Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim warns Southeast Asia that trade war not ‘passing storm’

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned Wednesday that global trade is being weaponised as Southeast Asia's foreign ministers held annual talks ahead of the looming threat of US trade tariffs.

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Concerns about US tariffs have jolted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a 10-member bloc that includes some of the world's most trade-dependent economies.

Six ASEAN members are among the 14 countries that could see duties on their exports to the US skyrocket on August 1.

Launching the group's foreign ministers’ meeting, Anwar said the world is now witnessing an era where “power unsettles principle” and “tools once used to generate growth are now wielded to pressure, isolate and contain.”

Without mentioning the US by name, he again urged ASEAN to work together to respond to trade threats.