• ASEAN leaders will meet to address US tariffs and their impact on trade.
• The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar will also be a key topic.
• Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasizes the need for economic cooperation with both the US and China.
• The summit is part of a broader dialogue involving Gulf Cooperation Council members and Chinese leadership.
• Concerns about trade tensions and regional stability dominate the agenda.

Malaysia is preparing to host the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26-27, where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that key discussions will revolve around US tariffs, the civil conflict in Myanmar, and maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Anwar emphasized the importance of a unified ASEAN position when addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing trade tensions with the United States, particularly in light of significant tariff increases affecting region-wide economic growth, which has left many Southeast Asian economies vulnerable, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

In recent communications, Anwar noted that ASEAN members have been pursuing negotiations with the US to mitigate the impact of tariffs that range significantly from 10% to 49%. He mentioned that the US has assured Malaysia that it would review its situation “sympathetically,” paving the way for further discussions on economic collaboration, particularly with prominent partners such as China and the European Union. Underlining ASEAN's commitment, he stated, “We want to have that synergy to enhance trade investments” according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

The anticipated summit will also place significant focus on the crisis in Myanmar, where ongoing civil conflict has created humanitarian challenges. Anwar recently met with Myanmar's junta chief, who provided assurances regarding a ceasefire and aiding affected communities. However, critics argue that such military engagement has not translated into meaningful progress and have implored ASEAN to adopt a more assertive stance in encouraging the junta toward genuine reforms. The ongoing military actions by the junta, including airstrikes against civilians and impediments to humanitarian access, further complicate the situation, according to The Jakarta Post and Channel News Asia.

As ASEAN approaches the summit, the organization faces the pressing challenge of balancing relations with both the US and China, amid heightened geopolitical tensions. With the US tariffs disrupting trade and igniting fears of economic instability, ASEAN countries are urged to maintain their "friend to all" policy while navigating pressures from dominant superpowers. Anwar underscored the importance of ASEAN's cohesion in dealing with these global economic uncertainties, showing a commitment to reaffirming "collective commitment" to global free trade, according to The Jakarta Post and Channel News Asia.