TOKYO: After last night's congratulations, Asia's three largest economies are counting on the Obama administration to maintain the free trade regime despite the global economic downturn.

'It is in such difficult times that the free trade system must be upheld. That is our biggest expectation of the new US administration,' said Japan's economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano.

Referring to how protectionism spread worldwide following the Great Depression of 1929, the minister added: 'We hope the new administration will consider how it can smoothen global trade ties and capital transactions.'

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.