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ASEAN won’t retaliate to US tariffs, vows to safeguard bloc interest
The economic ministers of the ten member states explained that retaliation would not be beneficial as the US was Southeast Asia’s biggest source of foreign direct investment and second-largest trading partner in 2024. The US was also the bloc’s fifth largest trading partner in the same year.
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A general view of the 2025 ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia on April 10, 2025. (Reuters/Hasnoor Hussain)
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SEAN’s economic ministers committed on Thursday to refrain from imposing any retaliation measures against the United States over its sweeping tariffs, stressing that the bloc is ready for dialogue with Washington to discuss potential cooperation.
In a joint statement, Southeast Asian economic ministers also stated the bloc remains committed to safeguarding the region’s economic interests, while maintaining strong and mutually beneficial trade relations with the US.
The ministers explained that retaliation would not be beneficial as the US was Southeast Asia’s biggest source of foreign direct investment and second-largest trading partner in 2024. The US was also the bloc’s fifth largest trading partner in the same year.
"We express our common intention 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," ASEAN economic ministers said in a statement issued after a video conference meeting.
The economic ministers of the 10-nation bloc convened in a video conference on Thursday to assess the impacts of the sweeping tariffs. Malaysia holds the rotating chair of the regional bloc.
They called for a transparent, rules-based multilateral trade system anchored by the World Trade Organization and urged its role in curbing escalating trade tensions.
The economic bloc also pledged to deepen intraregional trade and investment to reinforce their push for stronger economic integration in the region.
