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Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
ASEAN face US tariffs as united front
Leaders embrace 'multi-alignment diplomacy'; East Timor to join next year KUALA LAMPUR: Southeast Asian leaders met Monday in Kuala Lumpur for their first summit since US President Donald Trump's tariffs upended global economic norms, with the trade-dependent nations expected to issue a joint message of deep concern. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN's) strategy of nurturing diverse economic alliances was on full display as Chinese Premier Li Qiang was warmly welcomed along with Gulf state dignitaries for a lavish gala dinner ahead of talks on Tuesday. Trump cast international markets into turmoil in April when he announced wide-ranging tariffs, before agreeing to pause them for most countries for 90 days. In summit opening remarks given to media but not delivered in his speech, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: "A transition in the geopolitical order is underway and the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of US unilateral tariffs." "Protectionism is resurging as we bear witness to multilateralism breaking apart at the seams," he added. Bilateral talks between the ASEAN member states and Washington are in progress, but the bloc is still presenting a united front, according to Malaysia, which holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship this year. According to a draft statement seen by AFP, ASEAN will express "deep concern ... over the imposition of unilateral tariff measures", saying they "pose complex and multidimensional challenges" to the bloc. But it said earlier this year it would not impose retaliatory duties. Instead, it is looking at broadening its scope with other trading blocs, including the European Union, as well as beefing up trade between member states, Malaysia's trade minister said Sunday. 'Not just a photo-op' Tuesday's talks with Li and the Gulf Cooperation Council — a bloc made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — underscores this effort to maintain a broad network of trading partners. "It's not just a photo-op. It actually demonstrates how ASEAN is attempting to engage strategically with various blocs, a strategy we might term multi-alignment diplomacy," said Khoo Ying Hooi from Malaya University. Anwar said Monday he had written to Trump to request an ASEAN-US summit this year — showing "we observe seriously the spirit of centrality". His foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said Washington had not yet responded. Despite smiles all round at Monday night's dinner — and Premier Li donning a matching traditional batik shirt to the ASEAN leaders — the bloc's relationship with China is a complicated one. "Please be assured that whatever is being said, or circumstances and complexity, we are here as a friend of China," Anwar said at the dinner. But on Monday, Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos told his regional counterparts there was an "urgent need" to adopt a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea. Beijing has territorial disputes in the area with five ASEAN member states, with China and the Philippines having engaged in months of confrontations in the contested waters. The adoption of the code should be accelerated "to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability, and prevent miscalculations at sea", Marcos said. Myanmar conflict ASEAN also has internal matters to deal with, including an attempt to increase pressure on member state Myanmar's military junta, whose leaders are barred from summits over a lack of progress on a five-point peace deal agreed on by the bloc in 2021. "One thing for sure that we agreed is that Myanmar's government ... must comply with the five points consensus which they themselves agreed on as one of the signatories," Mohamad said Sunday. ASEAN has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, triggered when the junta staged a coup deposing civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. Mohamad called Sunday for an extension and expansion of a ceasefire declared after a deadly earthquake, despite ongoing fighting bringing its effectiveness into question. Also on ASEAN's agenda was the prospect of adding an 11th member state before the end of the year. East Timor, Asia's youngest nation, "has made meaningful progress" for it to "hopefully" join the bloc by the next summit in October, Mohamad said. After meeting leaders on Monday, East Timor's prime minister said he believed his country would become a full member this year. "Because everyone supports. Everybody. It was incredible," Xanana Gusmao told reporters. — AFP
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
ASEAN maritime security dialogue set in Manila on May 21-23, 2025
Flags of member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) are displayed at a naval base in Batam in the Riau Islands, Indonesia on September 20, 2023. Bay Ismoyo/ AFP Member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to convene for a maritime security dialogue in Manila from May 21 to 23 to tackle opportunities and obstacles in pushing for a rules-based order in the region. In a press conference on Tuesday, nonprofit group We Protect our Seas (WPS) president Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel said the dialogue would involve academics, policy elites, and maritime practitioners. "Many of you, I think, attended the Manila Dialogue in the South China Sea last year in November. And one of the things we have observed in that dialogue was the prevalence of the 'do not make us choose' narrative or that Southeast Asian states should maintain strategic autonomy on maritime issues," he said. Ordaniel pointed out that ASEAN countries can discuss steps for rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea without the involvement of the United States and China. "What we mean by 'do not make us choose?' Because obviously, when we talk about the South China Sea, the Philippine government broadly is interested in advancing a rules-based maritime order," he said. "But for some reason, that may be interpreted as siding with one power over the other. But what we want to highlight here is that this is a dialogue without great powers without the involvement of China or the United States," he added. