Asian countries seek negotiations with US on Trump’s tariffs

ANKARA/ISTANBUL

Asian countries are seeking opportunities to negotiate with the US in response to reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

Indonesia has expressed its readiness for trade negotiations with Trump, according to local media reports Monday.

“The trade war is affecting us, but we remain calm. We are strong and will negotiate with all nations, including the US,” said President Prabowo Subianto.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said a delegation will be sent to the US for negotiations after the Trump administration imposed 49% tariffs on his country.

In South Korea, acting President Han Duck-soo announced that the government will send its minister of trade to the US as soon as possible for negotiations.

Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said she was trying to arrange a meeting with her US counterpart.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will visit the US in the coming days to discuss the tariffs imposed by the US on the country.

In a letter to Trump, Muhammad Yunus, who heads the interim government in Bangladesh as its chief advisor, asked for a three-month delay for the tariffs against his country.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Trump that additional 24% tariffs imposed on Japan by Washington could weaken Japanese investments in the US, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Japan has been the world’s largest investor in the US for five consecutive years,” the prime minister said, emphasizing that “the tariff measures by the US could weaken investment capacity among Japanese companies.”

Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, said that Malaysia is not currently considering taking any retaliatory action.

In an earlier statement, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he would aim "to achieve a mutually acceptable solution which is calm, firm and guided by Malaysia’s national interests."

On Wednesday, Trump announced the imposition of sweeping reciprocal tariffs on over 180 countries ranging from 10% to 50%.

Many countries and the European Union reacted, saying the rates would be negotiated with the US.

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said late Sunday that more than 50 countries had contacted the White House to negotiate on the tariffs.