AGN Afternoon Update | 11th April 2025 – Anwar Urges ASEAN Unity as Trump Raises China Stakes and Asia’s Financial Chiefs Confer in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – In today’s top afternoon headlines:

🇲🇾 Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that the US’ hardened approach to China, including a 145% tariff hike, presents a “problem” for ASEAN. Still, he insists the region must stay united and continue engaging Beijing ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled state visit to Malaysia next week. Speaking during the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, Anwar reaffirmed that ASEAN’s strength lies in rules-based cooperation and peaceful diplomacy.

🌎 In international developments, President Donald Trump has escalated his trade war with China by imposing a 145% blanket tariff on Chinese imports — while granting other countries a 90-day reprieve. Trump’s administration insists China must initiate any talks, while Beijing counters that diplomacy must be based on “mutual respect and equality.” Tensions are rising, with China restricting US movie exports and exploring deeper economic retaliation.

🌏 In Asia, finance and central bank deputies from China, Japan, and South Korea met in Malaysia on April 8–9 to assess the impact of US tariffs on regional markets. China’s central bank reiterated its intention to maintain moderately loose monetary policy and support regional economic resilience through cooperation and coordination.

As trade tensions intensify globally, ASEAN is stepping into a key balancing role — advocating dialogue, avoiding retaliation, and deepening integration across high-value sectors.

📺 Don’t miss the full report — Watch it now on our official YouTube channel.