Malaysia calls for stronger inter-ASEAN trade amid tariffs uncertainty

Malaysia calls for stronger inter-ASEAN trade amid tariffs uncertainty

Anwar described tariffs, export restrictions and investment barriers as "the sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry". He did not mention the United States specifically.

<Malaysia calls for stronger inter-ASEAN trade amid tariffs uncertainty - Asia & Pacific - The Jakarta Post>

ASEAN nations pledge to buy more from US as tariff zero-day nears

ASEAN nations pledge to buy more from US as tariff zero-day nears

Vietnam and Indonesia ahead in negotiations; Thai turmoil takes toll on deal attempt

<ASEAN nations pledge to buy more from US as tariff zero-day nears - Nikkei Asia>

Trump tariffs shine spotlight on Chinese targeting Southeast Asian consumers

Trump tariffs shine spotlight on Chinese targeting Southeast Asian consumers

Trade war with US prompts businesses to focus more on ASEAN region

<Trump tariffs shine spotlight on Chinese targeting Southeast Asian consumers - Nikkei Asia>

ASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade

ASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade

Bloc to sign key new agreement in October amid global economic tension

<ASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade - Nikkei Asia>

ASEAN falls short again

ASEAN falls short again

Tariffs, South China Sea and Myanmar show regional bloc still lacks teeth

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/ASEAN-falls-short-again>

ASEAN urges 'boldly' integrating region's economies amid US tariff worries

ASEAN urges 'boldly' integrating region's economies amid US tariff worries

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which count on the United States as their main export market, were among those slapped with the toughest levies by President Donald Trump.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2025/04/09/asean-urges-boldly-integrating-regions-economies-amid-us-tariff-worries.html>

ASEAN's interest in BRICS is a hedge against Trump

ASEAN's interest in BRICS is a hedge against Trump

De-dollarization makes sense for major Southeast Asian economies

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/ASEAN-s-interest-in-BRICS-is-a-hedge-against-Trump>

Indonesia Sees Robust Growth in Electric Vehicle Sales Amid Global Decline

Indonesia Sees Robust Growth in Electric Vehicle Sales Amid Global Decline

Indonesia stand out as a bright spot in the global transition to electric mobility, with strong growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales in 2024, even as major markets like Germany and Japan experience declining demand

<https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/indonesia-sees-robust-growth-in-electric-vehicle-sales-amid-global-decline>

A new journey in China-Indonesia relationship: Building a shared future

A new journey in China-Indonesia relationship: Building a shared future

We work closely in international and regional affairs, advancing China-ASEAN cooperation, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, supporting the Palestinian national liberation cause and defending the common interests of the Global South.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2024/11/07/a-new-journey-in-china-indonesia-relationship-building-a-shared-future.html>

Southeast Asia expands trade as a neutral hub in a divided world

Southeast Asia expands trade as a neutral hub in a divided world

Extra-regional trade to grow $1.2tn in 10 years but deficits with China soar  

<https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/Southeast-Asia-expands-trade-as-a-neutral-hub-in-a-divided-world>

Indonesia's position on South China Sea ‘unchanged’, ministry says

Indonesia's position on South China Sea 'unchanged', ministry says

"We continue to have dialogue behind the scenes and other diplomatic efforts to address this issue proportionally with other countries," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2024/11/01/indonesias-position-on-south-china-sea-unchanged-ministry-says.html>

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(2)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

In fact, startup boom deserves named as one of the hot issues in Southeast Asia since mid-2010s. Startup markets across Southeast Asia have been rapidly gaining momentums. Local leaders of the digital economy such as Grab in Singapore which acquired the Southeast Asian business unit of Uber in 2018 have been acclaimed for changing the conventional industrial map in the region.

Consequently, as many as 11 unicorns, privately held startup companies valued at over $1 billion, have emerged from various industries such as the mobility, the e-payment and the online game.

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia(1)

High Time for Digital Cooperation between Korea and Indonesia

Indonesia, the largest economy in ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations), is one of the key counterparts of the New Southern Policy initiated by the Korean government.  Bilateral relations between Korea and Indonesia have been continuously improved and were finally elevated to a special strategic partnership in 2017. 

Now the two countries have their 75th Independence Day, Korea on Aug 15th and Indonesia on Aug 17th, come just around the corner. Digital cooperation spearheaded by startups in both countries can be a new topic of the time when the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has further spurred the necessity of the digitalization of the Indonesian society.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(49)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

Perspectives and following readiness of the two countries toward the era of the AEC, though not entirely, are necessary to keep paced with each other. Otherwise, outputs of the more sophisticated regional economic integration may be distributed in a one-sided fashion. 

If Singapore carries on being overwhelmingly outshined along with the AEC, political and diplomatic relation between the two countries may be subject to be worsened accordingly.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(46)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

The economic clout will be increasingly strengthened if the ASEAN even succeeds in fully actualizing the AEC. As a result, the influence of the ASEAN on the regional security and political issues will be also growing bigger. 

Under this circumstance, hopes are higher than ever that the beginning of the AEC will serve a drastic opportunity to create a new landscape for the 21st century in the world. In this sense, the roles of Singapore and Indonesia can't be overemphasized when the era of the AEC starts to be vigorously unfolded.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(45)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

Along with Africa and South America, the ASEAN has been looked down on as a symbol of an underdeveloped area. Thus, major powers encompassing America, China and the EU would remain invincible if the ASEAN members try to compete with them individually. 

However, situation would be different if joint efforts of the 10 countries to confront superpowers is designed and implemented. The countries will be surely observing their confidence built up step by step.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(41)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

In the meantime, there stands a possibility that Singapore's readiness on edge for the AEC powered by internationally-claimed competitiveness may impose burdens on Indonesia. Severe damages on the economic interests of Indonesia caused by Singaporean enterprises, if repeatedly happens, may spark political conflicts between the two countries. 

This is in line with my stance that Indonesia, as a whole, needs to pay attention to the inauguration of the AEC in a more desperate manner.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(37)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

When it comes to the details of the perception of and the response to the AEC, however, Singapore is often evaluated ahead of Indonesia by and large. Proactive approach of Singaporean SMEs aiming the AEC may demonstrate Singapore's skyrocketed anticipation for the unprecedented common market. 

Most experts have been in the same boat that the AEC may serve Singaporean SMEs armed with regional competitiveness well to navigate tremendous business momentums in one single market with 650 million populations.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(33)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

Indonesia is one of the few countries in ASEAN that has promulgated a competition law and has established an independent agency in charge of competition policy – the Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition. 

Larger firms tend to have better knowledge about the existing FTAs and, in general, are more optimistic than smaller ones. This is true also with regard to the AEC.

Inauguration of the AEC and Its Impacts on Relation between Singapore and Indonesia(31)

Comparative Research on Relationship of Singapore and Indonesia in the AEC Aspect

Going forward, Singapore will focus on capacity building and human resource development in the ASEAN countries to help them prepare for the 2015 deadline. Results of SWOT analysis on the Singapore's perception of and response to the formation of the AEC can be diagramed as below. 

According to the papers by Hadi Soesastro and Raymond Atje (p. 72-77.) and Widdi Mugijayani and Pratiwi Kartika (p. 210-212.), Indonesia's major perception of and response to the formation of the AEC can be summarized as below.