Commentary: With Southeast Asia hard hit by Trump tariffs, here’s what ASEAN can do next

WHAT ASEAN DOES NEXT

The next phase of ASEAN’s response will need to consider these global interests. It can help to fill a leadership vacuum in multilateralism. There are two principles that ASEAN already practises that can guide action and cooperation.

First, if ASEAN does what’s in its interests consistent with its principles, that will contribute to global efforts to protect the rules-based multilateral trading system.

That includes avoiding retaliation that would just bring more economic pain, using measures consistent with rules and institutions ASEAN has committed to, and continuing to work as a group. Deviating from those guiding principles may unravel ASEAN.

Second is to protect and practise ASEAN centrality. ASEAN is not only central to its Southeast Asian member states, it is central to broader Asian cooperation. ASEAN should use its centrality, or risk losing it.

ASEAN will find willing partners in its own region. The foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea met a few days before the announcement of Mr Trump’s tariffs, agreeing to jointly respond to US tariffs and “to strengthen the implementation of RCEP”, referring to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the 15-country free trade agreement that was created and is led by ASEAN.