The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is preparing to convene a Special Leaders’ Meeting with the U.S. to express collective concerns over the planned imposition of sweeping tariffs. These include proposed 25% levies on automotive, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports—measures that Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan described as a “huge blow,” particularly for Malaysia, where electrical and electronics products constitute 60% of exports to the U.S. As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia has taken the lead in rallying member states to ensure their voices are heard, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirming preparations are underway for the summit. During the recent ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM), leaders emphasized their preference for diplomacy over retaliation, though a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization remains under consideration.
While ASEAN welcomes the temporary reprieve from the delay of the partial 90-day pause in the tariff’s enforcement, leaders are pressing for sustainable, rules-based resolutions. At the 37th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue held in Cambodia, both sides reaffirmed their strategic partnership and commitment to an open Indo-Pacific. However, ASEAN leaders have been clear that unilateral trade actions risk undermining decades of trust and economic interdependence. As regional consultations continue, the bloc’s message remains firm: only multilateralism and cooperation can preserve fair, stable trade.
