Updates

𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

𝘼 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢: 𝙐𝙎 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙉
In a move that sent shockwaves through global markets early this morning, the United States announced a sweeping imposition of country-specific tariffs on all ASEAN member states. Citing trade imbalances, alleged unfair subsidies, and national security concerns, the new measures mark a significant shift in global trade dynamics.

Effective from April 9, the tariffs—ranging from 10% to nearly 50%—will apply to almost all products exported from ASEAN countries to the US, with only a few exceptions. While the severity varies across nations and sectors, the message is unmistakable: the world is entering a new era of economic nationalism and deglobalization, and Southeast Asia finds itself at the frontline.

𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨
For individual ASEAN economies, the implications are profound. Many Southeast Asian countries have long depended on export-led growth, with the United States playing a crucial role as a major market. The claim that developing nations have taken advantage of the US economy overlooks a vital truth: American consumers have reaped the benefits of affordable, high-quality goods for decades—products manufactured through the tireless labor of workers across the Global South.

These new tariffs threaten to disrupt global supply chains, deter investment, and slow GDP growth—at a time when ASEAN nations urgently need robust economic performance to combat poverty, improve education, and address climate change.

At the regional level, fragmented trade flows risk weakening ASEAN’s collective influence in the global economy. As US measures reverberate across interconnected supply chains, intra-ASEAN trade may face friction, especially if member states begin adopting inward-looking policies to protect domestic industries. ASEAN’s position as a unified economic bloc—projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030—risks being undermined if countries fail to coordinate responses to these external shocks.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙩: 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣
Beyond economic metrics lies a deeper human toll. Millions of working-class citizens—particularly in manufacturing hubs like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam—face the grim prospects of declining export demand, reduced factory output, and job losses. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up more than 90% of ASEAN businesses, are especially vulnerable. Operating on narrow margins and often lacking access to credit, many SMEs will struggle to absorb the impact of new tariffs or pivot to alternative markets.

Consumers, too, will feel the pain. As demand softens and supply chains shift, imported goods will become costlier and scarcer. The situation could worsen if the US dollar strengthens or interest rates remain high—triggering imported inflation in essential goods such as food, fuel and medical drugs. These inflationary pressures will disproportionately affect lower-income households, deepening inequality across a region still recovering from the pandemic and grappling with surging living costs.

𝘼 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: 𝘼𝙎𝙀𝘼𝙉 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙚𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
This is not merely a trade dispute—it is a structural rupture. What we are witnessing is the unraveling of the post-World War II international order, marked by rising protectionism, geopolitical fragmentation, and shifting trade alliances. Deglobalization is not a temporary trend; it is a fundamental shift in how nations engage with one another.

This unprecedented crisis is also a pivotal test of ASEAN’s unity and resilience. If ASEAN responds piecemeal—country by country, sector by sector—it will lose ground. But if it acts collectively, it can emerge stronger against the global headwinds.

The region must deepen intra-ASEAN economic integration by accelerating initiatives such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) upgrade, harmonizing standards, and reducing non-tariff barriers. Investment in regional infrastructure, digital trade, and sustainable industries can create new engines of growth, less dependent on volatile external markets. Crucially, ASEAN must also present a unified voice in global forums like the WTO and the G20, advocating for fair and open trade.

Moreover, policies must be crafted with people at the center. Social safety nets, upskilling programs, and SME support mechanisms must be scaled up to cushion the impact of global shifts. A more connected and compassionate ASEAN—one that not only competes, but also foster trusts —will be key to weathering this storm.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝘼𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙: 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
At this critical juncture, ASEAN faces a choice: retreat into fragmented, reactive strategies—or rise together with renewed purpose and solidarity. The path forward will not be easy. It demands courage, coordination, and an unwavering commitment to each other—and to the millions who call this region home.

3 April 2025
By Lee Chean Chung
Member of Parliament for Petaling Jaya
Parliamentary Select Committee Member on Economy and Finance
Member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights

#ASEAN #Tariff #US #Malaysia … See MoreSee Less

Salam Aidilfitri kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia! Semoga Syawal ini membawa kebahagiaan, keberkatan, dan perpaduan dalam keluarga serta masyarakat. Maaf Zahir dan Batin!

