International relationsASEAN agrees to lower barriers to boost regional trade
Bloc to sign key new agreement in October amid global economic tension
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim waits to welcome regional leaders to the plenary session of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26 © Reuters
TSUBASA SURUGA and NORMAN GOH
KUALA LUMPUR -- Southeast Asian leaders are pushing to deepen economic integration at a regional summit that began Monday, approving an upgraded trade agreement and endorsing a new long-term vision in their first meeting since Washington announced sweeping tariffs in April.