ASEAN’s Response to US Tariffs: Toward a Unified Regional Strategy

The United States has announced sweeping tariff measures on a wide range of imports, targeting countries with persistent trade surpluses or perceived unfair trade practices. ASEAN member states were directly affected, with tariffs ranging from 10 percent to as high as 49 percent. The move has not only disrupted established trade flows but also prompted a wave of individual and collective responses across Southeast Asia.

ASEAN now finds itself at a crossroads—whether to navigate the tariffs through separate bilateral engagements or to forge a more unified position. With Malaysia holding the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, there is growing momentum to develop a coordinated response that balances diplomacy, resilience, and regional solidarity.

Tariffs by country and varying levels of exposure

The U.S. tariffs imposed on ASEAN countries in April 2025 are as follows:

• Cambodia: 49 percent
• Laos: 48 percent
• Vietnam: 46 percent
• Myanmar: 44 percent
• Thailand: 36 percent
• Indonesia: 32 percent
• Malaysia: 24 percent
• Brunei: 24 percent
• Philippines: 17 percent
• Singapore: 10 percent (baseline)

While some countries like Cambodia and Vietnam face steep duties on key export categories, others like Singapore and the Philippines are less exposed due to their diversified economies or lower U.S. export reliance.

National responses: Diplomacy, dialogue, and caution

In a significant development, the United States, on April 9, announced a 90-day pause on the elevated tariff rates for countries that have not retaliated against its trade measures. While a universal 10 percent tariff remains in effect during this period, the suspension provides ASEAN countries with a critical window to reassess their trade strategies, pursue diplomatic engagement, and consider a collective regional response.

The 90-day pause has prompted renewed diplomatic activity across Southeast Asia, with several ASEAN countries using the suspension period to re-engage with the U.S. and strengthen their strategic posture:

ASEAN countries have so far responded cautiously, emphasizing diplomatic engagement over retaliation:

• Indonesia has opted for negotiation, dispatching senior trade officials to Washington and affirming its desire for fair trade rather than confrontation.
• Vietnam is sending a special envoy and has indicated a willingness to adjust some tariffs on U.S. goods to de-escalate tensions.
• Thailand and Myanmar are conducting internal assessments and opening lines of communication with the U.S.
• Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, is coordinating talks among member states to explore a common regional approach.
• Brunei and Laos are engaging diplomatically while evaluating the potential economic fallout.
• Singapore and the Philippines have taken a watchful stance, monitored developments and prepared domestic industry support measures.

Malaysia’s leadership: Steering toward regional coordination

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia has emerged as a key figure in steering ASEAN toward a unified response. As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has initiated discussions with counterparts from Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and the Philippines. The goal is to formulate a collective approach that balances national interests with ASEAN’s broader trade and economic agenda.

A regional summit is expected in the coming weeks, where ASEAN leaders will discuss potential action points. These may include joint diplomatic outreach to Washington, intra-ASEAN trade facilitation, and harmonized messaging on multilateral platforms like the WTO.

Toward a unified ASEAN trade strategy

While ASEAN has traditionally emphasized consensus and non-confrontation, the tariffs have underscored the need for a more agile and united trade strategy. A coordinated ASEAN stance could:

• Strengthen bargaining power in bilateral and multilateral negotiations.
• Promote intra-ASEAN trade to reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
• Accelerate regional integration mechanisms under RCEP and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
• Support vulnerable economies like Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar through joint assistance and supply chain diversification.

Conclusion: Solidarity in the face of pressure

The U.S. tariffs have tested ASEAN’s cohesion at a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by protectionism and strategic competition. The diverse responses so far reflect the region’s economic heterogeneity—but also its shared interest in maintaining stable trade ties.

As ASEAN leaders prepare to meet, the opportunity lies not only in managing the immediate disruption but in setting a precedent for deeper economic cooperation. A unified front would not only enhance ASEAN’s global standing but also send a clear message: Southeast Asia is prepared to engage, adapt, and act together when the stakes are high.

This article was originally uploaded on April 7 and has since been updated

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