Manila, Sept. 21 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States (US) are deepening economic cooperation through a new two-year work plan aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties in key areas such as digital economy, agriculture, trade facilitation and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The 2026-2027 ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA) Work Plan was endorsed during the ASEAN Economic Ministers-United States Trade Representative (AEM-USTR) Consultation in Manila on Sunday, co-chaired by Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque and US Deputy Trade Representative Ambassador Rick Switzer.

In a joint statement, the ASEAN and US economic ministers said the new work plan builds on ...