At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, leaders faced tough choices as Trump’s tariff threats loomed and China expanded its influence. With pressure mounting from both sides, ASEAN pushed for unity and new partnerships, including with the Gulf states. But internal divisions and the unresolved crisis in Myanmar cast a shadow. The summit was a clear reminder: if ASEAN wants to shape its own future, it needs to stand together, now more than ever.