Marcos welcomes ASEAN's non-retaliatory stance on US tariffs

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. welcomed ASEAN's decision to avoid retaliatory measures against the US during the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Marcos praised Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for steering the regional bloc's collective action regarding US President Donald Trump's new tariff policy, emphasizing a unified and rules-based response.

The Philippine government has been consulting with other ASEAN member states and engaging in informal talks with the U.S. to strengthen bilateral relations despite impending tariffs that will impose a 17-percent tax on Philippines' exports to the United States starting July.

ASEAN's chairman, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, highlighted the bloc's commitment to dialogue and cooperation rather than retaliation, which has helped preserve engagement with major economies.

Experts noted that retaliating against Washington might cause more disruption given the US is ASEAN's largest source of foreign direct investments and second-largest trading partner.