Marcos agrees with Asean: Do not retaliate vs Trump tariffs

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attends the plenary session at the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025. —Photo by Jam STA ROSA | Agence France-Presse

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday supported the position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) not to retaliate against the United States, which imposed higher tariffs on its trading partners.

In his intervention at the 46th Asean Summit plenary session, Mr. Marcos commended the leadership of Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as Asean chair in steering the regional bloc’s collective action on US President Donald Trump’s new tariff policy.

“We commend Malaysia’s leadership in convening this special Asean Economic Ministers’ Meeting and welcome the consensus to avoid retaliatory measures,” the President said.

READ: Asean chief urges integrating region’s economies amid US tariff worries

He added: “This measured and unified approach upholds Asean’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and a rules-based multilateral trading system.”

The United States suspended its new tariff schedule for 90 days last April. But once it pushes through, the Philippines will be slapped with a 17-percent tariff on its exports to the United States, one of the lowest in the region.

Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the regional bloc would bolster bilateral and multilateral engagements with the United States for fruitful discussions on the new tariff schedule.

Earlier this month, Frederick Go, the President’s special assistant for investment and economic affairs, went to the United States to meet with the US Trade Representative in a bid to lower the import tariff.