Southeast Asian nations seek joint tariff talks with Trump, says Malaysia’s PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur that the region will come together to address various challenges, such as economic uncertainties due to U.S. tariffs and the ongoing civil war in Myanmar. Anwar expressed the need for a unified response to the tariffs and mentioned plans for a potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. ASEAN, which includes countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, has formed a taskforce to coordinate a collective approach to the tariffs. Additionally, ASEAN leaders are set to launch a new 20-year vision to enhance economic and social integration in the region. The summit will also involve discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Gulf Cooperation Council to bolster cooperation. Despite efforts to address challenges like the Myanmar crisis, analysts note that ASEAN faces difficulties in facilitating political dialogue in the region.