Asean cannot drift on autopilot

Tariffs and the eruption of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia have been wake-up calls.

- Simon Tay

Criticisms about Asean, the regional grouping of South-east Asian states, are perennial but two have resurfaced recently.

First, US President Donald Trump has reignited global trade turbulence with a new round of tariffs. Rather than acting collectively, Asean members scrambled to strike individual deals, undercutting the grouping's claim to be an integrated economic community.

Second, border skirmishes between Cambodia and Thailand escalated into violence before being brought under control. The flare-up begged the question: could Asean leaders do more to keep the peace within its own ranks?

The standard answers are familiar. Asean is not a customs union and has never attempted to negotiate a common tariff rate. Nor does the grouping have standing peacekeeping structures, unlike the United Nations.

On the positive side, Asean has scored successes in striking free trade agreements with key partners, while its "amity and cooperation" norms have enabled multilateral dialogue and understanding.

These are accurate explanations but are they adequate? Does today's turbulence, fuelled by trade shocks and conflict within the region, require Asean to act differently? What is the Asean we need for the future?

ASEAN'S 2045 VISION

In May, leaders adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the "Asean Community Vision 2045".

Prepared by eminent persons, the document outlines aspirations for the grouping to be a "resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred" community.

The rhetoric is uplifting, but Asean must take immediate and practical steps to strengthen its relevance. Consensus will remain the basis of Asean decision-making, but overly academic debate about why the organisation falls short risks finger-pointing and paralysis.