free trade

Asean needs to go well beyond the AEC

BEIJING (Jan 25): Just as the US throws up new barriers to cross-border commerce, its largest trading partner China is redoubling its efforts to seal free-trade agreements.

(May 22): Asia-Pacific trade ministers issued a diluted “actions” statement after a weekend meeting in Vietnam, suggesting further pressure from the U.S. to avoid explicit pledges to combat protectionism.

BEIJING (May 15): President Xi Jinping laid the framework for Chinese-style globalization and his ambition to lead it during a speech inaugurating his cornerstone diplomatic trade initiative for a new Silk Road.

SINGAPORE (April 18): Schroders’ Chief Economist & Strategist Keith Wade says populist policies to restrict trade and migration are likely to lead to stagflation which could impact Asia and the emerging markets (EM).

HONG KONG (Feb 15): Everything old is new again when it comes to trade deals.

LIMA, PERU (Nov 21): Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific nations ended their annual summit Sunday with a call to resist protectionism amid signs of increased free-trade skepticism, highlighted by the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election.