Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will appeal for lower tariffs when he meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, after President Donald Trump threatened to impose a steeper rate on the Southeast Asian nation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending an Asean summit – his first official visit to the region since Donald Trump’s return.

The export-reliant ASEAN is collectively the world's fifth-biggest economy, with some members beneficiaries of supply chain realignments from China. Only Vietnam has secured a deal, which lowers the levy to 20% from 46% initially. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia said they would seek further talks ahead of the tariff implementation on August 1.

Trump imposes tariffs up to 40% on 14 countries, pressuring allies to shift production to the US and avoid ties with BRICS. Tensions mount globally.

Trump sent letters to 14 countries threatening them with new tariffs, and the White House said more countries may be included in the coming days.

President Trump on Monday said the U.S will impose 25% tariffs on goods from South Korea and Japan by Aug. 1, while also threatening to hit a dozen other nations with steep import duties by next month.

Vietnam remains the region’s largest apparel exporter to the U.S., sending roughly $18.6 billion worth of goods in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Cambodia follows with $7.8 billion, then Indonesia at $6.4 billion, Thailand at $2.7 billion, and Malaysia at $1.6 billion.

South Korea said it will review regulations flagged by the US while pressing for an easing of sectoral tariffs after President Donald Trump sent a letter with a new August deadline for imposing 25% across-the-board levies.

Trump said on Monday he would impose the tariff on goods from South Korea starting on August 1, posting a letter to President Lee Jae Myung on his social media platform along with one to Japan's leader.