EU-Asean trade relations – where next?

ASEAN is decidedly back on the map for the EU, and it should be. Not only is it a high-growth, dynamic region, but Asean is also a natural bedfellow of the EU when it comes to upholding a rules-based global economic order.

Diplomatic relations between the two regions were reaffirmed and strengthened following the success of the Asean-EU Commemorative Summit last December. On the trade side, the strong show of support from government officials on both sides at the 10th Asean-EU Business Summit, which we organised, further drove home the point that there is commitment to deepen economic ties.

Unfortunately, despite the elevation to a “strategic partnership”, this relationship is often rocky with several irritants at play.