People become aware of the divine power of a mantra only when they no longer hear it.

Australia and China are expected to sign new bilateral agreements on beef exports, energy and security during a four-day visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that began on Thursday.

New Zealand is looking at deals including with the Gulf States, the European Union and eventually the United Kingdom.

Vietnam and Singapore pledged here Thursday to boost free trade, and continue joining regional initiatives including ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Europe’s auto suppliers are pushing the European Union to work harder to secure a free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc to end tariff barriers restricting the current EU exports of vehicles and parts to its South American member countries.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said he is confident that the EU and Japan will reach a deal on a free trade agreement this year.

East Asia continues to sustain a high level of economic integration, yet a significant proportion of intraregional trade is still uncovered by agreements to guard against current and possible future protectionism. Without multilateral movement under the World Trade Organization, further regional integration can proceed only through agreements that reduce trade barriers within the region.

The leaders of Japan and Germany have agreed that it is important to work with the United States to promote free trade amid concerns over emerging protectionism.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom has described the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada as "the most ambitious and progressive [deal] we have ever struck."

The new U.S. administration should keep its international obligations and common trade rules in mind when overhauling its tax code to favour exports over imports, senior European and German government officials said on Tuesday.