PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for ASEAN countries to unite and work towards a resilient and inclusive future.
"Today, ASEAN 2025 sees the need to strengthen cooperation and solidarity among member nations in the face of global economic uncertainty.
Speaking at the launch of the ASEAN Investment Conference 2025, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today, the Prime Minister said: “The global trading system is under intense strain, more so than at any point in recent memory,”.
He was referring to the recent imposition of sweeping tariffs by the United States as part of its economic nationalistic agenda, often referred to as “Trump tariffs against the rest of the world.”
He noted that Malaysia’s trade with the United States has been a model of mutual gain, supporting high-quality jobs in both nations.
However, he acknowledged that these new tariffs could have negative repercussions for all involved.
“We do not believe in megaphone diplomacy. As part of our soft diplomacy of quiet engagement, we will be dispatching our officials to Washington to begin the process of dialogue.
"There may be limited room to revisit the underlying intent, but there is still scope for adjusting the policy’s implementation,” he added.
Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to trade diversification, saying, “While we intend to remain steadfast trade partners with the US, we will, in tandem, do whatever it takes to safeguard our economic interests.
“This includes engaging proactively with the US towards achieving a mutually beneficial outcome and at the same time, diversifying and strengthening our ties with all major trade markets across the EU, Asia, Middle East and Africa.”
In the face of global uncertainty, Anwar highlighted ASEAN’s role as a beacon of hope and optimism.
“We are still broadly committed to openness, cooperation and institutional continuity. Our total trade in goods stands at 3.5 trillion dollars. But this figure is not guaranteed.
"With the barrage of tariffs sweeping across the world, we are witnessing the fraying of the global order.
“Therefore, ASEAN must rely more on itself.”
Anwar outlined specific initiatives to bolster intra-ASEAN trade, including tariff liberalisation and improvements in regulatory alignment, cross-border logistics, and digital connectivity.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening external linkages through mechanisms like ASEAN+3.
“As Chair this year, Malaysia will prioritise the revitalisation of strategic platforms such as ASEAN Plus Three as mechanisms for economic resilience,” he said. - April 8, 2025
