China, ASEAN sign enhanced free trade pact amid Trump tariffs
Summary
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed an upgraded free trade agreement to strengthen their economic ties. The deal, signed during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, aims to expand cooperation in several areas between China and ASEAN countries. This comes as the U.S. continues to impose tariffs on global trade under President Trump.Key Facts
- China and ASEAN signed an upgraded free trade agreement at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
- The deal is called the "3.0 version" and focuses on infrastructure, digital and green initiatives, trade facilitation, and cultural exchanges.
- ASEAN and China have become each other's largest trade partners, with trade reaching $785 billion in the first nine months of 2025.
- China's State Council describes the new agreement as expanding economic cooperation with ASEAN.
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended the signing ceremony.
- President Trump signed trade deals with Cambodia and Malaysia and framework agreements with Thailand and Vietnam at the same summit.
- Trump has imposed tariffs on China as part of a trade war, which prompted China and ASEAN to strengthen their trade relations.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.