The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore hosted a high-level forum examining the geopolitical and economic impact of US tariffs on Southeast Asia and beyond
Singapore, 18 September 2025 — The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore convened a Diplomatic Discussion under the theme “US Tariff Policy: Assessing Geopolitical and Economic Impacts in Southeast Asia and Beyond.” The event was opened by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Singapore, Suryo Pratomo, and featured a keynote address by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno.
The forum brought together nine heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of the diplomatic community, Singaporean government officials, academics, and research institutions. Discussions underscored the urgency of ASEAN’s role in maintaining unity amid an increasingly dynamic global trade environment.
Four distinguished speakers provided in-depth perspectives on tariff policies from both economic and strategic angles. Dr. Kaewkamol Karen Pitakdumrongkit, Interim Secretary-General of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), presented on “The ASEAN Paradox: Regional Unity in the Face of Unilateral Tariffs.” Carlos Kuriyama, Director of the Policy Support Unit at the APEC Secretariat, examined whether reciprocal tariffs could effectively address trade imbalances while fostering new opportunities across the Asia-Pacific.
Adding a geopolitical dimension, Dr. Evan A. Laksmana from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) analysed ASEAN’s strategic balancing in navigating great power competition, while Professor Cedomir Nestorovic of ESSEC Business School highlighted how US tariffs were redrawing Southeast Asia’s economic landscape and reshaping regional value chains.
Collectively, the speakers emphasised the importance of trade diversification, deeper intra-ASEAN cooperation, and enhanced economic integration as key pathways to strengthening resilience and safeguarding ASEAN’s central role in the global economic order.
Source: Indonesian Embassy in Singapore
