The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) of Thailand has recommended that Thailand collaborate with other ASEAN nations to negotiate trade agreements with the US to avoid high import tariffs and penalties.

Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith underscored the importance of maintaining unity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) amidst global political upheavals at the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Vientiane on July 25.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo stressed that with its unity, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would be able to play a central role in bringing peace and economic growth ASEAN matters, while delivering a speech at the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 10.

Vietnam wants ASEAN to unite in all aspects, from institutions to economy and human resources, which is very important for ASEAN to uphold its central role, said Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung.