The EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) has called for stronger and more coordinated action to combat illicit trade, identifying it as a growing strategic economic risk to ASEAN’s long-term growth, public safety, and supply chain resilience. In its latest report, “Driving ASEAN Action Against Illicit Trade: A Strategic, Philippines’ Priority Economic Deliverables (PED)-aligned Blueprint for the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship” (the report), the EU-ABC outlines a comprehensive prevention framework and underscores the role of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including India, in addressing illicit trade across the region.

The report stresses that illicit trade poses serious threats to economic expansion, government revenues, consumer protection, and regional supply chain stability. It highlights the need for enhanced regional coordination under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026.