Economy

Key ASEAN economies -- including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia -- are still scrambling to secure a tariff deal with the U.S. ahead of President Donald Trump's Aug. 1 deadline. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Trump tariffs

Trump tariff limbo blights Singapore, Thailand as ASEAN states deal

Malaysia, Cambodia also face uncertainty ahead of Aug. 1 deadline

24 July 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announces cash handouts and other measures in a televised speech on July 23. (Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
Politics

Malaysia's Anwar unveils $500m in aid to address cost-of-living concerns

Every adult to receive 100 ringgit; government also announces lower gas prices

23 July 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 9. (Photo by Norman Goh)
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar warns tariffs now used to 'pressure, isolate' others

He says levies become 'sharpened instruments of rivalry' at ASEAN meeting

9 July 2025
A Reuters poll published earlier this week showed a slim majority of economists expecting Malaysia's central bank to cut interest rates by a quarter point, or 25 basis points. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Markets

Malaysia cuts interest rate by quarter point as tariff threat looms

First rate cut in 5 years is response to weaker growth, low inflation

9 July 2025
A shopkeeper waits for customers at a shopping mall in Bangkok. The country's consumer price index has fallen for three straight months through June.
Inflation

Falling inflation in Southeast Asia fuels fears over demand

Thailand logs 3rd straight month of price drops as economic concerns weigh

9 July 2025
Six ASEAN economies were among the first 14 countries named by U.S. President Donald Trump to face high "reciprocal" tariffs. (Source photo by Reuters and 123rf)
Trump tariffs

ASEAN countries reel from Trump's fresh tariff threats

Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia face renewed US trade levies on Aug. 1

8 July 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy is set to be a key agenda item during ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings this week. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
International relations

ASEAN hosts key regional meetings as Trump announces new tariffs

Rubio to make first Asia trip as foreign ministers discuss critical issues

8 July 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump released the first batch of letters on July 7 informing countries of the tariff rates their exports to the U.S. will face, starting Aug. 1.
Trump tariffs

Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Japan, South Korea, Malaysia

Myanmar and Laos see 40% rate, among slew of levies to take effect Aug. 1

8 July 2025
Used in food products ranging from cooking oil to margarine to instant noodles, palm oil is the most consumed vegetable oil and remains particularly popular in Asian markets such as Indonesia, India and China.
Trading Asia

Palm oil markets roiled by biofuel rules and geopolitical shocks

Indonesia's domestic use tightens supply; Malaysia seeks new markets in response to volatility

7 July 2025
ASEAN countries are scrambling to make concessions with Washington to secure lower tariffs from the Trump administration. (Source photos by Yuki Kohara and Ken Kobayashi)
Trump tariffs

ASEAN nations pledge to buy more from US as tariff zero-day nears

Vietnam and Indonesia ahead in negotiations; Thai turmoil takes toll on deal attempt

3 July 2025
Many Chinese companies, making everything from ice cream to Christmas decorations and smartphones, have started to intensify their targeting of consumers in Southeast Asia  (Source photos by Getty Images. Yiwu Sihai Christmas Crafts and Dimas Ardiran)
ASEAN Money

Trump tariffs shine spotlight on Chinese targeting Southeast Asian consumers

Trade war with US prompts businesses to focus more on ASEAN region

26 June 2025
Bambang Brodjonegoro speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on June 17. The dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute says Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have a lot to learn from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. (Photo by Andrew Sharp)
Economy

ASEAN should follow Eastern Europe's growth model, ADBI dean says

Bambang Brodjonegoro pushes investment-led manufacturing, supply chain integration

23 June 2025
Malaysian authorities and business executives discuss the progress of the special economic zone between Malaysia and Singapore at the Nikkei Forum Medini, Johor 2025, on June 18. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Business trends

Trump tariffs fuel interest in Malaysia's economic zone with Singapore

Johor agency receives 400 investment queries from around world, says CEO

18 June 2025
Indonesia has approved a $1.5 billion economic aid package that will provide cash handouts and rice.
Economy

