The success of the Asean-China Free Trade Area in helping to boost business amid Beijing’s tariff dispute with the United States bodes well for the upcoming talks on the creation of a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), analysts say.
ASEAN became China’s second-largest trading partner in the first two quarters of 2019, overtaking the US for the first time since 1997.
Six ambassadors representing the Asean Committee in Stockholm (ACS) recently engaged Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Ann Linde in a dialogue.
Thailand is looking to expand its exports by selling electrical and electronic products to Asean countries, especially Laos.
THE Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) have launched the Vietnam-Singapore Business Council (VSBC) to broaden their strategic cooperation.
Việt Nam’s tra fish exports to Southeast Asian countries were worth US$87.3 million in the first five months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 14.6 per cent, according to the Việt Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) was satisfied with negotiations over ASEAN trade facilitation procedures, in which all members agreed to form and implement guidelines on non-tariff measures, said the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
As storm clouds hang over the global economy, Asean is perceived as one of the fastest growing and more stable economic regions. This presents an opportunity to strengthen relationships with other partners, such as through China's Belt and Road Initiative and the US-initiated Free and Open Indo Pacific Plan, which is backed by Australia, India and Japan.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
