ASEAN Hopes for Predictability on Trump’s Tariffs
ASEAN is seeking a resolution to recent US tariff hikes that have impacted Southeast Asian economies. Officials are concerned about the unpredictability of trade relations under the Trump administration, which justifies the tariffs as a measure against forced labor.
Why it matters
Trade friction between the US and ASEAN threatens regional economic stability and complicates global supply chain predictability.
July 29, 2026 | 3:44 pm SHARE URL berhasil di salin. US President Donald Trump attends the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. (Photo Courtesy of the White House) Manila. ASEAN is seeking to quickly resolve the double-digit tariff issues with the United States to avoid unpredictability for the region's businesses, according to the Southeast Asian bloc's secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
US President Donald Trump has been targeting Washington's trading partners - including ASEAN members - with steep tariff hikes since April 2025. Just a few days ago, Trump slapped new levies of either 10% or 12.5% on Southeast Asian economies, with the Philippines and Singapore among the worst hit.
Speaking at the 10th ASEAN Media Forum in Manila, Kao admitted that the tariffs remained an "ongoing issue".
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