The EU is intensively promoting the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, aiming to reduce dependence on the US.

Jin10 reported on September 25 that EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stated that the EU hopes to reach a free trade agreement with Malaysia and two other ASEAN member countries before the 50th anniversary of relations with ASEAN in 2027. Dombrovskis explained this timeline to Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri during the ASEAN Economic Ministers' meeting held in Kuala Lumpur. Recently, to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the United States, the EU has accelerated negotiations with countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, while also strengthening consultations with India and completing negotiations with the South American common market. In addition, Dombrovskis will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Kuala Lumpur this week in an attempt to restart long-stalled negotiations to drop the EU's export tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products.