Anwar slams tariffs as regional meeting starts in Kuala Lumpar

MALAYSIA Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim slammed on Wednesday trade tariffs as regional foreign ministers gathered in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day meet, which also included talks with the US, China and Russia.

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US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff moves will be high on the agenda at a meeting of top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Malaysian capital ending on Friday.

“Across the world tools once used to generate growth are now wielded to pressure, isolate and contain” Anwar said as the conference started.

“Tariffs, export restrictions and investment barriers have now become the sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry,’ Anwar said, without specifically naming the US.

His remarks came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew to Malaysia for his first visit to Asia as Washington's top diplomat.

Rubio was expected in the Malaysian capital today for two days of meetings.