The upgrade seeks to modernise the the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) framework, making it more facilitative for businesses and responsive to regional and global challenges.
If the US continues to impose a high tariff after a 90-day postponement, importers with deep pockets in Malaysia will pay the extra tariffs in addition to additional levies, but small companies without sizeable cash or liquidity will not pick up the goods and will leave them stranded at ports.
ASEAN and its dialogue partners have been able to describe and lament the risks inherent in the tariff wars but have not been able to put into effect concrete, coordinated steps to avert further crisis.
Thailand is among the Southeast Asian nations hardest hit by measures introduced by US President Donald Trump, facing a tariff of up to 36% on its exports if a reduction cannot be negotiated before a global moratorium expires in July.
Boosting domestic renewable energy generation will protect the green technology industry of Southeast Asian nations and mitigate the potential impact of steep import tariffs imposed by the United States on solar panels from the region, analysts said.
ASEAN has remained Yunnan's largest trading partner for 20 consecutive years.
Southeast Asian countries should accelerate their energy transition and boost domestic solar demand to mitigate the potential effect of steep US tariffs on solar panels imported from the region, analysts say.
ASEAN currently stands as Brazil's fourth-largest trading partner, reflecting the growing importance of the bloc in the country's international relations and economic strategy.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
