Southeast Asian nations to discuss US tariffs as a unified bloc
Opening an annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Mr Anwar said he is seeking a unified bloc meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss the tariffs.
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Officials are hopeful it could happen later this year. Malaysia is the current chair of Asean.
'For Asean, our peace, stability and prosperity have often depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order… These foundations are now being dismantled under the force of arbitrary action,' Mr Anwar said.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (AP/Vincent Thian)
Asean has formed a taskforce to coordinate a response to the US tariffs in parallel with bilateral negotiations by some member countries, Mr Anwar said.
Asean members include bigger economies such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, as well as ones like Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
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The region relies on exports to the US and is hurt by the Trump administration's tariffs, which range from 10% for Singapore to as high as 49% for Cambodia.
Mr Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs in April for most of the world, and this month struck a similar deal with key rival China, easing trade war tensions.
Mr Anwar said an Asean leaders' meeting on Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — the first such tripartite meeting — would spur new cooperation that could help insulate Asean's economy.
The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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The bloc later on Monday will launch a new 20-year vision to deepen their economic and social integration, Mr Anwar said.
Mr Anwar also said Malaysia has managed to 'move the needle forward' in efforts to resolve the Myanmar crisis after forming an informal advisory group headed by former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Anwar met last month with Myanmar military chief Gen. Ming Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and held virtual talks with the opposition National Unity Government.
Officials said the current emphasis on aid delivery following a March earthquake that killed 3,700 people could eventually pave the way for peace talks.
But critics accuse the army of violating a self-proclaimed ceasefire with dozens of airstrikes, with aid not freely allowed into areas not under the army's control.
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President Donald Trump speaks to United States Military Academy graduating cadets (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The Myanmar war, which has killed thousands and displaced millions, is a challenge to Asean since refugees have fled across borders to neighbouring nations.
The region has also seen rising transnational crimes and cybercrimes. The bloc has made little headway after the Myanmar military refused to comply with its peace plan, including a ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid and negotiations.
Mr Anwar said more engagement is being planned in Myanmar.
'Quiet engagement matters. The steps may be small and the bridge may be fragile, but as they say: In matters of peace, even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf,' Mr Anwar said.
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Thomas Daniel from Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies said Asean has no real leverage to push for reconciliation.
The Myanmar military has reportedly lost control of a large part of the country, making the situation even more challenging.
'The conditions on the ground are extremely difficult. I don't think we have reached a stage where Asean can facilitate any kind of political dialogue between conflicting parties. They are not ready for that yet,' he said.
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