Negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement

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The Vietnamese delegation joined virtually meeting on May 9, VNA reported.

The discussion was chaired by the Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry. It created a favorable foundation for the next rounds of negotiations, towards the signing of the second protocol to upgrade the ATIGA during the 47th ASEAN Summit, slated for November 2025 in Malaysia, noted Minister Nguyen Hong Dien.

Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Nguyen Hong Dien led a Vietnamese delegation to the second Special ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting on negotiations for upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) (Photo: VNA).

He also supported the early conclusion of the ATIGA upgrade negotiations and praised the positive results done by the ATIGA Upgrade Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) and technical groups in recent times. Using this opportunity, the Vietnamese minister shared Vietnam’s views on the proposals from the TNC Chair and called on the members to continue promoting intra-ASEAN solidarity, working together to resolve the existing differences based on balanced interests, towards a feasible, effective, and sustainable upgraded ATIGA for all parties.

Also at the discussion, the members emphasized that upgrading the ATIGA would send positive signals to the business community about ASEAN’s strong commitment to regional economic integration through reducing trade barriers, facilitating trade cooperation, and improving supply chain connectivity; and affirm ASEAN's support for an open, transparent, and rule-based multilateral trade system. After 14 official negotiation sessions, ASEAN countries have now completed nearly 98% of the negotiation process.

The TNC Chair briefed participants on the outstanding issues in several areas, such as rules of origin, refurbished goods, transparency, further tariff liberalization, the effective term of the upgraded ATIGA; and provided recommendations to address these issues.

Based on the TNC Chair's report, the ministers proposed necessary directives towards a flexible, practical, and mutually beneficial solution, thereby reaffirming their commitment to completing the negotiations and signing the upgraded ATIGA in accordance with the plan agreed upon by all parties.

Vietnam became a ASEAN member in 1995 and began following the CEPT/AFTA in 1996, and later the ATIGA. Under this agreement, ASEAN countries grant each other preferential treatment equivalent to or more favourable than the benefits given to partner countries in the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) ASEAN has signed. Beyond tariff commitments, the ATIGA also covers a wide range of areas, including the elimination of non-tariff barriers, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs, standards and conformity, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

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