ASEAN: Trump's Tariff Measures Invite Trade Reorganization
The high tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is causing a global tectonic shift in economic blocs. Recent moves surrounding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can be said to be a new development that symbolically indicate this.
ASEAN held its first joint summit with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of six Middle Eastern countries that includes Saudi Arabia, in Malaysia.
The joint statement released after the summit included the importance of multilateralism and the cooperation of ASEAN, China and the GCC on promoting trade and investment.
ASEAN has conventionally been wary of becoming embroiled in the U.S.-China confrontation, and it has spent a great deal of effort in striking a balance between the two countries. But Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is ASEAN chair this year, invited China for the first time into the existing ASEAN summit framework with the GCC.
The United States has indicated that it intends to impose high reciprocal tariffs on Cambodia and other countries, claiming that China is exporting Chinese products via Southeast Asia.
In response, Anwar has criticized the move as 'unilateral,' expressing his willingness for ASEAN as a whole to unite in negotiations with the United States, while each member country continues its own individual negotiations with Washington.
As part of this effort, ASEAN is apparently seeking to build a new economic bloc together with China, its largest trading partner, and oil-producing countries, to fill the gap in trade with the United States, which is expected to decline due to the U.S. tariff measures.
Meanwhile, the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to bring both regions into its camp and strengthen its countermeasures against the United States.
Xi visited three Southeast Asian countries last month, and immediately after that, Premier Li Qiang attended the joint summit. This unprecedented approach indicates that Beijing sees the current situation as an opportunity to strengthen its ties with ASEAN.
However, China is continuing its aggressive military maritime expansion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea and also threatens trade partners with 'economic coercion' by restricting trade. If China sees itself as a defender of multilateral cooperation and free trade, it should change this behavior.
If ASEAN distances itself from the United States and China's influence grows too strong in the region, it could not only have a negative impact on the global economy, but it could also significantly alter the security environment in the region.
Japan also needs to respond to the movement to build a new economic bloc centered on ASEAN.
While utilizing existing frameworks, including one between the three countries of Japan, China and South Korea along with ASEAN and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, Japan should promote economic cooperation with other countries and regions to maintain the free trade regime and strengthen regional stability.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 30, 2025)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Mainichi
42 minutes ago
- The Mainichi
Career pathways in the US dim for international students as Trump cracks down on visas
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Since coming from China as a teenager for boarding school, Bob Zeng has imagined building a career in the United States. But as he prepared to graduate Thursday from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it felt like the last chapter of his life in America. Zeng said he has been rethinking his plans because of the Trump administration's pledge to aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students. Having completed a masters degree in science and management, he is thinking about moving to Europe. Or going home to China. "I am worried about working here," said Zeng, 30. "You never know what's going to happen." Many international students come to the U.S. with hopes of gaining work experience and returning to their home countries or pursuing a career in the U.S. But the administration's intensifying scrutiny of international students -- and signs that formal career pathways for them may be closed -- are leading some to reconsider their plans. Beyond the steps the administration already has taken -- expanding the grounds for terminating students' ability to study in the U.S., adding new vetting for student visas, moving to block foreign enrollment at Harvard -- a key nominee has raised the possibility of ending a program that encourages international students to stay and gain work experience. About 240,000 of the 1.1 million people on student visas in the U.S. are on Optional Practical Training -- a one-year post-graduation period where they are authorized to work in fields related to their degrees. It can last up to three years for graduates in science, math and technology fields. President Donald Trump's nominee for director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, said during his confirmation hearing on May 21 that he would like to see an end to post-graduate work authorization for international students. "What I want to see would be essentially a regulatory and sub-regulatory program that would allow us to remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school," said Edlow, referring