ASEAN ministers agree to implement upgraded goods trade pact by end of 2026

At the ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines, from September 19 to 22, 2026, economic ministers agreed to accelerate the implementation of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to the end of 2026, instead of the original June 2027 date. The decision was announced by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. The upgraded pact aims to reduce trade barriers and improve goods movement across Southeast Asia. Ministers also laid groundwork for reviewing the services trade agreement and discussed plans for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, expected to be signed in November 2026.