Strengthening regional trade, cooperating with friendly partners, and maximising the utilisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement are among the strategies that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping will pursue to counter the negative impact of trade tensions. In a joint communique released during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur today, the grouping has underscored the importance of a predictable, transparent, inclusive, free, fair, sustainable and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its core.

They also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to enhancing regional resilience and competitiveness through the upgrading of the ASEAN Trade In Goods Agreement, ensuring the substantial conclusion of the negotiations of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement​ to support digital transformation, enhancing interoperability and unlocking new economic opportunities.