Kuala Lumpur: The ASEAN bloc should adopt a unified stance when negotiating retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States (US) to ensure equitable benefits for all member states, said Putra Business School (PBS) MBA Programme Director Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Ahmed Razman emphasized the importance of Malaysia taking the lead in persuading fellow ASEAN nations to speak with one voice in negotiations over the tariffs introduced during the administration of US President Donald Trump. He explained that individually, ASEAN countries lack the economic clout to counter US trade measures, but a united front would represent a formidable regional force. His comments were made during a special broadcast on the 46th ASEAN Summit aired on Bernama TV on Wednesday.

Dr Ahmed Razman further elaborated on the need for a consensus-based strategy within ASEAN. He highlighted that while the region aims to strengthen ties with China, individual efforts would play into the hands of the US’s trade policies. He stressed the proverb “united we stand, divided we fall” as a call to action for ASEAN countries, particularly with Malaysia serving as the ASEAN Chair, to fully embrace this collective approach.

In addition, Dr Ahmed Razman pointed out the importance of boosting intra-ASEAN trade by increasing domestic demand across the region, which is home to approximately 700 million people. He noted that consumer purchasing power is a critical factor, and without it, trade growth would be stunted.

Malaysia, as Chair and host of ASEAN 2025, will convene the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 26. The summit will also include two high-level meetings, the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, both seen as key platforms for strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation.