Southeast Asia
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ASEAN-EU strategic partnership: a new path of upgraded relations
Under the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Brussels tightened relations with ASEAN agreeing on a Strategic Partnership. Current trade agreements negotiations with several ASEAN countries and the EP push for a region-to-region FTA give a glimpse...
As the US sanctions Myanmar’s military leaders, the EU needs to step up its response
European leaders were quick to condemn the coup in Myanmar. Now the EU needs to follow up with concrete actions, writes Paul Donowitz.Promoted content
Cambodia: Between COVID-19 and EBA Withdrawal
For Cambodia, the impact of COVID-19 is similar to a simulation of the possible withdrawal of the EU-driven Everything But Arms (EBA) trade scheme. In the current situation, if EBA is to be withdrawn, it would signify "a nail in the coffin" of the already dying garment industry, the country's biggest employer, writes Sim Vireak.
ASEM comes to town
Apart from the UN General Assembly, the biggest gathering of world leaders takes place in Brussels this week, the biannual Asia-Europe meeting, known as ASEM. Representing two-thirds of the world’s population, trade and GDP, Europe and Asia have lots to discuss, writes Fraser Cameron.Promoted content
ASEAN can show the way for Europe on Trade
From Kuala Lumpur, the global trading system currently resembles a high-stakes poker game played by giants – China, the US and the EU. ASEAN as a region feels almost like an outlier, writes Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor.
They talk of war but it’s their own citizens these ‘strong’ men fear most
In the current geopolitical context, European support for those fighting for human dignity is more important than ever, writes Shada Islam.
A European view of Trump’s China visit
The ‘America First’ policy of Donald Trump leaves a big window of opportunity for the EU in Asia, writes Geoffrey Harris.
Asia wants a stronger global role for Europe
Given the unpredictability surrounding the future of US foreign policy, many Asian countries are beating a path to Brussels to shore up their relations with the EU, which remains the strongest supporter of the multilateral system, writes Fraser Cameron.
Thai exiled activist: Royal succession is an abyss for human rights
The EU suspended Free Trade Agreement talks with Thailand after its military coup. Now into its third year under dictatorship following the coup d'état on May 22, 2014, things are likely to get worse before they get better, writes Jaran Ditapichai.
Will Brexit harm EU trade deals?
The UK took the plunge into the unknown and is dragging everyone along with it. Just as the EU and global markets were slowly getting back on track after years of economic recession, economic chaos this time has arrived via popular vote, writes Nelly Stratieva.
EU free trade deal will trap Vietnam in low-wage, low-skill cycle
The EU Ombudsman criticised the Commission this month for failing to provide an audit of how its Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam would affect human rights before signing off the deal. Ruth Kelly, explains how it will trap Vietnam in a low-profit-low-wage cycle.
Does the new EU trade communication deserve to be called a ‘strategy’?
The new EU trade strategy, Trade For All, seeks to please everybody, but fails to confront the most difficult issues ahead of EU trade policy, argues Iana Dreyer.