Navigating Trump 2 0 Malaysia S Role As 2025 Asean Chairman

---

 
From Shakila Yacob
As Malaysia prepares to be the chair of Asean in 2025, the region must navigate the complexities of a Donald Trump 2.0 presidency. US foreign policy has undergone a dramatic shift, making Asean unity and strategic diplomacy more critical than ever.
From the post-World War II “Prosper Thy Neighbour” ethos of the Marshall Plan — where economic reconstruction fostered peace — to Trump’s disruptive “Terror Thy Neighbour” philosophy, the contrast is stark.
The proposed annexation of Greenland, tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the Gulf of “America” illustrate this shift, echoing the Monroe doctrine’s “hands-off” stance but with a combative, unilateral focus on dominance rather than partnership.
Trade disputes with Canada and pipeline conflicts, alongside immigration and border security tensions with Mexico, further emphasise a turn towards isolationism.
Another point worth highlighting is the growing wealth inequality and shifting power dynamics. From the Gilded Age’s robber barons like John Rockefeller and JP Morgan to today’s tech tycoons — Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg — the concentration of elite wealth has reshaped democracy.
The recent announcement of a US$500 billion investment in the Stargate project, a joint venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank and Oracle, highlights the growing concentration of power among a few dominant tech giants.
These modern magnates not only dominate industries but also hold significant sway over public opinion and political discourse. However, this consolidation faces disruption from China’s DeepSeek, which has introduced a more competitive, open-access approach.
This imbalance, worsened by a shrinking middle class, has turned democracy into a stage where the voices of the many are overshadowed by the influence of the few. In Asean, where democracy takes diverse forms, the implications of such inequality are profound, underscoring the urgency of multilateral cooperation to address these disparities on both a regional and global scale.
As the world grapples with these shifts in power and influence, the Trump administration’s retreat from key trade agreements — from transitioning the North American Free Trade Agreement into the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, to abandoning the Trans-Pacific Partnership — stands in stark contrast to Southeast Asia’s forward momentum.
Asean member states have been forging comprehensive trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, strengthening their economic and geopolitical relevance.
In a recent development, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s working visit to Brussels led to the resumption of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (Meufta), which had been on hold for over a decade due to disputes over Malaysia’s palm oil sector.
This renewed focus on trade aligns with the global trend towards “friendly shoring”, where nations prioritise economic partnerships with trusted allies to enhance supply chain resilience.
The Meufta is expected to unlock significant benefits across multiple sectors of Malaysia’s economy, enhance the global supply chain and increase EU investments, including in manufacturing and green energy. It would also bolster Malaysian exports to the region, such as electrical and electronic products, optical and scientific equipment, and palm oil derivatives.
However, for Asean to remain visible and wield influence in this increasingly polarised world, unity is non-negotiable. Asean centrality and solidarity are no longer lofty ideals but strategic imperatives that enable the region to leverage its collective weight amid intensifying great-power competition.
In this dynamic, Asean’s role as a bridge and mediator becomes indispensable. As a moderating force in the US-China rivalry, Asean can use its multilateral diplomacy to foster an environment conducive to dialogue and cooperation.
Its adherence to neutrality allows Asean to act independently, promoting peace and stability without becoming a pawn in either side’s grand strategy. Yet, the success of this role hinges entirely on Asean’s ability to uphold its solidarity and act with a unified voice.
It is encouraging that Anwar and Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto have agreed to collaborate and synergise efforts, recognising Indonesia’s pivotal role in uniting Asean during his recent visit to Malaysia.
Despite some reports highlighting Prabowo’s competitive stance towards Asean, the new president is expected to focus on domestic priorities while strengthening regional ties.
Personal diplomacy is equally critical in navigating these complexities. In international relations, systemic factors and national interests often overshadow the significance of personal dynamics.
But Trump’s transactional worldview places immense value on personal connections. Here, Anwar’s diplomatic acumen plays a critical role.
By forging strong personal ties with global leaders, Anwar has the potential to not only elevate Malaysia’s stature within Asean but also position it as a key player across the two sides of the Pacific – strengthening relations with both the US and China while preserving regional stability.
To gain Trump’s trust, Asean must highlight its collective strength and geostrategic importance as a reliable partner that supports US economic and security interests while counterbalancing China’s rise.
As Asean chair, Malaysia can lead efforts to align regional goals with shared interests — fostering stability, expanding trade and mediating between global powers — while preserving neutrality and credibility. - FMT
Shakila Yacob is a professor at Sunway University’s Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

---