ASEAN economic ministers push for upgrades to ATIGA

On the morning of May 9, 2025, the second special AEM meeting on ATIGA upgrade negotiations was held virtually under the chairmanship of Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry. The meeting gathered ASEAN Economic Ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General. Vietnam’s delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, and other relevant units.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a fast-changing and unpredictable global trade environment. ASEAN Economic Ministers shared the view that finalizing the upgraded ATIGA would send a strong signal to the business community about ASEAN's firm commitment to regional economic integration. This includes reducing trade barriers, facilitating trade, enhancing supply chain connectivity, and reinforcing support for an open, transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system.

The second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting on the Negotiations to Upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

At the meeting, the Ministers commended the efforts of the Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) and technical working groups for their progress in the negotiations. Notably, after 14 formal rounds, ASEAN member states have completed nearly 98% of the negotiation workload.

The TNC Chair updated the Ministers on outstanding issues in areas such as rules of origin, refurbished goods, transparency, further tariff liberalization, and the entry-into-force clause of the upgraded agreement. Recommendations were also made to address these challenges.

Based on the TNC Chair’s report, the Ministers provided guidance aimed at achieving a flexible, practical, and mutually beneficial conclusion to the negotiations. They reaffirmed their commitment to completing and signing the upgraded ATIGA as planned.

Representing Vietnam, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien voiced strong support for the early conclusion of the ATIGA upgrade and praised the TNC and technical groups for their active contributions. After sharing Vietnam’s views on the TNC Chair’s proposals and expressing maximum flexibility on the remaining issues to help move negotiations forward, the Minister called on member countries to uphold the ASEAN spirit of solidarity. He emphasized the importance of resolving outstanding differences based on balanced interests, aiming for a feasible, effective, and sustainable upgraded agreement for all parties.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien led the delegation to attend the conference.

The meeting concluded successfully on the morning of May 9, 2025, providing positive momentum for upcoming negotiation rounds. The goal is to finalize and sign the Second Protocol to amend ATIGA during the 47th ASEAN Summit, expected to be held in November 2025 in Malaysia.