ASEAN Accelerates De-Dollarization Amid US Tariff Pressures
De-dollarization momentum is intensifying across Southeast Asia as US tariff policies disrupt dollar-dominated trade systems. Six ASEAN members now face tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%, with Malaysia confronting a 24% rate—accelerating regional adoption of local currencies and alternative financial mechanisms.
BRICS expansion offers ASEAN economies new pathways for trade settlement, while cross-border digital payment systems gain traction. "The trend is irreversible," says Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, noting how tariff pressures are reshaping financial flows in emerging markets.