Asean, partners step up ties in light of US withdrawal

Free Malaysia Today

Regional integration projects and new trade agreements are gaining traction as Asean looks to diversify partnerships in a more uncertain global landscape.   Read More:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/07/10/asean-partners-step-up-ties-in-light-of-us-withdrawal   Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5 Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTExclusive #Asean #NikorndejBalankura #PennyWong #MyASEAN2025 #58thAMM

Transcript

00:00As the U.S. pulls back from regional trade agreements and multilateral institutions,

00:05ASEAN is intensifying efforts to deepen economic and strategic cooperation with its dialogue partners.

00:11From infrastructure integration to free trade deals and billion-dollar aid programs,

00:16Southeast Asia is entering what could be seen as an era of reduced U.S. economic engagement.

00:23Among key efforts is the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand growth triangle.

00:27Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nikondet Balangkun, said the initiative is showing renewed progress

00:33through the promotion of digitalization under the IMTGT Implementation Blueprint 2022-2026

00:40and recent agreements like the Framework of Cooperation in Customs, Immigration and Quarantine.

00:47In the next upcoming two to three years,

00:51we expect border communities to improve with faster custom clearance,

01:03with more efficient immigration processing and pilot projects,

01:09ultimately lowering logistical costs, for instance, and supporting local economic activity.

01:16In parallel, negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement are moving forward,

01:23with both sides seeing opportunities in digital trade, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and green technologies.

01:30During today's meeting between Canada and ASEAN, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the FTA would help

01:36both sides adapt to trade uncertainty and non-market practices, urging negotiators to stay focused on finalizing the agreement.

01:44Meanwhile, Canberra has also reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN, with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong

01:51noting that the country is directing its AU$1.28 billion development program to meet the region's highest needs.

01:58We know that there is uncertainty in development funding, and we know the impact of global aid cuts is not

02:07yet entirely known. We believe as partners and neighbours that we have a responsibility to contribute to a more

02:14equitable future for our region, and it is a responsibility that the government, our government, will not abandon.

02:20Under the theme, Inclusivity and Sustainability, ASEAN is working to boost economic security by building

02:28new partnerships, such as through the ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.

02:33ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.

02:47I am a member of the ASEAN-GCC China Summit and a Geoeconomic Task Force.

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