U.S. Tariff Tensions Test Southeast Asian Leaders at Regional Summit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) and Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (L) shake hands during a press conference following their bilateral meeting ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Putrajaya on May 25, 2025. (Photo by HASNOOR HUSSAIN / POOL / AFP)

By Jan Hennop in Kuala Lumpur and Martin Abbugao in Singapore

Southeast Asian leaders will express deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz when they meet at a summit Monday, warning that the unilateral move poses huge challenges to economic growth and stability in the region, according to a draft statement seen by AFP.

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by Agence France-Presse

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