This project explores how small states conduct their economic statecraft (ES) and counter major powers’ ES in the multilateral settings. It seeks to shed light on the question: “How do small states tweak the details of multilateral governance frameworks to advance their ES and lessen major powers’ ES?” The case of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was selected to demonstrate how small states alter the details of these frameworks to advance their ES and counter other powers’ ES in the realms of international trade. This work enhances our broad understandings of small states’ power and regional economic institutional-building, and provides practical lessons for policymakers involved in fostering international economic governance.