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Top economic officials from Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states met on Sunday to discuss rising geopolitical tensions and the impact of US tariffs on the bloc's trading and investment landscape, agreeing to take countermeasures to mitigate the levy.

They agreed that the bloc must "break away from business as usual," as rising Western protectionist policies threaten to derail regional growth, according to a declaration issued after economic leaders from the 10-member bloc met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, ahead of the 46th ASEAN summit on Monday, Malay Mail reported.

Speaking at a news conference following the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) meeting, Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said the bloc believes it must be "agile" and "bolder" in the face of a volatile global climate.

"At the meeting this morning, the AECC deliberated on several pressing issues, including the rising geopolitical tension and the impact of US tariff measures on the ASEAN trading and investment landscape," Aziz was quoted by the newspaper as telling reporters.

“The AECC council collectively acknowledged that ASEAN would need to break away from the business-as-usual approach. We need to be bolder and more agile with more forward-looking strategies in order to advance and safeguard ASEAN’s socioeconomic interests," he added.

The ASEAN member states have been hit by US tariffs ranging from 10% to 49%, but President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on the penalties last month, prompting ASEAN nations to quickly begin talks with Washington.

ASEAN is an international intergovernmental organization made up of Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

*Writing by Aamir Latif