to the F-1 visas on which most international students attend college in the U.S. A program offers international students a foothold for careers in the US The opportunity to gain career experience at U.S. companies, especially in technology and other fields where American companies dominate, has long been a draw of studying here. Many enter the H-1B visa lottery, hoping to be selected for one of the employer-sponsored visas that offer a pathway to permanent residency in the United States. Threatening practical training opportunities would have long-term consequences for the U.S. in attracting international students, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, which represents international educators. "We turn global talent away at our own expense," Aw said. Like many international students, Marko, 29, finds himself glued to the news with a growing sense of alarm. His Optional Practical Training expires in a month, and he has applied for an extension but hasn't heard back, leaving him in limbo. Lawyers for the tech company where he works in New York City advised him to carry proof of his legal status in his wallet, which he finds "dehumanizing." "The message being sent now is that: You are not one of us, and we are going to get rid of you," said Marko, who asked that only his first name be used because he is worried about being targeted for removal from the country. He has lived in the U.S. for a decade spanning college and graduate school, but his family and friends back home have encouraged him to leave. His hope is that he gets the OPT extension and can then apply for an H-1B visa and continue his life in the U.S., but he also worries about anti-immigrant sentiment and who will be targeted next. Guy, an HIV researcher at Mount Sinai Hospital who declined to provide his last name for fear of retaliation, came to the United States in 2018 for a PhD program at New York University. He's now in his second year of OPT and would have to return to the United Kingdom if the program was terminated. Although he still feels welcome in New York City, he said it feels like there's a "war on immigrants in this country." "It's not a particularly attractive place to stay and do science right now," he said. Foreign students have been targeted on several fronts In his first administration, Trump floated the idea of curtailing OPT, but that did not materialize. During the campaign, he suggested he would give green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges, a sentiment that students and educators hoped would signal more welcoming policies. But his administration has cracked down on international students in several ways. In April, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began terminating the legal status of people with student visas who appeared in a database of police encounters. Many caught up in that effort were on OPT, and had to leave their jobs or risk violating laws about working without legal authorization. ICE eventually restored students' status after widespread legal challenges, but not before some chose to leave the country pre-emptively, fearing deportation. In mid-May, some recent graduates received letters threatening to terminate their status if they did not update their employment records. While the letters gave them an opportunity to fix any reporting issues, it sent another wave of uncertainty through international graduates. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the government would move to revoke visas of Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in "critical" fields. Yurong "Luanna" Jiang, a Chinese student who graduated Thursday from Harvard University, said in an interview that she had hoped to stay in the U.S. for a few years but she has been unsettled by the Trump administration's crackdown on visas. "In terms of the plan going forward, I would say everything is up in the air at this point," said Jiang, who is now open to going anywhere in the world to work in international development. "At this point, it's difficult to say what will happen." ___ Gecker reported from San Francisco, Toness and Michael Casey contributed from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Collin Binkley contributed from Washington.
Kyodo News
an hour ago
- Kyodo News
Trump lauds Nippon Steel as "great partner" for U.S. Steel
KYODO NEWS - 7 hours ago - 13:24 | All, World President Donald Trump on Friday heaped praise on Nippon Steel Corp. over what he views as a partnership deal with United States Steel Corp., offering backing to the Japanese company's $14 billion investment into the iconic but struggling American producer. During a speech at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania, Trump called Nippon Steel a "great partner" and said the two steelmakers will form a "tremendous relationship" without offering many details about the deal, which he has never described as being the buyout the Japanese company has desired. "Most importantly, U.S. Steel will continue to be controlled by the USA," said Trump, who was against Nippon Steel's $14.1 billion takeover bid of U.S. Steel during the 2024 election campaign. