No 'retaliatory measures' against US: ASEAN ministers

KUALA LUMPUR

Economic ministers of the ASEAN regional bloc committed on Thursday "to not impose any retaliatory measures" against the United States over sweeping tariffs and said they were ready to engage in talks.

The ministers said retaliation would not be beneficial as the United States was ASEAN's biggest source of foreign direct investments and second-largest trading partner in 2024.

"ASEAN, being the fifth-largest economy in the world, is deeply concerned over the recent introduction of unilateral tariffs by the U.S., including the tariffs announced on 2 April 2025 and subsequently the most recent suspension on 9 April 2025," the ministers said in a statement issued after a video conference meeting.

Despite that, the ministers said they were ready "to engage in a frank and constructive dialogue with the U.S. to address trade-related concerns."

"Open communication and collaboration will be crucial to ensuring a balanced and sustainable relationship. In that spirit, ASEAN commits to not impose any retaliatory measures in response to the U.S. tariffs," they said.

Malaysia's trade ministry said in a separate statement that all ASEAN members were "united in the opinion that retaliation is not an option."

The special meeting was chaired by Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz. Malaysia holds the rotating chair of the regional bloc, home to more than 650 million people.

ASEAN members, which count on the United States as their main export market, were among those hit with the toughest levies by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Manufacturing powerhouse Vietnam was hit with a 46 percent tariff on exports to the United States, while neighboring Cambodia—a major producer of low-cost clothing for big Western brands—was slapped with a 49 percent duty.

The other ASEAN members hit with hefty tariffs are Laos (48 percent), Myanmar (44 percent), Thailand (36 percent), and Indonesia (32 percent).

Malaysia, Southeast Asia's third-largest economy, was hit with a lower tariff of 24 percent.

Brunei also faces a 24 percent tariff, while the Philippines was hit with 17 percent and Singapore 10 percent.