Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING ): Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, visited Malaysia to exchange views on the new import tariffs announced by the United States government under President Donald Trump.
According to a statement released by his office here on Friday, Hartarto first discussed the US policy during a meeting hosted by Deputy Prime Minister I of Malaysia, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at the Malaysian leader’s official residence on Thursday.
The following day, the Indonesian minister visited the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya.
“As the 2025 chair of ASEAN, it is crucial that Malaysia pushes for the strengthening of cooperation among all ASEAN states in addressing global challenges, including the US reciprocal tariff policy,” he told Ibrahim.
The two also discussed bilateral economic cooperation during their meeting.
Ibrahim said that, as this year’s ASEAN chair, his country needs support from fellow Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, to enhance its investment attractiveness, tourism, and trade.
After the meeting, Hartarto met with Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Azis, to discuss strategies for strengthening ASEAN’s economy.
On that occasion, the Indonesian envoy once again echoed the importance of cohesiveness among ASEAN nations in light of the current situation.
He urged the 10 ASEAN member states to synchronize their steps, considering that none of them is exempt from the US policy, which President Trump has described as a reciprocal move.
“We need to collectively engage and build communication with the US government,” he said.
Hartarto and Azis also expressed their commitment to fighting for the economic interests of their countries while maintaining solid trade ties with the US, including through trade and investment framework agreements forged with Washington.
