ISDS Case Map
ASEAN
It is now certain that negotiations to conclude the agreement will spill over to the next year, due to disagreements over reduction of duties on palm oil.
Brussels and Washington have taken steps toward free-trade agreements with ASEAN, but they could be stopped in their tracks if the destination was a deal that had to include Myanmar.
Chinese business associations should help local firms make the most of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement, said Xu Ningning of the China-ASEAN Business Council. "Most Chinese companies are not aware of the FTA, let alone translating it into real benefits."
Although the commodity trade agreement came into effect in July 2005 and the one on service trade this July, many serious issues still need to be worked out. For example, Chinese auto parts can't enter Thailand because of the restrictions by the Auto Association of Thailand. Neither can readymade Chinese garments enter Indonesia as its Clothes Chamber won't allow it.
Myanmar's political crisis should not be used an excuse to hold up a proposed free trade pact between Europe and Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia's trade minister has said.
Thailand will be able to export more boiled chicken to EU, Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, permanent secretary for Commerce, said.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Monday released the Nanning Joint Statement to strengthen collaboration on food safety.
China's Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan Sunday pushed for an early conclusion of talks on a China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade area investment agreement to expand mutual investment.
There's still a long way to go before Asean and the United States can ink a free trade agreement (FTA), but trade representatives from both sides are hoping that next month's Asean Summit will enable them to move the process forward.
China has started construction of a bonded harbor area that will form part of a future free trade zone with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
