KUALA LUMPUR: The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) wrapped up Friday with regional leaders rallying around a united front as sweeping US tariffs dominated talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Just a day before the meeting began, US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent on 14 countries, including several ASEAN members.
The move sparked concern but also prompted resolve within the bloc, which now seeks to recalibrate its economic diplomacy under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar saw reduced rates from earlier April announcements, while tariffs on Indonesia and Thailand were maintained at 32 per cent and 36 per cent.
Malaysia’s rate was nudged up to 25 per cent, effective Aug 1.
Final decisions on Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines remain pending.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who officiated the AMM, struck a pragmatic tone following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “Malaysia still has about a month to negotiate,” he said, stressing Malaysia’s neutral policy and commitment to balancing ties with both the US and China.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said a joint foreign and economic ministers’ meeting is planned ahead of October’s ASEAN Summit to respond to global economic headwinds. “We remain committed to a free, open, rules-based multilateral trading system,” he said, adding that ASEAN is also pushing FTAs with China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan urged faster regional coordination: “We cannot afford to wait for others. Collective ASEAN action is now essential.”
Despite mounting pressure, ASEAN’s economic fundamentals remain strong. Intra-ASEAN trade reached US$800 billion in 2024, and regional trade stood at US$3.8 trillion.
The bloc is accelerating legal finalisation of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) and advancing negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement.
A new Geoeconomic Strategy Task Force has also been formed to align ASEAN’s policy responses to external challenges, including non-tariff barriers and broader shifts in the global order.
With Malaysia’s theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability” guiding its chairmanship, ASEAN leaders made it clear: the bloc will speak with one voice — and for itself.
As Anwar put it: “We are a region that charts its course, deliberately, coherently and with purpose. ASEAN will not be spoken for in absentia.” – BERNAMA
