ASEAN Must Stay Neutral and United Amid Rising Global Economic Tensions, Says CCC President

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 4, 2026 (KPT) – ASEAN should maintain neutrality and unity amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce President Kith Meng said Wednesday at the Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit in Phnom Penh.

Speaking to regional business leaders, policymakers and investors, Meng warned that intensifying strategic competition among major powers and escalating conflicts could heighten economic uncertainty across Southeast Asia.

He noted that recent unilateral tariff measures and retaliatory responses have deepened global economic fragmentation and undermined the predictability of the multilateral trading system.

“ASEAN’s strength lies not in choosing sides, but in upholding openness, neutrality and centrality,” Meng said.

The summit comes as global markets face pressure from geopolitical frictions and disruptions in energy supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.

Despite these headwinds, Meng stressed that ASEAN remains one of the most dynamic and resilient economic regions, with its combined economy projected to reach nearly US$10 trillion by 2030—positioning the bloc as the world’s fourth-largest economy.

The two-day Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit, held March 3–4, gathered CEOs, investors and policymakers from across Southeast Asia to discuss regional economic transformation, supply chain integration and digital innovation.

Meng emphasized that stronger regional cooperation and private sector engagement will be vital to sustaining ASEAN’s role as a stabilizing force in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

“ASEAN must continue to reinforce dialogue, keep markets connected and ensure that economic cooperation is guided by fairness, transparency and mutual respect,” he said.