Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim Calls for a United ASEAN Against Trump's Tariffs

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Southeast Asian countries to unite in facing the import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Anwar, Southeast Asia is among the hardest hit by U.S. tariffs.

The massive levies imposed last week by President Donald Trump on friends and foes have rocked stock markets and raised concerns for governments worldwide. “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 said at a prime minister’s department staff meeting, as quoted from Al Arabiya. 

Southeast Asian economic ministers will hold a meeting on Thursday to discuss the tariffs. Anwar Ibrahim stated that it is the task of his government to contact ASEAN countries so that each country can determine its position. “At the same time, we move together as a group,” he said.

This year, Malaysia holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which consists of 10 members and is determined in rotation. In ASEAN, manufacturing powerhouse Vietnam is subject to a 46 percent tariff, while Cambodia, a major producer of low-cost clothing for big Western brands, is hit with a 49 percent duty.

Malaysia, the third largest economy in Southeast Asia, faces a lower tariff of 24 percent.

Like other ASEAN member states, Kuala Lumpur has stated that it will not retaliate against the United States. Malaysia denies Washington's claim that they impose a 47 percent tariff on US goods.

“I think two wrongs don’t make a right,” Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said at a press conference. “It’s important that we remain calm, because anything that will result in (a) trade war is not for the benefit of the global economy.”

On Sunday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Seri Perdana complex, Putrajaya, Malaysia. A key focus of their meeting was US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy and its potential impact on several ASEAN member states.

Anwar shared a glimpse of the meeting on Instagram (@anwaribrahim_my), where Prabowo was seen accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. “We addressed important regional issues,” Anwar wrote in Malay on Monday, April 7

Anwar Ibrahim did not provide further details on the tariff discussion. As of Sunday evening, neither Malaysia nor Indonesia’s presidential office had issued an official statement regarding the closed-door talks.

Novali Panji Nugroho contributed to this article.

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