ASEAN Economic Ministers Commit to Non-Retaliation on US Tariffs

April 11, 2025 | 10:22 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The economic ministers of the ASEAN regional bloc committed on Thursday “to not impose any retaliatory measures” against the United States over the massive imposition of import tariffs. As reported by Arab News, they stated that they were ready to engage in negotiations.

“ASEAN, being the fifth largest economy in the world, is deeply concerned over the recent introduction of unilateral tariffs by the US, including the tariffs announced on 2 April 2025 and subsequently the most recent suspension on 9 April 2025,” said the ASEAN Ministers' Association in a statement issued after a video conference meeting.

Despite their concerns, the ASEAN ministers stated they were ready “to engage in a frank and constructive dialogue with the US to address trade-related concerns.”

“Open communication and collaboration will be crucial to ensuring a balanced and sustainable relationship. In that spirit, ASEAN commits to not impose any retaliatory measures in response to the US tariffs,” they said.

Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, chaired the special meeting. Malaysia holds the rotating chair position of the 10-member regional bloc.

Its member countries, which rely on the U.S. as their main export market, are among the countries heavily affected by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

As a manufacturing hub, Vietnam is subject to a 46 percent tariff on exports to the United States. Meanwhile, its neighbor, Cambodia, a major producer of inexpensive clothing for major Western brands, faces a 49 percent duty.

Other ASEAN member countries facing high tariffs include Laos (48 percent), Myanmar (44 percent), Thailand (36 percent), and Indonesia (32 percent).

Malaysia, the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, is facing a lower tariff of 24 percent. Brunei also faces a 24 percent duty, while the Philippines faces a 17 percent duty, and Singapore 10 percent duty.

Editor's Choice: ASEAN Leaders' Statements on Trump's Tariff Policy

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