The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is really hammering in the importance of ASEAN centrality in dealing with global issues. Like, all the ASEAN member states are on board with this whole centrality thing, according to Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, the ministry’s Director General for ASEAN Cooperation. He spilled the beans during a press briefing in Jakarta on May 21, in case you were wondering.
So, apparently, ASEAN countries are stepping up their diplomatic game in response to the tit-for-tat tariff policy that Donald Trump, the US President, put in place. Instead of going all out in retaliation, ASEAN is opting for a chit-chat with the US through existing frameworks like the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It’s like they’re trying to keep things civil, you know?
The focus is also on tackling the crisis in Myanmar, which is a hot potato right now. The 2025 ASEAN Summit happening in Malaysia from May 23 to May 27 is set to address this issue head-on. The Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair is expected to lay down the law on what actions need to be taken to help resolve the Myanmar drama. And if things in Myanmar continue to spiral out of control, it could lead to an uptick in transnational crime. Yikes!
