Asian Countries Commit to Open Trade During Pandemic

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus Japan, China and South Korea, issued a joint statement committing to open trade during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an unofficial translation of a June 4 Japanese government notice. The countries agreed not to take “unnecessary measures that may affect the smooth flow of medical products” and committed to imposing only “targeted, purposeful, transparent and temporary” trade restrictions. The countries also said they are still working toward signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement this year and plan to “resolve India’s outstanding issues” with the agreement (see 2005130018 and 1911040016).