Asean Must Press On With Economic Integration To Withstand Global Headwinds: Vivian

Grouping should go ahead with internal reforms, boost ties with external partners

- Hariz Baharudin

Asean must double down on economic integration so that it can better withstand growing global headwinds, including rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty, said Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on July 11.

Speaking to Singapore media after the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Balakrishnan said the grouping's response to recent developments, including new tariff announcements from the US, must be to press ahead with internal reforms and strengthen ties with external partners.

"Remember, our overall vision ultimately is to make Asean a single production zone, a single investment zone. And that means bringing down barriers, not just tariff barriers but non-tariff barriers as well," he said.

Dr Balakrishnan noted that the overall tone of the week-long meetings that he had with Asean as well as its key partners was "sober," shaped by multiple crises worldwide.

He pointed to the wars going on in Europe and the Middle East, and highlighted how the US tariff announcements had occurred "rapid-fire."

US President Donald Trump had from July 8 started announcing levies of between 25 per cent and 40 per cent on eight of the 10 Asean nations, which are slated to take effect in August.

Singapore and Vietnam, however, have yet to receive any formal notification from the White House.

Dr Balakrishnan stressed that in talks with the US, he had always underlined that trade is strategic to Asean, and the flow of trade and investments is a key strategic focus for all governments in the region.