Volvo Cars, headquartered in Sweden, is set to let go of approximately 3,000 employees as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations.

These job cuts will largely affect administrative roles within Sweden and account for around 15% of the company’s office-based staff.

Just a few weeks ago, the automaker, under the ownership of China’s Geely Holding, introduced a comprehensive “action plan” worth 18 billion Swedish kronor ($1.9bn; £1.4bn) aimed at reshaping its structure.

Automobile companies globally are grappling with numerous setbacks, from the imposition of 25% import taxes on vehicles by the US government to a surge in material expenses and reduced demand across Europe.

Chief Executive Håkan Samuelsson described this as a “challenging period” for the industry, noting the necessity of such measures.

“The actions announced today have been difficult decisions, but they are important steps as we build a stronger and even more resilient Volvo Cars,” he said in a statement.

Earlier in the month, the company reported an 11% decline in April’s global sales when compared to the same month a year ago.

Volvo’s central administrative offices are located in Gothenburg, and the firm operates major factories in countries such as Sweden, Belgium, China, and the United States.

Geely acquired the automaker from its previous American owner in 2010.

In 2021, Volvo shared its vision to produce only electric vehicles by 2030. However, that plan was scaled back last year due to several complications, including “additional uncertainties created by recent tariffs on EVs in various markets.”

Meanwhile, a Japanese automotive company disclosed earlier this month its decision to reduce its global workforce by 11,000 and close seven plants, citing weak sales performance.

The manufacturer has seen significant losses due to declining sales figures in China and aggressive pricing strategies in the US, its top two markets. A proposed business alliance with two other major Japanese automakers was also abandoned earlier this year.

These new layoffs bring the company’s total job cuts in the past year to about 20,000 employees, representing 15% of its entire workforce.

In a sign of escalating competition, a leading Chinese EV brand announced sweeping price reductions across more than 20 vehicle models over the weekend.

One of its most affordable models, the Seagull EV, now starts at 55,800 yuan ($7,745; £5,700).

Following this, other Chinese auto firms, including one partly supported by a major European-American vehicle group, introduced similar discounts.

The news prompted a steep decline in share values for several Chinese automakers.

This past April, that same Chinese EV manufacturer reportedly sold more units in Europe than Tesla for the first time, according to independent car market analysts.

Leaders from Southeast Asia have gathered for a historic summit alongside China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as they work to protect their trade-reliant economies from potential new trade restrictions imposed by the United States.

The gathering is being hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, and forms part of the annual meeting of the 10-country bloc known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Malaysia, currently chairing the bloc, is joined by fellow member countries Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The high-level discussions are set to take place following prior meetings held between ASEAN and the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

As the ASEAN-GCC session commenced, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that increased cooperation between these regions would play a vital role in boosting mutual support and long-term development.

“I believe the ASEAN-GCC partnership has never been more important than it is today, as we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape marked by economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges,” Anwar said.

Ahead of the summit, Anwar noted in a prepared statement that “a transition in the geopolitical order is underway” and warned that “the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of US uniunilateral tariffs.”

He also cautioned that the rise in trade restrictions globally is contributing to “multilateralism breaking apart at the seams.”

China Pushes for Economic Unity

Arriving in Kuala Lumpur a day before the official summit, China’s Premier Li Qiang expressed Beijing’s commitment to deeper economic connections among China, ASEAN, and the GCC during his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar.

“At a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise and world economic growth is sluggish,” Li said, China, ASEAN and GCC countries “should strengthen coordination and cooperation and jointly uphold open regionalism and true multilateralism.”

Li conveyed Beijing’s openness to collaborating with Malaysia and other regional players to “promote closer economic cooperation among the three parties” in facing global difficulties.

While ASEAN traditionally balances relations with both Washington and Beijing, recent tariff threats from the Trump administration have put a strain on that neutrality.

Among the most impacted were six ASEAN countries, which saw U.S. tariff rates climb to as high as 49 percent.

In a move that temporarily eased tensions, a 90-day suspension of these tariffs was announced earlier this year, including a separate accord reached with China.

Officials say that ASEAN nations are now keen to broaden their economic ties with regions such as the Middle East and East Asia, as part of broader efforts to shield their markets.

A sign of how much weight the Gulf region places on this summit is reflected in the delegation it has dispatched. Attending are several high-profile leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, crown princes from Kuwait and Bahrain, and a deputy prime minister from Oman.

Anwar also mentioned that he had sent a letter requesting an ASEAN-US leaders’ summit within the year, stressing the importance of regional cooperation. Yet, according to the Malaysian foreign ministry, there had been no formal reply from Washington at the time.

ASEAN often functions as a neutral connector in global affairs, maintaining open dialogue with major powers such as the United States and China. Experts have said that due to the unpredictability of U.S. economic policy, ASEAN countries are seeking new partnerships to avoid over-dependence.

“Given the uncertainty and unpredictability associated with economic relations with the United States, ASEAN member states are looking to diversify,” a regional affairs scholar stated.

“Facilitating exchanges between the Gulf and People’s Republic of China is one aspect of this diversification.”

Malaysia, which played host to the start of ASEAN’s 46th annual summit, is seen as the driving force behind this multilateral engagement.

China, meanwhile, is exploring ways to expand into alternative markets after bearing the brunt of steep tariffs from the U.S.

Analysts suggest that Premier Li’s involvement in this summit comes at a strategic moment. “China sees an opportunity here to reinforce its image as a reliable economic partner, especially in the face of Western decoupling efforts,” one regional expert commented.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China had intensified until a temporary understanding was reached during negotiations in Switzerland to pause tariffs for three months.

Still, Chinese exports continue to face elevated U.S. tariff rates compared to most other countries.