China and ASEAN, hit by US tariffs, sign upgraded free trade pact
China and the ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement on Tuesday, with leaders hailing the deal which spans the digital and green economy, and other new industries. The 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations is China’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling $771 billion last year, according to ASEAN statistics. China is seeking to intensify its engagement with ASEAN, a region with a collective gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion, to counter hefty import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on countries around the world.
The so-called 3.0 version of the free trade agreement between ASEAN and China was signed into effect at a summit of the bloc’s leaders in Malaysia, which Trump attended on Sunday at the start of a trip through Asia. Negotiations on the upgraded ASEAN-China deal began in November 2022 and concluded in May this year, just after Trump’s tariff offensive kicked into gear. The first FTA came into force in 2010. Both China and ASEAN are part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world’s largest trading bloc, which covers nearly a third of the global population and about 30% of global gross domestic product. Malaysia hosted an RCEP summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the first in five years. The bloc is seen by some analysts as a potential buffer against tariffs imposed by the United States, though its provisions are considered weaker than some other regional trade deals due to competing interests among its members. Source
Cambodia to eliminate all tariffs on US Industrial and Agricultural Goods under new trade deal
The United States and Cambodia have agreed to a trade deal that will provide U.S. exporters with unprecedented access to Cambodia’s market. According to the White House, Cambodia has agreed to eliminate all tariffs on U.S. goods, including food and agricultural products and industrial goods, meaning that U.S. exports to Cambodia will not face a duty. Cambodia has committed to treat U.S. exports fairly, including recognizing U.S. regulatory oversight to ensure that U.S. goods do not need to undergo burdensome additional testing requirements. U.S. exports to Cambodia will no longer face competitive disadvantages vis-à-vis other trading partners.
Key terms of the U.S.-Cambodia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade include:
Tariffs:
- Cambodia has eliminated tariffs on 100 percent of U.S. products exported to Cambodia, creating commercially meaningful market access opportunities for the full range of U.S. exports, supporting high-quality American jobs.
- The United States will maintain a 19 percent reciprocal tariff rate for imports of Cambodia except for identified products from the list set out in Annex III to Executive Order 14346 of September 5, 2025, Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners, which will receive a zero percent reciprocal tariff rate.
- Breaking Down Non-Tariff Barriers for U.S. Industrial Exports: Cambodia has committed to address a range of non-tariff barriers, including by: (1) streamlining and reducing import licensing and regulatory requirements; (2) accepting U.S. manufactured vehicles built to U.S. motor vehicle safety and emissions standards; and (3) accepting U.S. Food and Drug Administration certificates and prior marketing authorizations for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
- Breaking Down Non-Tariff Barriers for U.S. Agriculture Exports: Cambodia has committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural exports in the Cambodian market, including by recognizing U.S. regulatory oversight and accepting certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities, as well as recognizing U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary measures and other measures for food and agricultural products.
- Removing Barriers for Digital Trade, Services, and Investment: Cambodia has made comprehensive commitments on digital trade, services, and investment, including commitments to support a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade
- Organization, ensure the transfer of data across trusted borders for the conduct of business, and refrain from imposing digital services taxes or other discriminatory measures. Source
EU Council clears final step for India-EU free trade deal to be signed by year-end
The Council of the European Union has formally approved a new strategic agenda for relations with India, paving the way for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) expected to be concluded by the end of 2025, according to a statement on the Council’s website. The Council said the proposed pact seeks to create a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial framework that boosts economic cooperation and promotes sustainable growth. The move signals renewed momentum in the India-EU relationship, which has gained pace in recent years as both sides seek closer economic and strategic alignment. Source
EU–Thailand trade talks: Round 7 underway
The EU and Thailand have resumed negotiations this week in their seventh round of trade talks. Discussions focus on goods, services and investment, as well as economic and regulatory cooperation. Step by step, these talks aim to deepen economic ties and lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership.
GCC and UK intensify free trade deal negotiations, discuss establishing new joint action plan
GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi recently met with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle and Minister of State for Trade Affairs Chris Bryant to review the latest developments in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the GCC and the UK. Al-Budaiwi stressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts from both sides and working to align all viewpoints on all remaining matters in the negotiation process. He also noted that the free trade agreement between the GCC and the UK would contribute significantly to enhancing trade and economic relations between the two sides and open new horizons for cooperation in various fields.
During their meeting in London, the officials also reviewed relations between the GCC and the UK under the framework of the Strategic Partnership, and ways to develop and enhance them to serve common interests. They followed up on the latest developments in the free trade agreement negotiations between the GCC and the UK, as well as discussing the establishment of a new joint action plan between the two sides.
The officials also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, most notably the situation in the Gaza Strip. They agreed on the importance of supporting all regional and international efforts for a ceasefire to enhance security and stability in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Source
Malaysia and South Korea complete talks on free trade agreement
Malaysia and South Korea have concluded negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti). The upcoming Malaysia-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (MKFTA) covers goods, services, investments, customs facilitation as well as sanitary and phytosanitary, digital trade, the green economy, bioeconomy and economic cooperation. The MKFTA is set to be Malaysia’s 19th free trade agreement to date as the country moves to diversify its export markets amid global economic uncertainties. Last year, South Korea was Malaysia’s eighth-largest trading partner with a total trade amount of RM109.68 million. Malaysia mainly exports to South Korea electrical and electronics products, liquefied natural gas, and petroleum products. Meanwhile, South Korea ships to Malaysia petroleum products, electrical and electronics products, chemicals, machinery, equipment and parts, and iron and steel products. The agreement with South Korea “guarantees long-term duty-free access” to various products covering the food and agricultural sectors, herbal products and extracts, commodities including palm and cocoa, chemical and petrochemical products, and tropical timber and plywood, Miti said.
