Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized major global powers for weaponizing trade, stating that tools once used for growth are now employed to pressure, isolate, and contain nations. He urged ASEAN to increase internal trade and integration to bolster resilience against external geopolitical rivalries.
The weaponization of trade by major powers creates significant economic risks for smaller and developing nations, potentially disrupting supply chains and hindering growth. Anwar's call for increased regional cooperation within ASEAN highlights a growing trend of middle-ranking countries seeking to build resilience against geopolitical pressures and economic coercion.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has voiced strong criticism against major global powers for weaponizing international trade, arguing that economic interdependence is increasingly becoming a source of vulnerability for middle-ranking nations. Speaking at the opening of the annual meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers, Anwar stated that tools once designed to foster growth are now being wielded to 'pressure, isolate and contain.' He specifically pointed to tariffs, export restrictions, and investment barriers as instruments of geopolitical rivalry, warning that this trend is not a temporary issue but the "new weather of our time."
Anwar's remarks come at a critical juncture, with the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump threatening steep tariffs on exports from several Southeast Asian countries. Malaysia, along with five other nations in the bloc, faces potential duties of 25-40% unless trade agreements are finalized by August 1. Vietnam is noted as the only ASEAN country to have secured a trade deal with the current U.S. administration.
In response to these external pressures, Anwar urged ASEAN nations to enhance their internal economic cooperation. He called for closer coordination on foreign and economic policies, advocating for increased intra-regional trade and investment to build a stronger, more connected ASEAN economy. This strategic imperative, he believes, will anchor the region's relevance and resilience for decades to come. Anwar also emphasized the importance of rejecting the notion that the world can be divided into exclusive spheres of influence.