Published: East Forum Asia

Date: 25 April 2025

Authors: Mari Pangestu/Shiro Armstrong

Southeast Asia was hard hit by US President Donald Trump’s so-called Liberation Day tariffs given its high integration into global value chains. Leaders were quick to declare they will not retaliate with tariffs of their own and ASEAN has begun to monitor developments and coordinate collective responses. If the reciprocal tariffs are reinstated, the rules-based international economic order is at risk. ASEAN can help to fill a leadership vacuum in multilateralism, using its centrality and working as a group.

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