President Marcos, Anwar discuss Asean economic, security issues

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May 4, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos received a call on Friday from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who engaged him in discussions about the Trump administration’s tariff policy and the ceasefire in Myanmar.

In a Facebook post, Marcos said he and Anwar discussed economic and security challenges facing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Their conversation came weeks before Kuala Lumpur’s hosting of the ASEAN summit.

“I expect these discussions to continue with our fellow leaders during the summit in Kuala Lumpur this month,” the President said.

Also on Facebook, Anwar said he had called Marcos to discuss some regional and global developments.

According to him, the US decision to delay the implementation of tariffs for 90 days has provided some relief, allowing for further discussions on related matters. He cited Malaysia’s position of strength with regard to certain products.

“On the issue of tariffs, as the ASEAN chair, I conveyed that Malaysia can leverage its position to demonstrate its significance to the United States in global tariff negotiations,” Anwar said.

Panic and disbelief greeted US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on more than 100 countries, including the Philippines and Malaysia, citing the need for American industries to take the lead again in global commerce.

Trump claimed that the US had been “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” by other countries under the previous tariff regime and that his “Liberation Day” tariffs would “make America wealthy again.”

Under Trump’s tariff policy, Philippine exports to the US would be slapped with a 17 percent tariff, lower than those for most Southeast Asian countries, but higher than the 10 percent baseline figure.

Tariff rates stand at 49 percent rate for Cambodia, 46 percent for Vietnam, 36 percent for Thailand, 32 percent for Indonesia, 24 percent for Malaysia and 10 percent for Singapore.

Trump would later announce a 90-day pause on all tariffs except the one on China, which was raised to 125 percent from 104 percent after Beijing announced retaliatory tariffs against Washington.

Southeast Asian trade ministers are eyeing “frank and constructive” dialogue with the US to address trade-related concerns.

Myanmar ceasefire

In the same phone conversation, Anwar said he informed Marcos of Malaysia’s call for an extension of the ceasefire in Myanmar to ensure humanitarian aid would reach the affected population.

“We were also in agreement that any form of assistance must be delivered without discrimination or restrictions,” the Malaysian leader said.

In a recent statement, Anwar “strongly urged” the continuation and extension of unilateral ceasefires announced by various stakeholders in Myanmar that were scheduled to expire on April 30.

According to the Malaysian government, the existing ceasefire, which is currently limited to earthquake-affected regions in Sagaing and Mandalay, must not only be preserved but must be expanded as well to ensure safe, uninterrupted and unhindered humanitarian access to all communities in need.

A comprehensive humanitarian ceasefire is essential to facilitate safe, impartial and effective humanitarian operations across the country and to ensure the safety of humanitarian and medical teams on the ground, it added.

The Myanmar junta, which ousted the democratically elected government, has been prohibited from joining ASEAN summits since 2022. The Philippines has replaced Myanmar as the summit’s host next year.

Anwar said he also wished Marcos success in the Philippine election and expressed hope that they would meet at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The 46th ASEAN Summit will take place in Malaysia from May 26 to 27.