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Maritime Council (NSC) were tapped as partners for the dialogue. De La Salle University professor Renato de Castro, for his part, said the dialogue is an opportunity for ASEAN members to express their views on issues. "One key perspective that all ASEAN member states agree on is the fact that the South China Sea issue should be out of the great power competition," De Castro said. "The Philippines and, of course, other ASEAN countries when it comes to the South China Sea issue should exercise their agency. The fact that for these littoral states like the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, of course, the issue there is the fact that we're focused on Chinese expansive claims,' he added. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's engagement with Myanmar is a smart move for Asean
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Advertisement Malaysia's success in securing ceasefire commitments from both Myanmar's junta and the National Unity Government marks a crucial new strategy for Asean. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's pragmatic engagement with both sides exemplifies Kuala Lumpur's leadership in seeking a realistic solution: leveraging humanitarian aid as a neutral bridge for dialogue. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations' strategy of sticking to the ' five-point consensus ' has failed. The rigid framework, hampered by the junta's pariah status and Asean's divided stance, has only prolonged Myanmar's suffering. Malaysia's approach – framing dialogue around humanitarian needs after the March 28 earthquake – offers a fresh avenue. Engaging both sides, including the shadow National Unity Government, which Asean hesitates to formally recognise, is a smart shift. An approach that emphasises the people's urgent needs in the aftermath of the disaster can align with the National Unity Government's democratic aspirations, framing ceasefire cooperation as a step towards stability and eventual political dialogue; negotiation, even with the junta, serves the greater good of saving lives and rebuilding trust. By working closely with Thailand, Malaysia is also wisely factoring in Asean's internal complexities, and understanding a uniform Asean response is unrealistic. As a neutral mediator, Malaysia can push for ceasefire extensions as low-risk steps toward broader stability while avoiding regional spillovers like a refugee crisis. Advertisement However, these efforts need external involvement for lasting success. Asean alone lacks the hard power and unified political will. Malaysia must boldly advocate a parallel mechanism involving the United States, Russia, India and China to push both sides towards a real compromise.
South China Morning Post
07-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia warns of slowdown over US tariff as visit by China's Xi raises trade hopes
Malaysia warned on Monday of a 'mid-to-long-term impact' from the US tariff increase as the country risked facing a slowdown in its exports to the world's biggest economy and inbound investment. Advertisement Amid the global trade and market turmoil over Washington's tariffs, Chinese President Xi Jinping 's coming visit to Malaysia as part of his regional tour has assumed greater significance over China's perceived role as an economic stabiliser, according to analysts. Tariffs of between 24 per cent and 49 per cent are set to be imposed by the US on more than half of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' ( Asean ) 10 members from Wednesday, following President Donald Trump 's announcement last week of sweeping levies that have upended global supply chains and triggered fears of a recession. A 10 per cent universal rate for the rest of the world came into effect on Saturday. Semiconductors – a key Malaysian export category – are exempted under the latest tariff regime. But the Malaysian government has warned that they only account for 30 per cent of the country's total electrical and electronics exports to the US. Advertisement 'Semiconductors are Malaysia's largest export category to the US. But many other sectors will be hit, such as machinery and equipment, furniture, rubber and plastics,' Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz told a news conference broadcast on national television.
South China Morning Post
07-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia warns of slowdown over US tariff as China Xi's visit raises trade hopes
Malaysia warned on Monday of a 'mid-to-long-term impact' from the US tariff increase as the country risked facing a slowdown in its exports to the world's biggest economy and inbound investment. Advertisement Amid the global trade and market turmoil over Washington's tariffs, Chinese President Xi Jinping 's coming visit to Malaysia as part of his regional tour has assumed greater significance over China's perceived role as an economic stabiliser, according to analysts. Tariffs of between 24 per cent and 49 per cent are set to be imposed by the US on more than half of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' ( Asean ) 10 members from Wednesday, following President Donald Trump 's announcement last week of sweeping levies that have upended global supply chains and triggered fears of a recession. A 10 per cent universal rate for the rest of the world came into effect on Saturday. Semiconductors – a key Malaysian export category – are exempted under the latest tariff regime. But the Malaysian government has warned that they only account for 30 per cent of the country's total electrical and electronics exports to the US. Advertisement 'Semiconductors are Malaysia's largest export category to the US. But many other sectors will be hit, such as machinery and equipment, furniture, rubber and plastics,' Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz told a news conference broadcast on national television.