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have done the deal." After returning from Pennsylvania, Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington that he still has to approve "the final deal" between the two steelmakers. His remarks during a visit to the plant in West Mifflin for a rally with steelworkers came after he unexpectedly struck a positive note a week earlier on "a planned partnership" between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, welcoming the prospect of the at least 70,000 jobs it will create and $14 billion it will add to the U.S. economy. Trump also said he will raise tariffs on steel imports to 50 percent from the 25 percent that took effect in March along with the same rate charged on aluminum from most countries, citing national security. Trump later said on social media that the new tariff rate will go into effect on Wednesday. "Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before," he said. Nippon Steel, the world's fourth-largest producer, has sought to make U.S. Steel a wholly owned subsidiary. The Tokyo-headquartered company has yet to provide details of the latest status of the deal. "A strong steel industry is not just a matter of dignity or prosperity and pride," Trump said. "It's above all, a matter of national security." Trump said Nippon Steel's investment is the largest of any kind in the history of Pennsylvania and that the $14 billion is unprecedented in the history of the steel industry in the United States. He said it is "an incredible deal" that will ensure all U.S. Steel workers keep their jobs and all the company's facilities in the country remain open and thriving. The attendees of the rally included U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt and Takahiro Mori, Nippon Steel's vice chairman, who played a central role in negotiating the takeover bid. In addition to praising Burritt, Trump extolled Mori's contribution to making the landmark investment happen, saying, "He's highly respected all over the world for what he's done with steel." Trump said U.S. Steel will maintain all its existing operating blast furnaces "at full capacity for a minimum of the next 10 years, and we have that as a commitment." Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel announced their merger plan in December 2023. However, then President Joe Biden in early January this year issued an order blocking the sale of U.S. Steel to the Japanese firm, citing national security grounds, following a recommendation by a panel of federal agencies. Trump, who took office for a second term in January, ordered the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to conduct another review of Nippon Steel's proposed acquisition. With the review now complete, although its outcome remains unknown, Trump has until Thursday to determine whether to approve Nippon Steel's set of proposals. During the 2024 presidential election cycle, Biden and Trump stated that U.S. Steel should remain in domestic hands, a view shared by the leadership of the powerful United Steelworkers union. Both U.S. Steel and the powerful union are based in Pennsylvania, which was a key battleground state in the Nov. 5 presidential election, and the planned acquisition became highly political, although the proposed buyout came from a leading company from Japan, a close U.S. ally. Founded in 1901, U.S. Steel was once a symbol of American economic prowess, but it has struggled to keep up with competition from Chinese and other foreign rivals. U.S. Steel and its shareholders were supportive of the takeover, which would make it more competitive globally and create the world's third-largest steelmaker by volume. Related coverage: U.S. gov't eyes "golden share" in U.S. Steel amid Nippon Steel buyout Trump says U.S. Steel to remain under American control after deal
The Mainichi
3 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Pride events face budget shortfalls as US corporations pull support ahead of summer festivities
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Many U.S. corporations this year stopped supporting Pride events that celebrate LGBTQ+ culture and rights, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget shortfalls ahead of the summer festivities and raising questions about corporate America's commitment to the cause. The moves come as President Donald Trump has shown antipathy for trans protections and has attempted to roll back some LGBTQ+ friendly federal policies. Experts also note that a growing slice of the public has grown tired of companies taking a stance on social and political issues. San Francisco Pride, the nonprofit that produces one of the country's largest and best-known LGBTQ+ celebrations, is facing a $200,000 budget gap after corporate donors dropped out. In Kansas City, Missouri, KC Pride lost about $200,000 -- roughly half its annual budget. Heritage of Pride, the umbrella organization behind NYC Pride and other LGBTQ+ events in New York City, is fundraising to narrow a $750,000 budget gap after companies withdrew. Meanwhile, Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch ended its sponsorship of PrideFest in St. Louis, Missouri, its home base, after 30 years, leaving organizers with a $150,000 budget shortfall. In response, many Pride organizations have canceled some dance parties, reduced the number of stages, hired less pricey headliners and no longer give volunteers free food or T-shirts. But the core celebrations will go on. In San Francisco, this year's Pride theme is "Queer Joy is Resistance." In New York, it's "Rise Up: Pride in Protest," and, in Boston, it's "Here to Stay!" "If you come to Pride this year, that's a revolutionary