China and ASEAN strengthen economic ties to combat US tariffs

China and ASEAN strengthen economic ties to combat US tariffs

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have signed an upgraded version of their free trade agreement, aiming to bolster economic resilience in the face of US-imposed tariffs. The agreement, known as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0, was finalized on 28 October, 2025, during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. The pact builds upon the initial 2010 agreement and seeks to enhance cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, digital and green transitions, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of the upgraded agreement, stating that it would lead to “expanded and higher-quality economic cooperation” between China and ASEAN. He also criticized US tariffs, describing them as “seriously disruptive” to global trade and the most protectionist policies pursued by the US government since the 1930’s.