ASEAN Ministers Reject U.S. Tariffs, Push for Dialogue at Special Meeting

Credit Photo : MITI

KUALA LUMPUR, April 10, 2025 — ASEAN economic ministers, meeting today in a special session, strongly criticized the United States’ recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs, ranging from 10% to 49%, calling them a threat to the region’s economic growth and integration. The ministers, joined by Timor-Leste and chaired by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, vowed to pursue negotiations over retaliation to address the escalating trade tensions.

The tariffs, announced by the U.S. on April 2, were paused for 90 days on April 9, with a baseline 10% rate applied in the interim. ASEAN leaders see this as a chance to seek a “pragmatic and mutually advantageous solution” through strategic dialogue. The ministers rejected the calculations behind the U.S. tariffs, arguing they undermine ASEAN’s rules-based economic framework, in place since the bloc’s founding in 1967.

The meeting also highlighted concerns raised by the World Trade Organization’s Director General, who warned that U.S.-China trade tensions could shrink global GDP by nearly 7% long-term. ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, fair, and inclusive global trading system, with the WTO at its core, noting that the U.S.’s actions, including so-called Liberation Day tariffs, erode trust and stability in global markets.

To tackle these challenges, the ministers agreed to form an ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force. This expert-led group will craft policies to bolster the region’s resilience and strategic position amid growing geopolitical and economic complexities.

ASEAN’s stance will be further discussed at an upcoming Special ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting, which aims to safeguard regional trade, supply chains, and investment flows. Malaysia, meanwhile, pledged to engage directly with the U.S. to find a fair resolution.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, host of the meeting, underscored its role in positioning Malaysia as a global trade and investment hub, committed to fostering economic stability and growth across the region.