Joint Statement by International Organisations against Trump’s Attendance to ASEAN Summit

ASIA--PACIFIC, 20 Oct 2025

ASEAN - TRANSCEND Media Service

We, the undersigned organisations, fully condemn US President Donald Trump’s attendance at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. We make this condemnation based on our common stance against US imperialism which is the primary antagonist of our world today. The US has been responsible for so much of the violence and tragedy that has occurred all across the globe, affecting many nations, particularly those in the Global South, such as Palestine, Iraq, Indonesia, Congo, Vietnam, Korea, and many more. Hence, we demand that Trump and his administration refrain from setting foot on Malaysian soil during the summit. Additionally, the following is a list of further demands we have written, addressed to the US government:

Military

1. End U.S. support for the Zionist settler-colonisation of Palestine, as well as U.S. military interventions and aggression in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Venezuela, and more.
2. End U.S. military presence and use of U.S. military bases in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
3. End U.S. interference in the South China Sea conflict and ASEAN.
4. End U.S. interference in domestic politics through IMF, World Bank, NED/NDI and joint military exercises and training.

Economic

1. End unilateral sanctions against nations in the Global South, including Iran, Cuba, Syria, Panama and Axis of Resistance.
2. Stop economic subjugation of countries in Southeast Asia and the Global South such as the Philippines and Indonesia in the form of tariff wars and unequal trade agreements.
3. End U.S.-/Western imperialist-led neoliberalism and privatisation which seeks to serve Western monopoly capitalism while dismantling workers’ rights, public healthcare, and social services.

Environment

1. Immediately begin paying climate debt to countries in the Global South. The U.S. and Global North, including its military regime and multinational corporations, are responsible for the majority of global carbon emissions through their exploitation and wars in the Global South and must account for both its historical and ongoing emissions.

Furthermore, in support of the anti-imperialist campaign being conducted by the Malaysian coalition Sekretariat Bantah Trump, we endorse the following demands that they have prepared, directed at the Malaysian government:

1. End all forms of normalisation with imperialist United States forces, including military exercises with the U.S. and Israel, including RIMPAC and Keris Strike Exercises. Apply full diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to the U.S. to immediately end U.S. military aggression and involvement in the genocide in Gaza, war in Lebanon, Yemen, and other oppressed nations in the Global South facing imperialist aggression.
2. Nationalise key sectors and reduce dependency on foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign loans from Western imperialist institutions.
3. Sanction genocide-enabling companies including weapons manufacturers and asset managers such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Blackrock.
4. Close the U.S. embassy until the U.S. sanctions Israel. Summon the US ambassador for interrogation on US war crimes and reject the newly appointed ambassador Nick Adam.
5. Reduce dependence and trade in fossil fuels, particularly with imperialist institutions and countries such as the U. by accelerating a comprehensive Just Energy Transition away from fossil fuels and towards clean renewable energy, implementing policies against environmentally harmful foreign direct investment (FDI) and attracting only “green FDI” that aligns with sustainability goals and standards.

We believe that it is high time that the ASEAN nations, which form part of the Global South, take a firmer stance in avoiding all forms of normalisation to weaken US hegemony in the region. As such, we call upon the masses of people in the region, regardless of nationality, to stand together in opposition to the greatest threat to humanity in our time. Solidarity to all oppressed people in the world. Down with US hegemony!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s6PjgvBM0nYHVZxRf_FyZUVv9gJdmTJSbLjJZrxOMK0/edit?tab=t.0

Signed by:

Malaysia

1. GEGAR (Gerakan Gabungan Anti-Imperialis)
2. Students Against Genocide Malaysia (SAGM)
3. Angkatan Siswa Sosialis Malaysia (AKSI)
4. Sekolah Merdeka (SM)
5. SEA Artivist Network
6. Jentayu
7. BDS Malaysia
8. Friends of Palestine Network
9. Forces of Renewal Southeast Asia
10. Suara Siswa UITM

Palestine

1. Palestinian Communist Youth Union

Papua

1. Lao-Lao Papua

Indonesia

1. Perserikatan Sosialis
2. Lingkar Keadilan Ruang
3. YAPPIKA-Action Aid
4. RUAS Indonesia
5. Beranda Migran
6. Indonesia Development Circle
7. Islam Bergerak

Thailand

1. Solidarity Collective TH

Singapore

1. BDS Movement in Singapore
2. Students for Palestine Singapore

Philippines

1. Moro Consensus Group
2. Partido Sosyalista

Timor-Leste

1. Frente Resurreisaun Maubere (FRM)

Brunei

1. Palestine Poppies

Australia

1. DEEP Network
2. Climate Justice Alliance
3. Renters and Housing Union Australia (RAHU)

United States

1. Resist US-Led War Movement
2. Resist US-Led War PDX

Germany

1. International Peace Bureau (IPB)

_____________________________________________

Submitted by TRANSCEND Member Maung Zarni

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 20 Oct 2025.

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