Southeast Asian nations categorical ‘deep concern’ over U.S. tariffs

Southeast Asian leaders expressed “deep concern” over U.S. tariffs Tuesday (May 27, 2025), as they held a summit with China and Gulf states hailed as “a response to the decision of the occasions” in a geopolitically unsure world.

The trade-dependent economies need to insulate themselves after U.S. President Donald Trump blew up world commerce norms by asserting a slew of levies focusing on international locations world wide, then paused most for 90 days.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched an announcement on Tuesday (May 27, 2025) night time expressing “deep concern over… the imposition of unilateral tariff measures, which pose advanced and multidimensional challenges to ASEAN’s financial development, stability, and integration”.

In one other assertion, the bloc harassed “our strongest resolve to face collectively” within the face of the levies, and pledged to increase cooperation with different companions.

Earlier within the day, Malaysia, which holds the bloc’s rotating chairmanship, hosted the inaugural summit between ASEAN, China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — a regional bloc made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang instructed the assembly that “towards the backdrop of a risky worldwide scenario”, the summit was “a pioneering work of regional financial cooperation”.

“This isn’t solely a continuation of the course of historical past, but additionally a response to the decision of the occasions,” he stated.

ASEAN has historically served as “a intermediary of types” between developed economies just like the United States, and China, stated Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

With Washington wanting unreliable as of late, “ASEAN member states need to diversify”.

“Facilitating exchanges between the Gulf and People’s Republic of China is one facet of this diversification,” he stated.

‘Timely and calculated’

China, which has borne the brunt of Trump’s tariffs, can be trying to shore up its different markets.

China and ASEAN are already one another’s largest buying and selling companions, and Chinese exports to Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam surged by double digits in April — attributed to a re-routing of US-bound items.

Premier Li’s participation is “each well timed and calculated”, Khoo Ying Hooi from the University of Malaya instructed AFP.

“China sees a chance right here to strengthen its picture as a dependable financial associate, particularly within the face of Western decoupling efforts.”

ASEAN reiterated on Tuesday it will not impose retaliatory duties on the United States — in distinction to China.

Beijing and Washington engaged in an escalating flurry of tit-for-tat levies till a gathering in Switzerland noticed an settlement to slash them for 90 days.

Chinese items nonetheless face increased tariffs than most although.

At dinner on Tuesday, Li urged ASEAN and the GCC to “persist in opening up”.

‘Centrality’

ASEAN has traditionally prevented selecting a aspect between the United States and China.

China is just Southeast Asia’s fourth largest supply of overseas direct funding, after the United States, Japan and the European Union, famous NUS’ Chong.

At a press convention on the tail-end of the talks, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim vowed ASEAN would proceed partaking each Washington and Beijing.

“The… ASEAN place is centrality,” Anwar stated, including “it makes lots of sense to proceed to interact and have fairly good relations” with the United States”.

Anwar stated Monday he had written to request an ASEAN-US summit this yr, along with his overseas minister saying Washington had not but responded.

Closer alignment with Beijing presents issues of its personal.

On Monday, Philippines chief Ferdinand Marcos stated there was an “pressing want” to undertake a legally binding code of conduct within the South China Sea.

Beijing has territorial disputes with 5 ASEAN member states within the space, with China and the Philippines having engaged in months of confrontations within the contested waters.

Anwar raised the South China Sea with Li and the Philippines, saying: “I’m not saying all points may be resolved now however there was actual constructive engagement.”