Jakarta, May 22 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that all ASEAN member states recognize ASEAN centrality as essential in addressing the current global situation.

"All ASEAN members also support ASEAN's increasing diplomatic efforts," the ministry's Director General for ASEAN Cooperation, Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, noted in a press briefing in Jakarta, Wednesday (May 21).

ASEAN member countries have intensified diplomatic efforts in response to the reciprocal tariff policy imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Sidharto noted that ASEAN prefers not to take retaliatory action against the US policy but instead decided to engage in dialogue with the US through existing mechanisms such as the Trade and Investment Framew...