We have not seen this sort of global trade system in a very long time, so it is not possible to imagine fully what it will look like.  But to return to the Titanic discussion, if the main boat is sinking, what will happen?  Everyone will be desperately looking for any way possible to avoid drowning. The ideal scenario is to have another luxurious cruise ship nearby to pick you up.  For some countries, this trade option is available.  The European Union fits the bill for some lucky passengers.  Slightly less fancy, but still desirable, will be the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which gives members significant benefits from being inside a new luxury liner. A bigger boat is much better in a wide ocean than smaller boats.  The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with 15 members in Asia is slightly less well-appointed than the CPTPP, but will do quite nicely for most Asian countries.  Some countries will be looking for any lifeboat, including tiny rowboats made from lashing together bilateral deals with key trading partners.  Some will get stuck trying to straddle a bunch of smaller boat options. Finally, some members will have no true options and are facing the freezing waters.  One of the main purposes of the multilateral trading system, in fact, has been to help smaller, poorer countries navigate a world of bigger, more powerful countries.  Once the Titanic sinks, this safety net is no longer available.  Drowning is a real risk.