Kuala Lumpur: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has announced that ASEAN is in the planning stages of organizing a summit with the United States (US), aiming to address the latest shifts in trade and tariffs that could impact the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the discussions follow recent developments initiated by US President Donald Trump, who imposed a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. This move, aimed at protecting US metal producers, revoked previous exemptions and was seen as a potential precursor to a broader trade conflict. The new tariffs target imports from countries including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam, closing loopholes that allowed tariff circumvention.

In addition to talks with the US, Tengku Zafrul highlighted plans for an ASEAN summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, expected to occur in May. The primary objective is to foster discussions between ASEAN and GCC regarding a potential free trade agreement (FTA). ‘We want to increase and improve trade relations between GCC and ASEAN, and we are also looking at cross-border investment,’ Tengku Zafrul stated. Furthermore, he emphasized the aim to strengthen trade links and supply chain flows between ASEAN, GCC, and China.

As Malaysia holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, Tengku Zafrul assured that the coalition would remain stable and peaceful while working on upgrading its FTA. He reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining its centrality amid diverse perspectives within the bloc. ‘It is more important than ever in terms of the ability of ASEAN to stand together on issues that will affect all of us,’ he remarked in an interview with CNBC.