The delegation led by Myanmar ASEAN Economic Minister, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, Dr Kan Zaw, attended the special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference yesterday morning.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia and also participated by the Economic Ministers from the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretary-General and the representatives.

The meeting exchanged views on ways to protect ASEAN’s trade and investment. Moreover, the meeting discussed the US reciprocal tariffs announced on 2 April 2025, especially on its impact on ASEAN Member States, along with ASEAN’s strategies and collective response going forward, and the establishment of an ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force. The Task Force will complement national efforts by offering a regional perspective, identifying shared challenges, and formulating coordinated responses. The meeting adopted the Joint Statement of the ASEAN Economic Ministers on the introduction of unilateral tariffs of the United States.

In his statement, the Union Minister expressed deep appreciation to the ASEAN Member States for despatching skilled rescue teams, providing critical rescue equipment and medical supplies, and offering lifesaving humanitarian assistance for the devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025 in Myanmar. He shared his views on the means to safeguard ASEAN’s trade and investment and the way forward on the ASEAN-US Economic Engagement. He also underlined that the ASEAN’s Unity can protect the region’s shared interest and seize new opportunities in the changing global economy. In addition, he discussed making efforts to minimize negative impacts on Myanmar’s exports such as CMP and agricultural products and the workers and employment in these sectors.

Together with the Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, the SEOM Lead of Myanmar, the director-general of the Foreign Economic Relations Department and the senior officials from the Foreign Economic Relations Department joined the meeting.

MNA

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