ASEAN Stands United, Pushes Deeper Economic Integration Amid Global Trade Pressures
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (VoM): Southeast Asian economies have reaffirmed their unity and commitment to deeper regional integration, sending a strong signal that ASEAN markets remain open for business despite escalating global trade tensions and protectionist measures.
Chairing the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings, Malaysia’s Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz was credited with steering discussions toward strengthening economic cooperation while keeping the bloc focused on its long-term goals.
ASEAN has set its sights on becoming the world’s fourth-largest economic bloc by 2030, a vision that underpins its strategy to prioritize integration and multilateralism over retaliatory trade measures against global powers.
Key outcomes from the five-day gathering included progress on 18 Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs), the ongoing review and upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), enhanced digital cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives to support Timor-Leste’s full membership at the ASEAN Summit in October.
Tengku Zafrul engaged in more than 20 meetings with representatives from 10 ASEAN nations and 11 dialogue partners, navigating challenges posed by rising unilateral tariffs, including the recent US imposition on pharmaceutical products.
Despite these headwinds, ASEAN ministers reiterated their preference for proactive solutions rather than retaliatory measures, stressing the need to maintain open, competitive, and resilient markets.
The meetings also drew active participation from dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and Hong Kong. Observers such as Chile and Bangladesh, though not present, followed the proceedings closely, underscoring ASEAN’s growing economic weight.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer praised Malaysia’s chairmanship and ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen supply chains and expand market access.
Following bilateral talks, Tengku Zafrul confirmed that Malaysia and the US aim to conclude tariff discussions ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia in October.
“These five days have been constructive, with ASEAN ministers engaging partners from across the globe. Despite differences in views, we all agree that trade and investment must continue to flow,” he said.
The outcome of the meetings highlighted ASEAN’s ability to balance external pressures with internal cohesion, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic and strategic economic regions.
@voice of Malaysia news