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The GCC already has strong links with the U.S. and 鈥渨ants to be close to China too,鈥� Anwar said. 鈥淲e want to have that synergy to enhance trade investments, more effective collaboration,鈥� Anwar said in a media briefing late Wednesday.

ASEAN countries have been hit by U.S. President Donald Trump last month announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, prompting countries including Malaysia and Singapore to swiftly begin trade negotiations with Washington.

Anwar said the U.S. has promised to review Malaysia’s case 鈥渟ympathetically.鈥� He said ASEAN is also working together to see how it can negotiate with the U.S. as a bloc. At the same time, he said that ASEAN must build its economic resilience by deepening links with other partners such as China, India and the European Union.

Anwar said the U.S.-China rivalry would not split the bloc as the region continues to engage both superpowers. He also downplayed territorial disputes between ASEAN members and China in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety, and Myanmar’s conflict since the 2021 military takeover.

Anwar met last month with Myanmar military chief Gen. Ming Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and held virtual talks with the opposition National Unity Government. Even though the talks were currently focused on humanitarian aid, Anwar said he hopes they could eventually push a peace process forward.

Min Aung Hlaing has been barred from attending ASEAN meetings after the military refused to comply with ASEAN鈥檚 peace plan, which includes delivery of humanitarian aid and negotiations. Opponents and critics of the military government say aid is not freely allowed into areas not under the army鈥檚 control, and accuse the army of violating its self-declared ceasefire with dozens of airstrikes.