https://www.scmp.com/rss/524691/feed Dr Azeem Khalid is an academic and entrepreneur with a PhD in politics and international relations. Formerly an assistant professor, he is now based in New York, where he is building and leading startups in renewable energy and the digital economy and technologies. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Azeem Khalid,Asma Khalid Azeem Khalid,Asma Khalid The signing of the Asean-China free trade agreement upgrade last month looked procedural. It wasn’t. The protocol adds chapters on digital trade, the green economy, supply chain connectivity, and the nuts and bolts of trade facilitation. These elements matter more than tariff cuts. As US tariffs on Chinese goods remain high, including on electric vehicles (EVs), batteries and solar cells, agreements that reduce friction, harmonise standards and streamline certification are becoming strategic... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332246/how-asean-quietly-became-chinas-buffer-against-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332246/how-asean-quietly-became-chinas-buffer-against-us-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:30:09 +0000