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Southeast Asian foreign ministers are gathering in Malaysia this week as the region confronts rising trade and geopolitical tensions. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet Wednesday, followed by sessions with major trade partners including the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, India, and the EU on Thursday and Friday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on his first Asia tour, will attend amid backlash over President Donald Trump’s new tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on six ASEAN nations. Despite efforts to negotiate, only Vietnam has secured a deal to reduce its levy to 20%. Other nations like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia plan to continue discussions before the August 1 implementation.
A leaked draft of the ASEAN joint communiqué, dated July 7, criticizes unilateral tariff actions as "counterproductive" and warns of increased global economic fragmentation. While not naming the U.S., the language mirrors earlier statements. ASEAN leaders have vowed not to retaliate and to ensure bilateral deals with Washington won’t harm intra-bloc solidarity.
Vietnam and others face added uncertainty as U.S. tariffs could target transshipped goods from China, raising enforcement concerns. Trump also hinted at further duties on BRICS-aligned nations, which could affect Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Beyond trade, ASEAN faces internal rifts. A border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated after Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended over a leaked call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen. This adds pressure on the bloc, already struggling with issues like Myanmar’s civil war and stalled negotiations with China over the South China Sea.
ASEAN will also push forward its nuclear weapons-free zone treaty in a bid to reinforce regional security amid these mounting challenges.