act," said Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride. "You are sending a message to those in Washington that, here in San Francisco, we still have the same values that we've always had -- you can love who you love here. We're not going to retreat from that." Following media coverage of their retreat, some companies changed course but asked that their names not be affiliated with the events, the event organizers said. Corporations rethink Pride sponsorships San Francisco Pride earlier this year lost the support of five major corporate donors, including Comcast, Anheuser-Busch and Diageo, the beverage giant that makes Guinness beer and Smirnoff vodka. "With everything we're facing from the Trump administration, to lose five of your partners within a couple of weeks, it felt like we were being abandoned," Ford said. After the withdrawals drew attention, some corporations said they would donate but only anonymously, Ford said, declining to identify those companies. As of this week, neither Comcast, Anheuser-Busch nor Diageo appeared on the organization's website as sponsors of the June 29 festivities. It was unclear if they donated. Anheuser-Busch and Diageo didn't reply to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment. A spokesperson for Comcast also declined to comment but said some of its companies are sponsoring Silicon Valley Pride and Oakland Pride. NYC Pride spokesperson Chris Piedmont said about 20% of its corporate sponsors either dropped their support or scaled back, including New York-based PepsiCo and Nissan. Kyle Bazemore, Nissan North America's director of corporate communications, said the decision comes as the automaker reviews all of its marketing expenses to lower costs. PepsiCo did not return an email seeking comment. Piedmont said NYC Pride has also received anonymous corporate funding and that he appreciates the unpublicized support. "Writing a check to a nonprofit and supporting a nonprofit with no strings attached is stepping up to the plate," Piedmont said. Companies retreat from 'brand activism' The shift reflects how corporations are adjusting to a changing cultural landscape that began during the pandemic and accelerated with Trump's second term, experts said. "Companies are resourceful, they are clever at identifying trends and studying their environment and their customers' needs, but those needs change and corporations adjust," said Amir Grinstein, a marketing professor at Northeastern University. Corporations' presence in rainbow-filled Pride parades, concerts and dance parties became more ubiquitous after the landmark 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, as companies splashed their names on parade floats, rainbow flags and bright plastic bracelets. So-called brand activism reached its peak between 2016 to 2022, a period of social upheaval around the pandemic, police brutality and transgender rights, Grinstein said. But research has since found a growing number of American consumers don't want companies taking positions on such topics, said Barbara Kahn, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. "There have always been people who said, 'I don't want my toothpaste to have an opinion, I just want to use my toothpaste,' but the tide has shifted, and research shows there are more people that feel that way now," Kahn said. Pride organizers keep their distance from some corporations Meanwhile, Republican-led states have been passing legislation to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and LGBTQ+ rights, especially the ability of transgender young people to participate in sports or receive gender-affirming care. Trump signed executive orders on his first day in office that rolled back protections for transgender people and terminated federal DEI programs. Some companies followed suit by eliminating their DEI goals, prompting Pride organizations to sever ties. San Francisco's organizers cut ties with Meta after the parent company of Facebook and Instagram terminated its DEI goals and content moderation policies. Twin Cities Pride ended its relationship with Target over the Minneapolis-based retailer's curtailing of its DEI initiatives following a backlash from conservatives and the White House. The company's retreat from DEI policies led to a counter-boycott by civil rights advocates. Target announced in May that sales fell more than expected in the first quarter due to customer boycotts, tariffs and other economic factors. The company now offers only some Pride products at a few stores and online. Still, Rick Gomez, Target's chief commercial officer, told reporters in May that it's important to celebrate Heritage Months, which highlight different groups from Latinos to Asian Americans to the LGBTQ+ community. "They drive sales growth for us," he said. Asking the community for financial support First-time donations from individuals, foundations and local businesses have increased following corporate America's retreat. In Minneapolis, a crowdfunding campaign by Twin Cities Pride to fill a $50,000 funding gap raised more than $89,000. In San Francisco, two local foundations donated $55,000 combined. "This isn't the first year that there's been an inflammatory climate around Pride," said James Moran, a spokesperson for KC Pride, in Kansas City, Missouri. "We know that our community is looking for spaces that are meant for us, where we can celebrate but also process what's going on and build our own support networks."
