‘Asean’s moment is now’: Malaysia’s Anwar on bloc’s response to AI, tariff challenges

Name: ‘Asean’s moment is now’: Malaysia’s Anwar on the bloc’s response to AI, tariff challenges
Uploaded: 2025-02-17T02:39:22.000Z
Duration: 4 min 41 s
Description: ‘Asean’s moment is now’: Malaysia’s Anwar on the bloc’s response to AI, tariff challenges

Malaysia’s PM in his speech at the ‘China Conference: Southeast Asia 2025’, organised by the Post, also speaks out against ‘economic coercion and unilateral actions’

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‘Asean’s moment is now’: Malaysia’s Anwar on the bloc’s response to AI, tariff challenges

Joseph SipalanandHadi Azmi

Published: 10:39am, 17 Feb 2025Updated: 1:51pm, 18 Feb 2025

Asean’s relationship with China needs to grow beyond traditional trade and investment and focus on preparing the region for future challenges, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said, warning that artificial intelligence and fresh American tariffs threaten to upend the global economy.

Anwar on Monday said economic cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China must be driven by strategic technological collaboration, sustainable growth and human capital development to take full advantage of the benefits of AI and the digital economy.

He also stressed in his opening speech at the “China Conference: Southeast Asia 2025” that the region must be prepared to transition to renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.

“Asean must move beyond reacting to global shifts. We must lead,” Anwar added at the event, organised by the South China Morning Post.

“Our success depends on how well we integrate new technologies, develop economic frameworks and secure a more equitable and sustainable future for all.”

Global markets have roiled in recent weeks after the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House in January, as he doubled down on his promise to impose broad-based tariffs aimed not only at Chinese exports but also other nations seen to have wide trade deficits with the US.

Anwar said Malaysia remained firmly non-aligned when it came to navigating rivalries between major powers, such as the current trade and technology wars between the US and China.