Throwback of the ASEANcham EU seminar on Global Trade and the EU-ASEAN Relationship at the UBI Business School in Brussels on 13 November 2025

“What does the new global order mean for ASEAN-EU trade and economic relations?”

On Thursday 13 November 2025, ASEANcham EU and UBI Business School organised a seminar on Global Trade, focusing on the impact of the current geopolitical situation on the trade relationship between the EU and ASEAN. UBI Business School has a marvellous reputation as an international business school and is strategically located in Brussels, the capital of the European Union.

The attendance exceeded expectations; the ambassadors of Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor Leste attended with large delegations of diplomats. Other delegates were renowned academics such as of the University of Amsterdam, lawyers and businesses, as well as of course students of the UBI. The seminar could be fully viewed remotely on internet as well.

Following inspiring speeches by UBI’s Deputy Director Mr Desmond YAP and the Ambassador of Singapore H.E. LIM Hong Huai in his position of Chair of the ASEAN Brussels Committee, the two panels took place, with excellent moderation by the Director of the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) Ms Lin GOETHALS and UBI’s Dean Mr Gaston FORNES, on Navigating the geopolitical landscape – Strategic partnerships, Multilateralism, and long-term cooperation, and on Overcoming EU-ASEAN Trade challenges, opportunities through FTAs. From the discussions between the diverse, all highest level panellists, ambassadors, chief trade agreement negotiators, members of European Parliament, law firms, academics and business leaders, the following points could be taken away:

1. The geopolitical situation is dominated by autocratically led states who dictate trade rules and practices, resulting in political, economic and supply chain uncertainty;
2. ASEAN and the EU support a rules-based multilateral trade system with the WTO at its core that includes rules on strategic autonomy and regional cooperation;
3. Both ASEAN and EU both support moral values that underly international trade rules, especially supporting cooperation on social and environmental sustainability in harmonising and improving production standards (WTO’s “equivalence”);
4. ASEAN representatives think that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine weakened the EU’s agenda on environmental sustainability and international cooperation;
5. ASEAN representatives also explained that there is a trust deficit, that the EU’s commitment to cooperation under WTO rules requires demonstration. EU’s pride on imposing a normative agenda seems counterproductive and lacks self-criticism;
6. To improve ASEAN – EU cooperation, ASEAN’s further integration on economic and trade policies would be necessary (including on digitalisation);
7. Further action is required on mutual understanding to get win-win alliances;
8. The EU is open to proving its commitment to equal, reciprocal cooperation, including cooperation with ASEAN business representatives.

Finally, the catering by Thai Café was a delicious detail that added to the total success of the event with a warm networking reception.

• If you have missed the seminar, don’t worry you can still watch the full recording session on our >>> Intranet <<<
Request your access now to intranet@aseancham.eu and join our online networking platform.

• Relive the event through the photos album on our >>> Facebook page <<<