00:00A united front against US President Donald Trump's terrorist plan will do little to mitigate
00:07the expected impact on ASEAN's export-driven economy.
00:13This is what former US trade negotiator Stephen Olsen told FMT, adding that ASEAN must now
00:19take steps to avoid ending up as collateral damage in the US-China trade war.
00:26He said Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have seen their trade surpluses with the US bolstered
00:33by exports from Chinese production facilities that have relocated to their shores.
00:39Olsen, a member of the US negotiating team for the US-Canada Free Trade Agreement, said
00:46Trump views these surpluses as a sign that the US is losing in trade.
00:52He also suggested Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair, engage in private diplomacy with US officials
00:59to show them how the US stands to benefit from its trade and investment ties with the region.
01:06Olsen said ASEAN should also provide the US with real or symbolic gestures to address
01:12Trump's trade concerns.
01:15China, Mexico and Canada were the first to be hit by the increased tariffs under Trump's
01:21America First trade policy.
Comments