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2d ago

ASEAN Advances Economic Integration and Myanmar Peace Push at Kuala Lumpur Summit

The bloc unveils a tariff response task force, proposes full tariff-free trade, and renews efforts to address Myanmar's conflict and East Timor's membership.

ASEAB leaders chain their hands while posing for a picture before the start of the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. From left to right, Laos's Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Myanmar Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aung Kyaw Moe, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto and East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, together with others ASEAN countries leaders attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gestures as she attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Overview

  • ASEAN leaders have launched a task force to coordinate a collective response to U.S. tariffs, while member states pursue bilateral negotiations with Washington.
  • Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong proposed eliminating all intra-ASEAN tariffs and addressing non-tariff barriers to strengthen regional trade integration.
  • The bloc is engaging China and Gulf Cooperation Council leaders in high-level talks to diversify economic partnerships and reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
  • Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, is focusing on expanding ceasefires and humanitarian aid in Myanmar, with discussions on appointing a permanent envoy for peace efforts.
  • East Timor's accession to ASEAN is progressing, with member states beginning domestic procedures to finalize its membership by the October summit.