The article compares how Latin America and Asia-Pacific countries work together on trade agreements. They look at how these regions cooperate and what rules they follow. The researchers want to understand why these regions are joining forces and how deep their agreements go. They also want to know why these regions call their agreements 'open regionalism'. The study shows that these regions are working together more than before and are trying to integrate their economies. They are also making sure their agreements follow the rules of the World Trade Organization.