Asean must aggressively pursue new export markets as the bloc strives to convince the US of its economic relevance during tariff negotiations, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said, ahead of a crucial summit of Southeast Asian leaders.
The crisis in Myanmar, which is wracked by civil war and recovering from an earthquake, will also be central to discussions as Asean leaders seek to convince the recalcitrant junta to call a lasting ceasefire.
But the threat posed to the region’s vital exports by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs are likely to dominate the two-day summit in Kuala Lumpur.
“Our dependence on the United States is clearly trade, investments. But what I cannot accept is a tendency to dictate,” Anwar told reporters late on Wednesday.
“Now is a call for assertiveness and independence,” he said, urging swift trade talks to offset expected losses from the US giant market with “new partners China, India, Pakistan and even the [European Union]”.
