Marcos talks Myanmar aid, US tariffs with Malaysian PM

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. — Photo from Bongbong Marcos/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discussed humanitarian aid to Myanmar and tariffs from the United States with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Marcos announced over social media that he and Anwar had a phone call to discuss economic and security issues in the region on Friday.

In a separate post, also on Friday, Anwar said, “I informed him of Malaysia’s desire and call for the ceasefire in Myanmar to be extended, to ensure that humanitarian aid can continue to reach the affected population.”

“On the issue of tariffs, as the Asean chair, I conveyed that Malaysia can leverage its position to demonstrate its significance to the United States in global tariff negotiations,” he added.

The two leaders’ conversation on aid to Myanmar came after the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country last March, leaving thousands dead.

READ: Myanmar anti-coup fighters call partial ceasefire for quake relief

Meanwhile, their discussion on tariffs stemmed from US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 17-percent tariff on the Philippines and a 24-percent tariff on Malaysia, among tariffs raised on other nations.

Trump ultimately paused these tariffs for 90 days.

READ: Trump pauses most of his tariffs

For his part, in his post, Marcos said he hopes ” to continue this discussion along with our other fellow leaders at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this month.

The Asean Summit will take place on May 26 and 27.