This week I will visit the Philippines and Thailand to deepen Australia's economic partnership with Southeast Asia.
In Manila, I will represent Australia at the annual ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meetings to advance our interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous region.
As co-chair of the annual economic dialogue with ASEAN and New Zealand, I will highlight the benefits of our upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA in support of trade, business growth and jobs.
I will also join Ministers in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to drive work on upgrading and expanding the world’s largest FTA.
During my visit, I will launch AustCham, ASEAN’s tenth Australian Business in ASEAN survey, which shows strong business optimism in the region, despite intensifying challenges for trade.
My visit to Bangkok will strengthen Australia’s relationship with a longstanding partner, building on the momentum from Prime Minister Anutin’s visit to Australia last month. I will discuss initiatives to strengthen cooperation to counter transnational crime and boost trade between our countries.
Both visits will build on recent successes implementing the Government’s goals under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Southeast Asian countries collectively are Australia’s second largest trade partner. Our two-way trade with ASEAN reached AUD$198 billion in 2025, supporting half a million Australian jobs.