Regional Economic Partnership Elevated at ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Paving the Way for Collaborative Progress
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Affirms ASEAN's Neutrality and Diplomacy in Trade Relations with U.S. and China
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 - Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed today that South-east Asian nations will maintain a neutral but united stance while engaging with the United States and China, contrary to claims that the region is leaning towards China over trading partners in the West.
Addressing reporters after concluding the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, an event attended by China's Premier Li Qiang, Anwar emphasized ASEAN's commitment to universal diplomacy and its long-held belief in remaining neutral yet unified.
Recent critics asserted that South-east Asian countries are growing too close to China, potentially straining ties with Western trading partners, particularly the U.S. However, Anwar clarified that he had made clear to ASEAN leaders in their first meeting in Langkawi that they should continue to engage both the U.S. and China, as well as other countries. He also mentioned an earlier agreement with former U.S. President Donald J. Trump to hold a US-ASEAN summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visits to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam coincide with his efforts to foster a "unified Asian family," which some observers view as a counter to US pressure on Asian nations to limit trade ties with China.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian trade team is in discussions with their counterparts in Washington, hoping to negotiate the elimination of tariffs and expressing a willingness to make concessions. Last year, Malaysia exported US$16.2 billion worth of chips, mostly semiconductors, to the U.S., representing nearly 20% of all US semiconductor imports.
As chairman of the summit, Anwar indicated that ASEAN member countries have agreed to encourage bilateral talks with the U.S. while prioritizing ASEAN interests. He further stated that any decisions regarding U.S. tariffs must be based on mutual understanding within the ASEAN bloc and should not compromise other nations' interests.
In addition to navigating complex trade issues with the U.S., ASEAN is also focusing on bolstering intra-regional trade to reduce dependence on external markets for economic resilience.
In the follow-up to the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's affirmation of ASEAN's neutral and unified stance with the U.S. and China, it is worth noting that the Malaysian trade team is currently in discussions with their counterparts in Washington. This conversation revolves around the possibility of negotiating the elimination of tariffs, which could potentially impact the significant trade relationship Malaysia has with the U.S., particularly in the export of chips, with figures reaching $16.2 billion last year. Moreover, the focus on bolstering intra-regional trade within ASEAN serves as a strategy towards economic resilience, seeking to reduce dependence on external markets.