Indonesia to hand out cash, rice as Southeast Asia girds for US tariffs

Thailand and Malaysia also ready assistance as 90-day pause is set to expire

11 June 2025
ASEAN-Business Advisory Council chairman Nazir Razak speaks with Nikkei Asia in an interview in Tokyo on June 5. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 
Interview

ASEAN can capitalize on Trump's tariff tantrum, says business lobby head

Malaysia's Nazir Razak sees great potential in expanding regional trade and work permits

6 June 2025
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview in Tokyo on May 30. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Interview

Mahathir urges ASEAN to trade with China and India to replace US

Former Malaysian PM says countries should seek to benefit from Beijing's growth

3 June 2025
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad discusses China's power, U.S. tariffs and other issues at the Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 30. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2025

Mahathir says China will be 'No. 1 country in the world'

Malaysia's 99-year-old former PM predicts Trump will drop enemy-making tariffs

30 May 2025
ASEAN heads of government pose with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the start of their first trilateral summit, in Kuala Lumpur on May 27.
International relations

ASEAN tilts toward China and Gulf states as Trump tariffs bite

First trilateral summit explores regional business council on trade, investment

28 May 2025
Container ships at Jakarta International Container Terminal. Southeast Asian countries are offering to buy more U.S. products in tariff negotiations with Washington. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Trump tariffs

ASEAN countries struggle to resolve Trump's 'divide and conquer' tariffs

Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia on U.S. priority talks list but no firm deals yet

28 May 2025
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim waits to welcome regional leaders to the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26
International relations

ASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade

Bloc to sign key new agreement in October amid global economic tension

26 May 2025
ASEAN leaders pose for a group photo as they attend a summit of the bloc in Kuala Lumpur on May 26.
International relations

Malaysia's Anwar writes to Trump seeking summit with ASEAN leaders

Regional bloc opens two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur amid trade uncertainty

26 May 2025
The 46th ASEAN Summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 26 and 27.
Trump tariffs

ASEAN leaders to express 'deep concern' at summit over Trump tariffs

Bloc to push back with calls for trade resilience at Kuala Lumpur meeting

23 May 2025
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Podcast: News Roundup

Asian students flock to Malaysian international schools

Tune in to Nikkei Asia's podcast, bringing the region's key news to global listeners

23 May 2025
AT&S of Austria put its chip substrate facility in Kulim, Malaysia, into high-volume production in May. (Photo courtesy of AT&S)
Semiconductors

AT&S keeps faith in Malaysia as hedge against trade uncertainty

Chip substrate maker says country 'well positioned' to weather U.S.-China tensions

19 May 2025
A container terminal in Singapore. The trade-oriented economy expects headwinds from U.S. tariffs for the rest of the year. 
Economy

Trade worries cloud ASEAN's outlook after slow Q1 GDP growth

Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand predict weaker-than-expected full-year growth

19 May 2025
Commuters walk at a station in Kuala Lumpur, pictured in November 2024. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Economy

Malaysia's GDP expands 4.4% in Q1, slowest in a year

Central bank says full-year growth to be 'slightly lower' than earlier forecast

16 May 2025
Vietnam's exports to the U.S. grew by nearly one-third on the year in March, before the "reciprocal" tariffs were announced.
Trump tariffs

Malaysia, Vietnam drove rush of exports to US ahead of tariffs

Full-year results in doubt as Southeast Asian nations frontload shipments

1 May 2025
Representatives from the member countries of the European Free Trade Association meet the press in Kuala Lumpur on April 24. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Trade war

European bloc turns to Southeast Asia in bid to hedge protectionism

Four-member EFTA concludes trade deal with Malaysia as US tariffs sweep world

28 April 2025
Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister, speaks at the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone Joint Business and Investment Forum, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on April 21. (Photo courtesy of Malaysia Investment Development Authority)
Economy

Malaysia, Singapore play up joint economic zone amid US tariff worries

Johor's chief minister proposes industrial park to draw investment from RCEP peers

24 April 2025
Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim talks with Mahn Win Khaing Than, the prime minister of Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government on April 17. (Screenshot from National Unity Government of Myanmar's Facebook page) 
Myanmar Crisis

Malaysia's Anwar seeks to use Myanmar quake to extend ceasefire

ASEAN chair holds talks with leaders of regime and shadow government

18 April 2025