Asean seen pledging

by AFP.

The statement warns of “uncertainties surrounding global economic recovery, the rising trends of protectionism, and global policy

“We reiterated our strong commitment to open and inclusive regionalism, free and open markets and underscored the critical importance of the rules-based multilateral trad-

US President Donald Trump sent shock waves around the world last month when he imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

He also authorized tariffs on about $50 billion worth of Chinese exports in response to Beijing’s alleged theft of American intellectual property.

Beijing has responded by slapping duties on key US agricultural exports, in measures intended to target the American president’s support base — and could also do so for the sensitive US soybean industry.

Trump accuses China of driving up

with the United States through unfair trade practices.

The leaders will also welcome Friday’s historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in while calling on Pyongyang to get rid of its atomic weapons.

On the disputed South China Sea, the leaders are expected to take note of “the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust

may undermine peace, security and

Four ASEAN states — Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam — have laid partial claims to the sea, pitting them against China which asserts sovereignty over almost the entire area.

China rankled its smaller neighbors when it carried out massive land reclamations in the sea, and is now putting up structures, which analysts say include runways and military facilities.