Malaysian PM Asserts Southeast Asia Needs to 'stand firm' on U.S. Tariffs
Malaysian Prime Minister emphasizes the importance of Southeast Asia maintaining a solid stance against the United States.
TroibNews 
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Southeast Asian nations on Monday to "stand firm together" in response to the significant impact of U.S. tariffs.
The stringent tariffs recently imposed by President Donald Trump on various countries, regardless of their alliances, have caused turmoil in stock markets and raised concerns among governments globally.
"We must stand firm together as ASEAN – with a population of 640 million and an economic strength that is among the top in the world," Anwar remarked during a meeting with his department staff.
A meeting of Southeast Asian economic ministers is scheduled for Thursday to address the tariffs.
Anwar emphasized that his government's role is "to contact our friends in ASEAN so that each country can state its position, but at the same time, we move together as a group."
Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Vietnam, known as a manufacturing powerhouse, faces a hefty 46 percent tariff on its exports to the United States, while neighboring Cambodia, a notable supplier of affordable clothing for major Western brands, has received a 49 percent tariff. Malaysia, as the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, faces a lesser tariff of 24 percent.
Like other ASEAN countries, Kuala Lumpur has made it clear that it will not retaliate against the United States, despite rejecting claims that it imposes a 47 percent tariff on U.S. goods.
"I think two wrongs don't make a right," Malaysia's Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz stated during a press conference.
"It's important that we remain calm, because anything that will result in trade war is not for the benefit of the global economy."
Ian Smith for TROIB News
The stringent tariffs recently imposed by President Donald Trump on various countries, regardless of their alliances, have caused turmoil in stock markets and raised concerns among governments globally.
"We must stand firm together as ASEAN – with a population of 640 million and an economic strength that is among the top in the world," Anwar remarked during a meeting with his department staff.
A meeting of Southeast Asian economic ministers is scheduled for Thursday to address the tariffs.
Anwar emphasized that his government's role is "to contact our friends in ASEAN so that each country can state its position, but at the same time, we move together as a group."
Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Vietnam, known as a manufacturing powerhouse, faces a hefty 46 percent tariff on its exports to the United States, while neighboring Cambodia, a notable supplier of affordable clothing for major Western brands, has received a 49 percent tariff. Malaysia, as the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, faces a lesser tariff of 24 percent.
Like other ASEAN countries, Kuala Lumpur has made it clear that it will not retaliate against the United States, despite rejecting claims that it imposes a 47 percent tariff on U.S. goods.
"I think two wrongs don't make a right," Malaysia's Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz stated during a press conference.
"It's important that we remain calm, because anything that will result in trade war is not for the benefit of the global economy."
Ian Smith for TROIB News
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