ASEAN Lists Tentative Nov. 9 or 10 Signing for Digital Economy Pact

ASEAN lists a tentative Nov. 9 or 10 signing for its digital economy pact, as former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius warns that U.S. trade policy could push Southeast Asia toward Beijing.

The bloc’s 2026 notional calendar places the ceremony in Metro Manila but leaves the exact date to be confirmed. Negotiators resolved outstanding issues during a May 27-29 meeting on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). If the agreement is successfully implemented, the region’s digital economy could reach as much as $2 trillion by 2030.

ASEAN launched DEFA negotiations Sept. 3, 2023, before Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025. Osius argued in a Nov. 2 commentary that U.S. trade policy risks prompting Southeast Asian governments to hedge toward Beijing. “Washington builds walls while ASEAN builds architecture,” Osius wrote. The timeline does not show that tariffs prompted DEFA, and the planned signing alone does not establish a shift in regional alignment.

The Supreme Court ruled Feb. 20 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize presidential tariffs. Separately, Trump imposed a 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for 150 days, from Feb. 24 to July 24. The surcharge had expired by the time Osius’ commentary appeared.

In March, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opened Section 301 investigations into structural excess capacity and production in China and six ASEAN economies: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. In July, USTR said 60 economies had failed to impose and enforce bans on imports made with forced labor, then announced separate Section 301 duties of 10% or 12.5% on goods from those economies, subject to product exemptions. The July duties were distinct from the expired Section 122 surcharge.

ASEAN’s calendar lists the DEFA signing ceremony for Nov. 9 or 10, with the date still marked tentative.