The delegation led by Myanmar ASEAN Economic Minister, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, Dr. Kan Zaw, attended the special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting via video conference this morning.
The Meeting was chaired by Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and also participated by the Economic Ministers from ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretary General and the representatives.
The Meeting exchanged views on ways to protect ASEAN’s trade and investment. Moreover, the Meeting discussed the U.S. reciprocal tariffs announced on 2nd April 2025, especially on its impact on ASEAN Member States, along with ASEAN’s strategies and collective response going forward, and the establishment of an ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force. The Task Force will complement national efforts by offering a regional perspective, identifying shared challenges, and formulating coordinated responses. The Meeting adopted the Joint Statement of the ASEAN Economic Ministers on the introduction of unilateral tariffs of the United States.
In his statement, the Union Minister expressed deep appreciation to the ASEAN Member States for dispatching skilled rescue teams, providing critical recuse equipment and medical supplies and offering lifesaving humanitarian assistance for devastating earthquake on 28th March 2025 in Myanmar. He shared his views on means to safeguard ASEAN’s trade and investment and the way forward on ASEAN-U.S. Economic Engagement. He also underlined that the ASEAN’s Unity can protect the region’s shared interest and seizes new opportunities in the changing global economy. In addition, he discussed to make efforts for minimising the negative impacts on Myanmar’s exports such as CMP and agricultural products and the workers and employment in these sectors.
Together with the Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, SEOM Lead of Myanmar, Director-General of the Foreign Economic Relations Department and the Senior Officials from Foreign Economic Relations Department joined the Meeting.
