• Photo credit: ASEAN

Southeast Asian nations must accelerate regional economic integration and diversify their markets to mitigate the impact of widespread U.S. tariff increases, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan stated on Sunday. Addressing a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mohamad underscored the critical need for unity to navigate the complexities of global trade disruptions.

Mohamad highlighted that “ASEAN nations are among those most heavily affected by the U.S.-imposed tariffs,” noting that the trade friction between the U.S. and China is significantly altering production and trade patterns worldwide, making a global economic slowdown likely. He urged the bloc to “seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration” to better protect the region from external shocks.

Many ASEAN members, which rely heavily on exports to the U.S., have experienced tariffs ranging from 10 to 49 percent under the current U.S. administration, with six of the ten member nations facing the highest rates between 32 and 49 percent. While an earlier attempt by ASEAN to secure a bloc-wide meeting with the U.S. was unsuccessful, individual nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, initiated trade negotiations with Washington after a recent 90-day pause on some tariffs was announced.

The foreign ministers’ discussions precede an ASEAN leaders’ summit scheduled for Monday in Malaysia, the current chair of the bloc. Further high-level meetings are planned for Tuesday, including summits with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), underscoring ASEAN’s commitment to diversified partnerships.

Beyond trade, Mohamad stressed the crucial importance of ASEAN unity in confronting issues such as climate change, the disruptive potential of unregulated artificial intelligence, and mounting external pressures from superpower rivalries. “External pressures are rising, and the scope of challenges has never had higher stakes,” he warned, asserting that “unity is now more important than ever” for the bloc to avoid unraveling. ASEAN members have maintained a policy of engaging with both the U.S. and China, recognizing both as vital trading and investment partners.

The ongoing crisis in Myanmar also featured prominently in the discussions. Mohamad reiterated ASEAN’s call for warring factions in Myanmar to cease hostilities and extend a ceasefire, which was initially declared after a devastating earthquake in March. The civil conflict, which erupted following a 2021 military takeover, has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced. Myanmar’s military leaders have been barred from ASEAN meetings due to their failure to comply with the bloc’s peace plan, which includes provisions for negotiations and humanitarian aid delivery.

Mohamad acknowledged that Myanmar’s internal strife has strained ASEAN’s credibility, particularly given its long-standing principle of non-interference. He indicated that informal consultations among members revealed the need for ASEAN to intensify efforts as Myanmar’s problems, including a growing refugee exodus and cross-border crime, are spilling into neighboring nations. Malaysia’s immediate focus, he said, is on de-escalation of violence and ensuring greater access to humanitarian assistance, though he conceded that fostering political dialogue among the conflicting parties remains challenging due to a “trust deficit.”