US tariffs to take centre stage as Asean meets in Malaysia

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The Asean gathering will be followed by meetings between the group and its major trade partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, India and the EU.

PHOTO: REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR - Southeast Asian foreign ministers will meet on July 9 as the region grapples with renewed uncertainty over US trade tariffs and as a simmering territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia threatens to disrupt the blocs unity.

The gathering in Malaysia of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will be followed by a flurry of meetings on July 9 and 10 between the group and its major trade partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Russia, India and the European Union.

Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov are expected to join the Kuala Lumpur meetings, as will US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who makes his first trip to Asia looking to smooth over relations with allies and partners rattled by President Donald Trumps tariff strategy.

Mr Trump on July 7

announced hefty levies

The export-reliant Asean is collectively the worlds fifth-biggest economy, with some members beneficiaries of supply chain realignments from China. Only Vietnam has secured a deal, which lowers the levy to 20 per cent from 46 per cent initially.

Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia said they would seek further talks ahead of