ASEAN Leaders Express Deep Concern Over US Tariffs in Kuala Lumpur Summit

Published on 5.26.25

  ASEAN Faces Unilateral Trade Pressures ASEAN leaders are set to express concern over US tariffs during their summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Association's leaders will also address pressing regional issues, including the increasing pressure on Myanmar's military junta and East Timor's application to join the bloc. Malaysian Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz emphasized the importance of multilateralism and a rule-based global trading order, highlighting the need for ASEAN to strengthen its position in the face of unilateral tariff measures. The current economic challenges posed by tariffs and counter-tariffs are forcing countries to re-evaluate their reliance on individual markets. China is exploring new policy tools, including unconventional measures, to support Chinese enterprises' overseas business development as part of Premier Li Qiang's efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with other countries. Representatives from China will also attend the summit, seeking to strengthen diverse economic alliances amidst uncertainty. The ASEAN leaders' meeting comes after a tumultuous period in global trade relations, marked by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies that disrupted global economic norms. The Association's expression of "deep concern" over unilateral tariff measures underscores the complexity and challenge posed by these developments for the bloc.

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