Asean should unite against Trump, EU on trade: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir said Asean countries could threaten as a bloc to avoid buying certain goods in retaliation.

Southeast Asian countries should band together and speak with one voice in global trade disputes with the US and European Union to avoid being bullied, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
 
Speaking to a business forum in Bangkok on Saturday, Mahathir said the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations should leverage its market of 650 million people to gain a greater voice on the world stage. He said the bloc can learn from President Donald Trump and hit back, citing efforts in the west to boycott Malaysian palm oil.
 
“If you cut down on imports of palm