ASEAN Economic Ministers Emphasise Unity Amid Global Trade Tensions
Economic ministers from ASEAN member states reaffirmed the region's commitment to unity and measured diplomacy amid intensifying global trade disruptions.
According to Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, ASEAN has chosen dialogue over retaliation, and the collective decision to pursue engagement has helped prevent escalation and maintained channels of cooperation with the US and other major economies.
Tengku Zafrul credited ASEAN's proactive stance, including a series of recent consultations with Dialogue Partners such as China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, as key to maintaining regional economic stability. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening intra-ASEAN trade to reduce external dependencies.
With 11 agenda items on the docket for the 25th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting, the economic ministers would review progress on AEC initiatives and endorse proposals to be presented at the upcoming 46th ASEAN Summit. The Chair praised the ASEAN Secretariat and Senior Officials for their work in driving these initiatives forward.
The meeting also marked a milestone for Timor-Leste, which participated under newly adopted ASEAN guidelines, signalling its gradual integration into the regional bloc.
Reiterating ASEAN's founding values of peace, stability and shared progress, Tengku Zafrul urged the ministers to maintain a forward-looking approach as the current economic climate calls for renewed resolve not retreat.
As Malaysia leads ASEAN into its 2025 Chairmanship, the AECC meeting underscored a central message: Regional cooperation remains ASEAN's strongest asset in a rapidly shifting global order. Related
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