WHAT ASEAN DOES NEXT
The next phase of ASEAN’s reaction will need to consider these international interests. It can help to complete a command vacuum in internationalism. There are two concepts that ASEAN now practises that can guide behavior and assistance.
Second, if ASEAN does what’s in its objectives consistent with its principles, that may contribute to global efforts to protect the rules-based international trading system.
That includes avoiding retribution that would just take more economic problems, using actions consistent with laws and organizations ASEAN has committed to, and continuing to work as a group. Deviating from those guiding rules perhaps understand ASEAN.
Second is to guard and practise ASEAN importance. ASEAN is not only key to its East Eastern member states, it is key to broader Eastern cooperation. ASEAN should use its importance, or chance losing it.
ASEAN may find willing companions in its own place. The foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea met a few days before the news of Mr Trump’s taxes, agreeing to simultaneously listen to US taxes and “to improve the deployment of RCEP”, referring to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the 15-country free trade agreement that was created and is led by ASEAN.