Malaysia and likely the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are joining the tariff diplomacy that the Philippines has debuted with the United States amid President Donald Trump’s harsh global trade policy.

On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spoke by phone to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss ASEAN’s tariff and security challenges.

High tariffs make exports of local products to the United States uncompetitive, although the levy imposed on the Philippines is among the lowest in the region.

Mr. Marcos said he hopes to expand the discussion with other regional partners soon.

“I look forward to continuing these discussions with our ASEAN partners at the summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month,” he said.

Ibrahim agreed with Marcos’ sentiments on key regional and global issues.

The Malaysian leader also assured Marcos that Kuala Lumpur can leverage its position as ASEAN chair to “demonstrate interest” to the United States on the global tariff negotiations.

“The US decision to suspend the implementation of tariffs for 90 days provides relief to allow for further discussions on related matters,” he said.

He noted that Malaysia has “strengths” in several product types in its trade with the US. Malaysia is a source of electronic, metal and rubber parts.

Myanmar also discussed

In the call, Ibrahim told Marcos he desired an extension of the ceasefire in Myanmar, hoping for continued humanitarian aid to the country’s affected population.

Myanmar was struck by a magnitude-7.7 earthquake recently that claimed more than 3,800 lives. Ibrahim and Marcos called for unhampered assistance to those in need.

“We also agreed that any form of assistance should be channeled without any discrimination or restrictions,” the Malaysian leader said.

ASEAN member-states are set to convene for their 46th Summit between 26 and 27 May.

Hurdling trade barriers

Philippine economic officials are now in Washington D.C. to negotiate improved trade access amid President Trump’s barrage of tariff increases on US trade partners.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington said the meeting between the Philippine team and the United States Trade Representative resulted in positive results on negotiations to ease the Trump administration’s imposition of a restrictive 17-percent reciprocal tariff on the country.

President Trump earlier announced a 90-day pause on the high reciprocal tariffs imposed on other countries while retaining the blanket 10-percent duty on US trading partners.

In a statement, the embassy said the Philippine and US economic teams had a “productive” meeting.

The meeting took place on 2 May during which high-level officials of both countries discussed mutually beneficial ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

“Both sides expressed optimism on the future of PH-US trade and investment relations, especially in the context of economic security and fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade,” the embassy said.

Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Alliance must be complementary

During the meeting, Manila and Washington emphasized the importance of a strong economic and strategic partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

“Both countries agreed to undertake concrete steps in recognition of the complementary nature of our economies and the strategic value of our alliance,” the embassy said.

Romualdez said the Philippines will wait for the US team to take the next steps as they await a possible second meeting.

He said the Philippine team is confident of reaching a “good and mutually beneficial” agreement with the United States.

Before their departure, Roque said the Philippines’ goal is to bring the tariff down, as requested by manufacturers and exporters.

Go, on the other hand, hoped for a free trade agreement with the US.

According to government data, the US is the Philippines’ top export market with $12.12 billion of exported products in 2024, followed by China. In turn, the Philippines brought in $8.165 billion worth of goods in the same year.

ASEAN is formulating a collective response to Trump’s tariffs. Other member states such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are among nations that the levy would badly hit, as the countries would be slapped with 49 percent, 48 percent and 46 percent, respectively.