ASEAN Leaders Meet in Kuala Lumpur to Address US Tariffs, Regional Security, Myanmar Peace Talks

Southeast Asian leaders convened for the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur to address escalating economic tensions from U.S. tariffs and ongoing regional security issues, including the Myanmar civil war. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chairing the summit, emphasized the need for a unified ASEAN approach in dialogue with the U.S., having formally requested a summit with President Donald Trump to seek resolution on trade disputes. The bloc faces tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%, which threaten economic growth, prompting ASEAN to establish a taskforce to coordinate responses alongside bilateral negotiations. Leaders also sought to strengthen ties with China and Gulf Cooperation Council nations to diversify economic partnerships amid global uncertainty. Myanmar's crisis remained a critical topic, with ASEAN pursuing peace talks and considering appointing a permanent envoy to facilitate dialogue between the military junta and opposition groups, though the junta chief remains excluded from the summit. Despite these efforts, analysts and observers express skepticism regarding ASEAN's capacity to effectively intervene in the conflicts or significantly alter the trade dynamics with the U.S.