The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday signed an “upgraded” free trade agreement with China.

The move was touted by Beijing as an acknowledgement of China’s growing power and influence across Southeast Asia.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was present at the summit in Malaysia’s capital of Kuala Lumpur where the agreement was signed, said the 11 nations of ASEAN would benefit from “enhanced bilateral economic and trade cooperation” with China at a time when “many countries are facing greater development challenges after being unfairly subjected to steep tariffs” — a not-very-subtle shot at President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

“Interference by external forces in our region is rising, and many countries are being unreasonably subjected to high tariffs. Faced

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