On May 9, 2025, the second ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Special Meeting on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) Upgrade Negotiations was held virtually. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry chaired the meeting, with the participation of ASEAN Economic Ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
Vietnam’s delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, along with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, and other units within the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The meeting took place amid a dynamic and unpredictable global trading environment. Therefore, the ASEAN Economic Ministers shared the view that concluding the ATIGA upgrade negotiations would send positive signals to the business community about ASEAN’s strong commitment to regional economic integration through trade barrier reduction, trade facilitation, and supply chain connectivity improvement. It also affirmed ASEAN’s support for an open, transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system.
At the meeting, the ASEAN Economic Ministers appreciated the efforts of the ATIGA Upgrade Negotiating Committee (TNC) and technical groups during the negotiation process. They acknowledged that after 14 official negotiation sessions, the ASEAN countries had completed nearly 98% of the negotiation agenda.
The TNC Chair also reported to the Ministers on outstanding issues in areas such as rules of origin, refurbished goods, transparency, further tariff liberalization, and the effectiveness of the upgraded ATIGA. Recommendations were made to address these issues.
Based on the TNC Chair’s report, the Ministers provided necessary directions toward a flexible, practical, and mutually beneficial conclusion to the negotiations. They reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing the negotiations and signing the upgraded ATIGA according to the agreed plan.
Representing Vietnam, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien supported the early conclusion of the ATIGA upgrade negotiations and applauded the positive results achieved by the TNC and technical groups.
Minister Dien shared Vietnam’s perspectives on the TNC Chair’s proposals and demonstrated maximum flexibility on outstanding issues to advance the negotiation process. He called on ASEAN countries to uphold the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and work together to resolve remaining differences based on balancing interests, aiming for an upgraded ATIGA that is feasible, effective, and sustainable for all parties.
The meeting laid a favorable foundation for the subsequent negotiation rounds, aiming to sign the Second Protocol to Upgrade ATIGA during the 47th ASEAN Summit expected in November 2025 in Malaysia.
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