Danish EU official Ditte Juul Jørgensen led the European side of trade talks with ASEAN in Manila on Tuesday, 22 September.
Jørgensen, Director-General for Trade and Economic Security at the European Commission, co-chaired the meeting on behalf of EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. Philippine Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque led the ASEAN side.
Progress on digital trade principles
The meeting focused on digital trade, the green transition and more resilient supply chains. ASEAN and the EU also reported progress towards finalising their joint Digital Trade Principles.
The proposed principles will provide a common framework for cooperation on digital trade. However, they will not create legally binding obligations. Officials were asked to continue their work and complete the principles as soon as possible.
Both sides also backed the continued implementation of the ASEAN–EU Trade and Investment Work Programme for 2026–2027. The programme covers areas including sustainable trade, digitalisation and regional economic integration.
At the same meetings in Manila, the EU-ASEAN Business Council called for a new region-to-region economic framework between ASEAN and the EU. Its chairman, Jens Ruebbert, said such a framework could serve as a roadmap towards a future ASEAN–EU free trade agreement.
EU was ASEAN’s largest source of investment
According to preliminary ASEAN figures, trade in goods between ASEAN and the EU reached USD 318.8 billion in 2025.
EU investment in ASEAN amounted to USD 31.3 billion during the same year. This made the EU ASEAN’s largest source of foreign direct investment and its third-largest trading partner.
Jørgensen became Director-General for Trade and Economic Security on 1 June 2026. She previously headed the European Commission’s energy department.
The details were published in ASEAN’s joint statement from the meeting.
