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ASEAN

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the East Asia Summit foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 12, 2025
Trump tariffs not broached in two ASEAN-related meetings with U.S. officials
The lack of any mention of trade concerns was glaring amid reports that countries are looking at diversifying partnerships as a way to weather U.S. tariffs.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Post-Ministerial Conference with China during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 10, 2025
Malaysia says China will sign Southeast Asia's nuke-free treaty
China will sign the treaty as soon as all documentation is ready, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio deplanes upon arrival at the Subang Air Base outside of Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Rubio is attending an Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Kuala Lumpur.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 10, 2025
Rubio to meet Lavrov while U.S. sends more weapons to Ukraine
The U.S. and Russia's top diplomats are expected to hold talks on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Kuala Lumpur.
"The aggressiveness of China has been several years in the making," Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said virtually at the Reuters NEXT Asia summit in Singapore on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 9, 2025
Philippine defense chief rules out U.S. as factor in China's 'expansionist' agenda
Despite rising tension in the regional flash point of the South China Sea, the Philippines' top defense official also dismissed fears that conflict was on the horizon.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 20
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 8, 2025
Trump's latest tariffs cast shadow on Rubio's first Asia trip as top U.S. envoy
Rubio is expected to seek to firm up U.S. ties with partners unnerved by Trump's global tariff strategy, but the tariff announcements seem certain to make that task harder.
By spurring the ASEAN countries to deepen cooperation, with one another and with others, U.S. tariffs could bring about an even more prosperous — and, crucially, resilient — grouping.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 9, 2025
Trump vs. a united ASEAN
By spurring the ASEAN countries to deepen cooperation, U.S. tariffs could bring about an even more prosperous — and, crucially, resilient — grouping.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech during the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum's official dinner in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 28, 2025
China aims to capitalize on U.S. tariff turmoil with new ASEAN-GCC forum
The summit with Southeast Asian and Arab Gulf states is the latest sign of more countries looking to join hands to fend off U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff push.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center), locks hands with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah during a group photo at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 27, 2025
As ASEAN touts unity, Philippines seeks consensus on South China Sea
Manila’s call on the 10-member bloc comes as the situation between China and the Philippines has turned particularly tense.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks with the press as he waits to greet leaders before an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 26, 2025
ASEAN nations decry Trump tariffs at summit and seek to diversify trade
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim opened talks by saying that he had written to President Donald Trump seeking a U.S.-ASEAN meeting on the topic.
The ASEAN logo is displayed with Kuala Lumpur's skyline in the background on Friday ahead of an ASEAN summit in the city.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
May 24, 2025
U.S. tariff tensions test Southeast Asian leaders at regional summit
ASEAN leaders will express deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff blitz when they meet at a summit Monday, according to a draft statement.
Trade minister Yoji Muto
BUSINESS
Apr 30, 2025
Japan keen to team up with ASEAN for free trade system
ASEAN said it will continue constructive dialogue with Washington while maintaining the rules-based multilateral trade system.
Cranes and containers are pictured at the Yantian port in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 21, 2025
China warns countries against striking trade deals with U.S.
Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said.
A police car enters Insein prison before the release of prisoners to commemorate the Buddhist New Year in Yangon on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 17, 2025
Myanmar junta to free nearly 5,000 prisoners in amnesty
The junta said 13 foreign nationals would also be pardoned and deported, without giving details of their identities or crimes.
ASEAN should use the 90-day pause on Donald Trump’s punishingly high tariffs to develop a unified position and broaden its membership by admitting East Timor and opening accession talks with Sri Lanka.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 16, 2025
ASEAN should expand to counter Trump’s tariffs
It came as no surprise that China would be the hardest hit, but the punishing duties imposed on most Asian countries were a profound shock.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping waves as he arrives for a two-day state visit at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 14, 2025
Xi seeks to win with Southeast Asia trip as Trump pauses some tariffs
Xi arrived in Vietnam on Monday and was due to visit Malaysia and Cambodia later this week, just days after Trump raised tariffs on China but gave everyone else a 90-day pause.
Asian countries can counter Donald Trump’s protectionism by deepening regional trade, financial cooperation and strategic alliances to reduce U.S. dependence.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2025
Asia must unite to survive Trump 2.0
Asian countries can counter Donald Trump’s protectionism by deepening regional trade, financial cooperation and strategic alliances to reduce U.S. dependence.
Just like in times of old, with unresolved territorial disputes, regional disunity and economic self-interest prevailing over solidarity, Southeast Asia faces growing instability as tensions escalate.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2025
Southeast Asia must learn to defend itself
Would any of the region’s governments lift a finger to maintain peace on behalf of a neighbor?
The 50th ASEAN-Japan commemorative summit was held in Tokyo in December 2023. Japan has strong relations with ASEAN member countries and should continue leveraging this position to pursue its Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Feb 14, 2025
Why ASEAN is crucial to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Tokyo understands ASEAN's centrality to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision better than Washington does and should continue leading in defending this regional order.
A man walks pastthe ASEAN logo during the ASEAN foreign ministers' retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 19, 2025
Malaysia takes on ASEAN mantle but tempers expectations on Myanmar and South China Sea
Malaysia is committed to addressing regional issues, but expectations on Myanmar and disputes in the South China Sea should be measured, a top official said.
A train passes over downtown Kuala Lumpur
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2024
ASEAN's second renaissance is now
The bloc’s economies, despite varying political landscapes, rank among the world’s most dynamic.

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