China signs expanded version of FTA with Southeast Asian countries in the face of Trump's protectionism

Published at: 28/10/2025 05:31 PM

The People's Republic of China signed an expanded version of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday.

The Chinese Prime Minister, Li Qiang, said that the initiative seeks to expand economic ties as an alternative to the protectionist policies of the President of the United States (USA), Donald Trump.

Qiang said that closer cooperation can help overcome global economic uncertainties, and stressed that “seeking confrontation rather than solidarity does not bring any benefit.” He emphasized that “unity makes strength”.

The signing on the ASEAN-China Free Trade Zone 3.0 was led by Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs ASEAN this year. In addition, this is the third revision of the old agreement, which was signed for the first time in 2002 and came into force in 2010.

According to international media, this free trade area covers a combined market of more than two billion people, reduces tariffs on goods and boosts flows of services and investments.

Mazo News Team/VTV