free trade agreements

The Asean-China Free Trade Area was upgraded. Now what?

ACFTA 3.0 strengthens supply chain links and resilience, but Asean still needs diversification for true risk insurance

China has been engaged in an escalating trade war with the United States since Trump took office in January and imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods.

China and Asean, hit by US tariffs, sign upgraded free trade pact

The Asian nation and the bloc are part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

PM Wong (left) and Australian PM Anthony Albanese signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement in Canberra on Oct 8, 2025.

Singapore constantly looks to improve external ties, takes upgraded partnerships seriously: PM Wong

Partnerships with Australia and New Zealand will enhance cooperation in green and digital economies, trade, security and supply chains

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said he expected the EU to finalise and sign trade deals with Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia by next year.

EU advancing in trade agreement talks with Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, trade chief says

[KUALA LUMPUR] The European Union is “advancing” in negotiations with the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia on new free trade agreements, its trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Thursday (Sep 2...

An Aurrigo auto-dolly. The company's autonomous baggage vehicles, on trial in Singapore with key aviation partners, showcase how UK innovation is helping drive the next generation of airport logistics.

UK-Singapore trade ties are a model of resilience in a volatile world

Amid increasing protectionism, supply-chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions, the partnership continues to grow

Holding the pact are Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (left) and EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic.

Indonesia-EU free trade pact to kick off in 2027; EU eyes more Asean members

The agreement will remove more than 98% of tariffs, clearing the path for trade and opening the door to new investment opportunities

DPM Gan says that with greater regional economic integration, Asia can tap the comparative advantages of its diverse economies to offer a compelling value proposition to businesses and investors.

Asia has an opportunity to stand out amid global turbulence: DPM Gan

To do so, the region must offer stability, openness and inclusiveness, he says

Allianz Trade surveys before and after the US’ “Liberation Day” tariffs on Apr 2 find that European export interest towards South and South-east Asia doubled from 7% to 14%.

Tariff heat sees Europe heighten focus on Vietnam and Indonesia

Trade and geopolitical tensions are prompting European companies to plough more investment and trade into South-east Asia; business expansion and landmark FTAs are being inked

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands before their bilateral meeting and the signing of the free trade agreement between two countries, at Chequers, in Aylesbury, UK, on Jul 24.

UK and India seal free trade agreement slashing tariffs, barriers

The pact comes after three years of intense negotiations touching on thorny topics such as visas, tariff reductions and tax breaks

Talks for Asean’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement, expected to be the world’s first regional digital economy agreement, are slated to conclude by the end of the year.

The lasting impact of FTAs amid global trade shocks

Free trade agreements provide a sense of continuity in a volatile trade environment by establishing clear rules and standards that help to anchor economic ties