Southeast Asian leaders talk tariffs, truce and East Timor

Southeast Asian leaders met Monday in Kuala Lumpur for their first summit since US President Donald Trump’s tariffs upended global economic norms, with the trade-dependent nations expected to issue a joint message of deep concern.

- 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will also attempt to increase pressure on Myanmar’s military junta and iron out remaining issues with East Timor’s application to join the bloc.

ASEAN’s strategy of nurturing diverse economic alliances was on full display as Chinese Premier Li Qiang touched down in the Malaysian capital, a day ahead of talks with the bloc and Gulf states.

“A transition in the geopolitical order is underway and the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of US unilateral tariffs,” according to prepared opening remarks by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.