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ASEAN's Trade With Europe: The Costs and Trials of Doing Business, Sonic AI
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ASEAN's Trade With Europe: The Costs and Trials of Doing Business
Beyond the Mekong
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Apr 28, 2026
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30:34
Interview
ASEAN's Trade With Europe: The Costs and Trials of Doing Business
From
Beyond the Mekong
Chris Humphrey
(Executive Director, European Union Asian Business Council, guest)
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Executive Summary
The EU is making significant progress on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with major ASEAN economies, with Indonesia's deal expected to be ratified by year-end and negotiations with the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia advancing.
Illicit trade is a major economic drain on Southeast Asia, valued at approximately $35 billion and causing an estimated $6 billion annual revenue loss for governments, prompting increased collaboration to combat it.
Despite ambitions for a single market, ASEAN's economic integration is hampered by rising non-tariff barriers and slow customs, though it is pioneering a world-first regional digital economy framework.
Geopolitical factors, including Middle East conflicts and reputational damage from scam centers in countries like Cambodia, are creating supply chain disruptions, inflation, and investment risks across the region.
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