ASEAN-China FTA Upgrade 2025 Strengthens Trade and Digital Cooperation

ASEAN-China FTA upgrade 2025 was signed in Malaysia, expanding the pact with new chapters on the digital and green economy and modern industries. ASEAN remains China’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting USD771bn in 2024. The enhanced “3.0” agreement follows negotiations that began in 2022 and concluded in May, building on the original 2010 framework. The upgraded free-trade agreement is expected to boost cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and technology while helping Beijing counterbalance US tariffs. Both ASEAN and China are also members of RCEP, covering 30% of global GDP. The deal was inked at a summit attended by US President Donald Trump.