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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will see much activity regarding bilateral trade agreements by December. The ultimate aim of ASEAN's economics-heavy strategy is to protect itself with a wall of trade relationships.

The economies of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are getting ready for a bumper Christmas harvest this year at their leaders’ Dec. 15 summit in Bangkok, Thailand. Bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) are expected to be signed at that time with Australia, New Zealand and India. Negotiations on a China-ASEAN FTA will enter their final phase as soon as the third, and last, component of the agreement is signed in December. In 2007, total ASEAN trade with China stood at $171.1 billion, with Australia and New Zealand at $47.8 billion, and with India at $37 billion.

The already-signed ASEAN-Japan FTA is due to kick into effect Oct. 1. All that remains is for Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam live up to their joint statement issued Aug. 26 to ratify the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership as soon as possible. (Singapore’s and Japan’s legislatures have already done so.)