST: World trade talks

Since sweeping to power in 2009, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan has flip-flopped on its own Okinawa base policy, and the new agreement underscores the government's failure to garner support for its key domestic policies, which also include a sales tax and efforts to join a regional trade agreement.

WSJ: U.S., Japan Scale Back Plan to Move Base

Translation: Japan should give priority to and focus first on the talks being promoted by Beijing to create a regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which would closely bind China, Japan, and Korea.

FORBES: China, TPP and Japan's Future in Asia

The government tried to enter talks on a regional free-trade agreement last year, but was pushed back by farmers, opposition politicians and even its own party.

ECONOMIST: Japan's disaster and business reform

President Barack Obama said in Tokyo the U.S. will restart talks to potentially take part in a regional Asia-Pacific free trade agreement known as the Trans Pacific Partnership that currently includes Singapore, Brunei, Chile and New Zealand.

WSJ: U.S. to 'Engage' in Asia-Pacific Free Trade Pact

Yesterday, May 9, representatives of Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the ten countries of ASEAN convened in Brunei for the inaugural negotiation of what is hoped will become by 2015 the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement.

FORBES: Connect

"The United States will also be engaging with the Trans Pacific Partnership countries with the goal of shaping a regional agreement that will have broad-based membership and the high standards worthy of a 21st century trade agreement, " Mr. Obama said.

WSJ: U.S. to 'Engage' in Asia-Pacific Free Trade Pact

We also noted the development of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as a high-standard agreement, which will boost trade and investment and promote regional economic integration throughout the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

WHITEHOUSE: Joint Statement of the 4th ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Meeting