ASEAN Chair Anwar Seeks Economic Balance in Asia Amid Rising Trade Tensions with China and Gulf Cooperation Council
Published on 5.24.25
ASEAN's efforts to strengthen economic ties with major powers are crucial in the face of rising global trade tensions. Malaysia's current chair, Anwar, is set to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council on Monday and Tuesday, aiming to boost trade relationships with China.
Anwar's efforts are also driven by a desire to strengthen economic resilience in the region. In his discussions with ASEAN countries, he emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships with major trading partners while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
Despite tensions between China and ASEAN over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Anwar remains optimistic about engaging both superpowers without splitting the bloc. This balancing act is crucial for ASEAN's economic interests as it seeks to maintain relationships with major trading partners such as China.