ASEAN kicks off summits with China, Gulf states amid US tariff threat
Al Jazeera2 days
China, ASEAN, Arab States Hold First Summit Amid US Tariff Pressures
Above:Â Group photo at the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - China Summit after the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025. Â Image copyright:Â JAM STA ROSA/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
The trilateral summit represents a strategic pivot toward greater economic independence and resilience for ASEAN nations. By forging stronger ties with China and the GCC, the bloc is creating alternative trade networks and reducing dependency on Western markets. The combined economies of these three regions, totaling nearly $25 trillion with a population exceeding 2 billion people, demonstrate the immense potential for mutual growth and development.
Anti-China narrative
The summit's focus on China and Gulf states risks undermining ASEAN's traditional policy of neutrality and could further strain relations with the United States as the leading global power. ASEAN's apparent tilt toward China, coupled with its failure to take strong action against Beijing's aggression in the South China Sea, may prompt Washington to distance itself from the region, potentially destabilizing the existing security architecture.