EU nearing bilateral trade deals with six ASEAN states by mid-2027

The EU is close to bilateral trade deals with six of 11 ASEAN members by mid-2027 if deadlines hold. Pacts with Singapore and Vietnam are already in force; Indonesia aims to sign in October for early 2027 implementation; and talks with Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines are near completion. EU–Southeast Asia goods trade reached €274.9 billion last year, up about 6%, while a full EU–ASEAN bloc agreement remains distant.