KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 – The resurgence of protectionist trade policies under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration—dubbed “Trump 2.0”—has become a catalyst for closer economic cooperation between ASEAN and China, according to Malaysia-China Business Council chairman Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan.
Speaking at the ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum today, Low said the growing threat of a renewed U.S.-China trade war should galvanise policymakers in the region to enhance crisis-response mechanisms and reinforce collaborative frameworks. He urged both ASEAN and China to ramp up intergovernmental communication and information sharing to maintain regional economic stability.
“With a full-blown trade war potentially looming, the ripple effects on the global economy are significant. It is vital for like-minded countries such as those in ASEAN and China to uphold the international rules-based trading system,” said Low. “Strengthening regional collaboration and resisting rising protectionism must be our shared priority.”
He stressed that Malaysia, as the current ASEAN Chair, is actively engaging with fellow member states to formulate a collective stance on reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S., in a bid to ensure that fairness and multilateralism remain the cornerstones of international trade.
Low also highlighted the forthcoming upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) as a pivotal step toward deeper regional economic integration. The agreement, expected to be signed this year, will enhance market access and economic synergy between the two sides.
“ASEAN-China relations must now evolve into holistic cooperation across all fields,” he said, calling for the establishment of more structured communication channels, including strategic and policy coordination mechanisms, to jointly respond to external trade shocks like tariffs.
He proposed that ASEAN and China pursue greater consensus on regional strategies and further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards building a shared future community.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bioeconomy Corporation chairman Dr. Lee Boon Chye said during a panel titled “Building ASEAN-China Super-sized Markets Together” that the growing challenges posed by “Trump 2.0” made ASEAN-China unity more critical than ever.
Currently, 60% of trade between ASEAN and China is conducted under zero-tariff agreements, thanks to progressive liberalisation under existing trade pacts. Lee urged both parties to expand this arrangement, especially in anticipation of further tariff escalations.
“With the threat of tariff wars re-emerging, ASEAN and China must stand together and push for more zero-tariff deals and joint trade mechanisms,” he said.
The ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum was jointly organised by Bernama and Xinhua News Agency under the theme “Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation.” The forum brought together over 200 participants—including senior government officials, media leaders, think tank representatives, and business experts—to foster deeper regional engagement and collaboration.
Notable attendees included Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.
— BERNAMA
