Asean Leaders Set to Share 'Deep Concern' Over Trump's Tariffs

Bloc Finds Itself Caught in Trade Battle Between Its Biggest Economic Partners

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KUALA LUMPUR - South-east Asian leaders will express deep concern over US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz when they meet at a summit on May 26, warning that the unilateral move poses huge challenges to economic growth and stability in the region, according to a draft statement seen by AFP.

Mr Trump's tariffs have roiled global markets and upended international commerce, leaving leaders from the 10-member Asean bloc scrambling for ways to limit the fallout on their trade-dependent economies.

The bloc is also caught in the trade battle between its biggest trading partners, the US and China, on which Washington has heaped the highest tariffs.

According to a draft statement expected to be issued by Asean leaders after they meet on May 26, they will express "deep concern...over the imposition of unilateral tariff measures".

Mr Trump's measures "pose complex and multidimensional challenges to Asean's economic growth, stability and integration", according to the draft of the Asean chairman's statement seen by AFP.

The leaders also "reaffirmed Asean's collective commitment" to the global free trading system, it said.

After the bloc's meeting on May 26, the leaders are to hold a one-day summit with China and Middle Eastern oil producers.