ASEAN struggles to boost regional trade amid Trump tariff threat

U.S. policy renews urgency to deepen economic ties within Southeast Asian bloc

By TSUBASA SURUGA, NORMAN GOH, ISMI DAMAYANTI and MAI NGUYEN

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA/HANOI — When U.S. President Donald Trump hit ASEAN nations with tariffs averaging 33%, it exposed the vulnerability of the region’s success as a global production hub.

in Kuala Lumpur, leaders sought to demonstrate unity. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, this year’s ASEAN chair, said the world is “witnessing the fraying of the global order.”

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