The deal agreed with South Korea also has a built-in agenda for economic cooperation and capacity building programmes to further strengthen the development of sectoral capabilities as well as human capital development, Miti said. Both countries also concluded a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation on supply chains.
Switzerland and Japan sign Memorandum of Cooperation in the quantum field
From 29 September to 5 October, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama led a scientific mission to Japan aimed at strengthening bilateral collaboration between the two nations. Link
Entry into force of the EFTA-India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement
The EFTA-India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement will enter into force on 1 October 2025. Link
EU-Morocco - amendments to Protocols 1 and 4 of the Association Agreement
The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols No 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, has been published. Protocol No 1 deals primarily with the rules on trade and tariff cooperation, while Protocol No 4 deals with specific aspects of trade facilitation and liberalisation. The amendments aim to adapt these protocols to the current needs of both parties and to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the application of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.
EU-CELAC - Partnership for Research and Innovation
The European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have adopted a Ministerial Declaration and a new cooperation programme to strengthen the partnership in research and innovation. Through these agreements, the two regions commit to common priorities in the areas of health, climate change, sustainable development, energy transition, digital transformation and advanced technologies, as well as to promote open science and the mobility of researchers.
Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the European Union and the Republic of Ghana on forest law enforcement (FLEGT)
For 30 suspended measures of measure type 770 (Import control of timber and timber products subject to the FLEGT licensing scheme-Ghana) for goods listed in Annex II of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 and in Annex of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/530, originating from the Republic of Ghana, the end of suspension (07.10.2025.) has been integrated today based on article 1 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1201 of 12 June 2025 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/530 as regards its date of application. The measures have been reopened with a start date of 08.10.2025. and without footnote CD 01007 (related to the suspension).
Commission proposes safeguards to strengthen protections for EU farmers in EU-Mercosur deal
The Commission proposed a Regulation to strengthen protections for EU farmers in the context of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA). The proposed safeguards deliver on the guarantees provided to EU farmers under the EMPA legal proposal, sent to EU Member States by the Commission on 3 September. In practice, they provide an additional layer of certainty to EU farmers beyond the carefully calibrated phase-in of targeted quotas that have been agreed with Mercosur for imports in sensitive sectors. In the unlikely event of an unforeseen and harmful surge in imports from Mercosur or an undue decrease in prices for EU producers, swift and effective protections would kick into gear.
The proposal lays down procedures to guarantee the timely and effective implementation of bilateral safeguard measures for agricultural products. It also includes specific provisions as regards certain sensitive agricultural products (listed in the Annex to the regulation) such as beef, poultry, rice, honey, eggs, garlic, ethanol, and sugar.
The specific provisions for sensitive products include enhanced monitoring, clear triggers, and rapid response.
Switzerland and EU sign Amending Protocol to the Agreement on automatic exchange of information in tax matters
On 20 October 2025 in Brussels, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. With the Amending Protocol, the Agreement will be aligned to the amended OECD standard and supplemented with new provisions on administrative assistance for the collection of VAT claims. Link
Switzerland and Greece sign migration agreement
Switzerland has been supporting Greece since 2022 as part of its second contribution in the area of migration. During his visit to Athens on 13 and 14 October, State Secretary for Migration Vincenzo Mascioli signed an agreement with Greece's Minister of Migration Thanos Plevris to continue this support. State Secretary Mascioli also visited projects supported by Switzerland in Athens and on the island of Lesbos, and exchanged views with the Greek migration authorities and representatives of non-governmental organisations. Link
Swiss–EU package: Federal Council proposals for greater involvement of cantons and Parliament
At its meeting on 15 October 2025, the Federal Council discussed measures to strengthen the involvement of the cantons and Parliament in Switzerland's foreign policy on the Swiss–EU package. Next steps for concluding an arrangement with the cantons and expanding information mechanisms for the parliamentary committees were also set out. These proposals will be included in the Federal Council dispatch expected to be submitted to Parliament in March 2026. Link
United States signs rare earth minerals deal with Japan ahead of China meeting
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a framework agreement to cooperate on critical minerals, as the United States seeks to limit dependency on China for the materials, which are essential components in everything from cellphones to jet engines. Trump inked the agreement two days before he is scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the leaders will seek to stabilize their economic relationship following months of a tit-for-tat trade war. China has leveraged its dominance of rare earth minerals amid the negotiations, announcing earlier this month that it would dramatically expand export restrictions on them. At a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace, less than a week after she was named prime minister and immediately thrust into high-level diplomatic engagements, Takaichi faced a key test of whether she could build inroads with the American president as the countries grapple with the threat of China, security commitments and trade tensions. Trump indicated that Japan had agreed to increase its defense spending following pressure from his administration, but he did not respond when asked about the specific amount he was seeking. Source
US, Vietnam agree to boost trade, tariffs on some Vietnamese goods may be removed
The United States and Vietnam will finalise a trade agreement in the coming weeks that will maintain 20% tariffs on most Vietnamese goods but lift duties on certain products that will be decided at a later stage, the White House said on Sunday. In return Vietnam committed to offering "preferential access" for most all U.S. goods. The two countries have agreed to a framework for the agreement on "reciprocal, fair and balanced" trade between the two nations, the countries said in a joint statement released by the White House.
U.S. President Donald Trump in July announced that the United States would place a 20% tariff on many Vietnamese products, as well as a 40% levy on trans-shipments through Vietnam from third countries.
U.S. TARIFFS TO FALL TO ZERO ON SOME VIETNAM PRODUCTS In the new deal, the United States will maintain its tariff rate on Vietnamese goods at 20%, but will identify products where the levy can be reduced to zero. Source