ASEAN and BRICS find new path as trade challenges mount

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is pivoting toward strengthened South-South cooperation with BRICS amid escalating US trade barriers and global protectionist trends.

Malaysia, chair of ASEAN this year, also one of BRICS partner countries, is boosting efforts at finding synergies between ASEAN and BRICS.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said at a meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 29, that Malaysia stands ready to work with BRICS and all partners who share the vision of inclusive development and pragmatic multilateralism.

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He said the Global South must forge a new path and take the lead in reshaping international cooperation as the stability and security of the world economy are being actively undermined by the current international system. The flurry of tariffs that sent shock waves through the global community was not only a threat but also a revelation.

"The stability and security of the world economy that hegemony has promised is now increasingly eroding. Therefore, we need to pioneer a new path forward," he said in his speech at the meeting.

He said the situation opens up space for developing countries to strengthen international cooperation based on their strengths.

"It should now be clear to any educated observer that the Global South as a collective is increasingly becoming a major actor in the changing global order … This is an opportunity to reshape international cooperation in ways that reflect our strengths and better serve our needs."

As the world's fifth-largest economy with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion, ASEAN offers significant purchasing power, strong export performance, and open-minded diplomacy, Mohamad said.

"ASEAN has huge purchasing power, an excellent record in world exports, and practices open-minded diplomacy," he said.

BRICS is not just a forum, but a force for economic resilience, political balance and social progress. Through collective efforts of the two sides, Global South can offer a vision of a new and more just world, he said.

"We must be proactive, forward-looking, and united in shaping a cooperative, just world order," he said.

More partners

For Southeast Asian countries, joining BRICS means broader development opportunities, including the ability to benefit from preferential policies among member countries, scholars said.

At the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, last October, 13 countries were designated as BRICS partners, four of whom came from ASEAN. Indonesia also officially joined as a member state in early 2025, becoming the first full member of BRICS in Southeast Asia.

"This could have a demonstration effect for other Southeast Asian nations which are interested in joining BRICS," Shen Shishun, an Asia-Pacific expert with the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.

Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, chairman of Indonesia's National Economic Council, emphasized that the BRICS membership will expand Indonesia's market access, ensuring resilience amid global economic uncertainty.

The cooperative mechanisms and public goods offered by BRICS, such as the New Development Bank, provide robust support for the sustainable development of emerging economies, prompting many to align with the group.

Goods that BRICS Plus can offer resonate with Southeast Asian countries. ASEAN is always on the pursuit of formations and groups that can deliver gains, whether in terms of market access, investments, infrastructure, technology and platforms to make their voices heard on global issues, said Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies in his article in December.

At the same time, as a multilateral economic cooperation organization, BRICS offers member countries a broader platform for cooperation in addressing development challenges, enabling them to enhance policy coordination and mutual assistance through dialogue mechanisms, the Global Times said.

Deeper cooperation

Malaysia, as ASEAN chair on duty, supports the priorities outlined by BRICS, which include efforts to address climate change, strengthen global health, expand the digital economy and develop responsible governance of AI.

The two sides need to lead the call for a just energy transition, ensuring climate finance is accessible, affordable and tailored to the needs of developing countries, Mohamad said.

In the global health area, the pandemic has taught the world that no country is safe until all countries are safe. "The global crisis exposed how fragile we are without true cooperation. Deep inequalities still exist, driven by economic and political gaps," he said.

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Malaysia is ready to work with BRICS to strengthen the health system through a hybrid public-private financing model that emphasizes affordability and sustainability, he said.

On digital economy, efforts to accelerate the development of digital infrastructure and increase digital literacy across the Global South countries need to be intensified to bridge the digital divide and harness the potential of cross-border digital trade.

"We can ensure that AI becomes a catalyst for opportunity and innovation, which empowers all countries to thrive. Malaysia welcomes closer cooperation among BRICS to bridge the AI gap," he said.

Xinhua and The Star, Malaysia, contributed to this story.