Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Southeast Asian nations to deepen regional cooperation and boost intra-regional trade as the world faces increasing economic uncertainty.
Speaking at a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar warned against the growing use of tariffs, export controls, and investment barriers, describing them as tools of geopolitical rivalry though he avoided directly naming the United States.
"As external pressures intensify, it is essential that we strengthen our internal foundations", Anwar said. "We must trade more with each other, invest in one another, and push for deeper integration with determination".
His remarks come amid renewed concerns following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on six ASEAN countries. Despite some members' attempts to negotiate reduced rates, only Vietnam has secured a partial reprieve, with its tariff reduced to 20% from an initial 46%. Other nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, are pursuing further negotiations ahead of the tariffs’ implementation on 1 August.
ASEAN, the world's fifth-largest economic bloc, continues to benefit from supply chain shifts away from China. However, the latest U.S. measures have heightened unease in the region. A draft joint communiqué seen by Reuters reveals that ASEAN ministers plan to voice concern over escalating global trade tensions and the use of unilateral tariff actions, warning such moves are counterproductive and may worsen global economic fragmentation.
ASEAN leaders have pledged not to retaliate and to ensure any bilateral agreements with the U.S. do not harm fellow member states.
OCBC Bank economist Lavanya Venkateswaran noted additional uncertainty around enforcement of tariffs targeting transshipments, particularly affecting countries such as Vietnam that play a key role in regional supply chains.
Complicating matters further, President Trump has also hinted at additional tariffs targeting members or partners of the BRICS group, Indonesia being a full member, and Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam listed as partners.
Alongside trade concerns, ASEAN ministers are expected to reaffirm support for a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone treaty. The summit may also serve as a platform to ease recent tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, whose military standoff over a border dispute has added political strain. It's after Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended pending a court case over a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, which critics say jeopardised Thailand's sovereignty.
The ASEAN gathering also faces unresolved regional challenges, including Myanmar's ongoing civil conflict and prolonged delays in finalising a code of conduct with China for the South China Sea.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged all parties in Myanmar to foster a climate suitable for holding elections, although it remains unclear whether Malaysia, as ASEAN's current chair, will support the vote, widely seen as a ploy to legitimise military rule amid the absence of real opposition.
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Iran has signed a secret €500 million arms deal with Russia to rebuild air defences, weakened during last year’s war with Israel, the Financial Times has reported. The agreement, signed in December in Moscow, will see Russia deliver 500 Verba launch units and 2,500 9M336 missiles over three years.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said the bloc is unlikely to reach agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia at Monday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers, as continued Hungarian opposition keeps consensus out of reach.
The European Parliament’s trade chief has urged a temporary suspension of the EU–U.S. trade agreement approval, citing “tariff chaos” following President Donald Trump’s new 15% tariffs and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating his previous global tariff programme.
Further Iran-U.S. nuclear talks are scheduled in Geneva on Thursday (26 February) as diplomacy resumes over Tehran’s nuclear programme following earlier mediation efforts. But will the talks move Iran-U.S. negotiations closer to a deal, and what should be expected from the meeting?
A seven-month-old Japanese macaque has drawn international attention after forming an unusual bond with a stuffed orangutan toy after being rejected by its mother.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of on Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law, after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan after blaming a series of recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it said were operating from Afghan territory.
Iran announced on Saturday (21 February) that it has designated the naval and air forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal move after the EU blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said the bloc is unlikely to reach agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia at Monday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers, as continued Hungarian opposition keeps consensus out of reach.
Further Iran-U.S. nuclear talks are scheduled in Geneva on Thursday (26 February) as diplomacy resumes over Tehran’s nuclear programme following earlier mediation efforts. But will the talks move Iran-U.S. negotiations closer to a deal, and what should be expected from the meeting?
China says it's making a "full assessment" of the U.S. Supreme Court's tariff ruling and urged Washington to lift "relevant unilateral tariff measures" on its trading partners, the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement on Monday (23 February).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A “Victory will be ours” banner was hung on the Russian Embassy in Seoul, ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It remains on display despite a request from the South Korean Foreign Ministry on Sunday (22 February) for its removal, sparking widespread criticism.
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