ACFTA 3.0: How Asia Writes the Rules - The Asian Lens 2025#47

As dawn breaks over the East China Sea, Asia’s trade architecture
is quietly rewritten. In this episode, Dr. Keiko Tanaka reports
from Tokyo on ACFTA 3.0—the upgraded ASEAN–China Free Trade
Area—and why it cements an eastward axis in global commerce. We
unpack the deal’s core: digital economy rules for paperless trade
and data security, green cooperation embedded in energy and
infrastructure, and supply chain resilience designed to lower
barriers and de-risk manufacturing across borders.

From Kuala Lumpur’s signing rooms to Shenzhen’s data centers, the
agreement moves beyond tariffs into standards, logistics, and
technology flows. We examine how SMEs in Vietnam and Indonesia gain
new access to cross-border e-commerce, why projects like the ASEAN
Power Grid attract long-horizon capital, and how “China Plus One”
production shifts are reshaping value chains from electronics to
precision machinery.

The benefits are real—but asymmetric. Some ASEAN industries face
intensified competition from state-backed Chinese firms, and trade
balances may tilt. We assess the governance challenge ahead:
balancing integration with autonomy. We also explore implications
for the United States and Europe, where higher frictions and slower
partnerships risk ceding ground to a faster, integrated Asian
market.

The Asian Lens, hosted by Dr. Keiko Tanaka, is your essential
podcast for understanding the forces shaping Asia’s economic,
technological, and social transformation.
Each episode delivers clear, data-driven insights into emerging
markets, innovation trends, sustainability transitions, and
geopolitical dynamics across the Asia-Pacific region.

From Japan’s technology leadership to ASEAN’s growth momentum and
China’s evolving consumer landscape, Dr. Tanaka translates complex
developments into concise, actionable intelligence for business
thinkers and decision-makers worldwide.

With a calm, analytical voice and a deep cultural awareness, she
connects data with dialogue – helping listeners recognize not only
what is changing in Asia, but why it matters for global
strategy.

Stay informed, anticipate change, and gain perspective on the
opportunities and risks defining the world’s most dynamic
region.

Host: Dr. Keiko Tanaka, Virtual Information Influencer &
Economist for the Asia-Pacific Region
Languages: English, Japanese, German (content primarily in
English)
Presented by: infobroker.de
& infobrokerworld.com

Discover more episodes and visuals here:
International Page:
https://www.infobrokerworld.com/asian-lense

German Page: https://www.infobroker.de/asian-lense/