MALAYSIA called for deeper south-east Asian integration today as an answer to United States President Donald Trump’s disruption of global trade.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) member states that “the US-China trade war is dramatically disrupting production and trade patterns worldwide. A global economic slowdown is likely.

“We must seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration so that we can better shield our region from external shocks.”

He called for the countries to present a united front in trade talks with the US rather than allow them to be divided and ruled.

Mr Trump announced tariffs on almost all countries in what he termed “Liberation Day” on April 2, then a 90-day pause on April 9, which led to countries scrambling to agree deals to avoid the tariffs coming into effect. The pause is in its 46th day today.

Asean’s regional summit is followed by a bloc meeting with China tomorrow.