#KEADILAN #PJLestari #perpaduan #harapan #rayaaidilfitri … See MoreSee Less

Dah siap beli baju raya ke semua…?

Selamat pulang ke kampung & berhati-hati memandu ye!

#ghibli #Raya #aidilfitri #ChatGPT … See MoreSee Less

💙🔥 BERSAMA BINA PETALING JAYA YANG LEBIH GEMILANG! 🔥💙

Pemilihan Parti Keadilan Rakyat semakin hampir, dan saya percaya setiap anggota ingin melihat hala tuju terkini perjuangan kita. Dengan penuh tekad, saya mengumumkan hasrat untuk menawarkan diri sebagai Calon Ketua Cabang KEADILAN Petaling Jaya! ✊💪

Saya komited untuk merealisasikan janji-janji yang telah saya buat dalam PRU15 demi membangunkan Petaling Jaya yang lestari. Dalam minggu ini, saya akan mengumumkan manifesto cabang untuk masa depan kita bersama. Nantikan dan mari kita bergerak bersama ke arah kejayaan! 💪

#KEADILAN #petalingjaya … See MoreSee Less

NOTIS MAKLUMAN

PENUTUPAN PUSAT KHIDMAT RAKYAT PETALING JAYA PADA
28/3/2025 (JUMAAT) – 4/4/2025 (JUMAAT) BAGI TUJUAN HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI.

PUSAT KHIDMAT AKAN MULA BEROPERASI SEMULA PADA 7/4/2025 (ISNIN)

SELAMAT HARI RAYA!

Terima kasih. … See MoreSee Less

KENYATAAN MEDIA LEE CHEAN CHUNG I 27 MAC 2025

Saya dijemput untuk menghadiri Mesyuarat Tindakan Ekonomi Selangor (MTES) yang membincangkan isu #pjdlink semalam.

Saya telah mengeluarkan pandangan bahawa jajaran yang dikemukakan oleh pemaju hanya sekadar pindaan jajaran lama dan bukan jajaran baru yang ditetapkan oleh Menyuarat Jemaah Menteri pada 8 Mei 2024. Beberapa wakil rakyat turut memberi pandangan yang sama.

Saya beranggapan bahawa sebagai penghormatan kepada keputusan jemaah menteri, sebarang perbincangan selepas ini wajar berdasarkan perbincangan jajaran yang baru, yang jelas bukan jajaran sedia ada.

Dengan ini saya berharap isu yang lama membelenggu rakyat Petaling Jaya ini dapat dinoktahkan, dan supaya semua pihak boleh tumpu kepada kelengkapan dan kemudahan pengguna pengangkutan awam.

YB Lee Chean Chung
Ahli Parlimen Petaling Jaya
Pengarah Komunikasi Nasional KEADILAN … See MoreSee Less

Melawat Puan Kilpanjariamalar, isteri kepada Saunderaju atau “Ah Chun” yang telah diwadkan ke hospital PPUM sejak minggu lepas. Namun sehingga hari ini belum dapat diputuskan punca kesakitan.

Pendengaran beliau terjejas tapi cepat cam saya 😂.

Saya telah pesan kepada PPUM supaya menjalankan pemeriksaaan yang rapi kepada beliau. Moga cepat sembuh! … See MoreSee Less

Hari ini, kita meraikan Hari Polis ke-218 sebagai penghormatan kepada wira-wira negara yang sentiasa berjuang demi keselamatan rakyat.

Terima kasih kepada Polis Diraja Malaysia atas jasa dan pengorbanan yang tidak ternilai. Tanpa anda, Malaysia tidak akan menjadi negara yang aman dan tenteram seperti hari ini.

Salam hormat dan penghargaan buat semua anggota #PDRM!

#KEADILAN #PJLestari #perpaduan #harapan … See MoreSee Less