KUALA LUMPUR — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. voiced support on Monday for ASEAN’s decision to pursue non-retaliatory measures in response to the United States’ new tariff policies.
Speaking at the ASEAN plenary, Marcos praised Malaysia’s leadership in organizing the special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, where member states agreed to avoid retaliation. He emphasized that this unified and diplomatic approach reflects ASEAN’s commitment to a multilateral, rules-based trade system.
Marcos warned that unexpected trade barriers like the recent U.S. tariff hikes—17% in the case of Manila—could destabilize communities and supply chains. However, he expressed optimism that ASEAN’s cooperation and resilience can turn such challenges into opportunities for shared growth.
He also noted that the Philippines had already initiated informal consultations with other ASEAN countries and met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations despite the tariff hike.
During the ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting, chairperson Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz underscored the bloc’s deliberate choice of dialogue over retaliation, helping prevent economic escalation and preserve engagement with major trading partners, including the U.S.
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