ASEAN must develop a robust and resilient supply chain ecosystem to navigate escalating geopolitical tensions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He pointed to the recent tariffs imposed by the United States and counter-tariffs from affected nations as signs of increasing economic fragmentation.
Anwar cautioned that while some believe ASEAN could benefit from global supply chain diversification, the situation is far more complex.
“The question remains: can ASEAN truly capitalise on these shifts, or will we be caught in the crossfire of great power rivalry?” he asked during his keynote address at the ASEAN Future Forum 2025.
He stressed that any benefits from investment and trade must be equitably distributed among member states to avoid worsening economic disparities.
Describing the current era as one of rivalry and division, Anwar called for ASEAN to adopt a new model of trade integration that aligns with global sustainability trends.
“The economic developmental gap across our region is stark – where, for example, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of some ASEAN members is more than 34 times that of others – a challenge we must collectively address,” he said.
Anwar urged member states to commit to ensuring that no country within ASEAN is left behind in the pursuit of economic growth.
“We must commit to ensuring that no nation within ASEAN is left behind in the pursuit of economic growth,” he reiterated, highlighting the need for inclusive and sustainable economic policies to secure ASEAN’s long-term prosperity.
