Malaysia's Anwar Warns of Weaponised Trade Amid Looming Trump Tariffs

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has issued a strong warning about the weaponisation of global trade, highlighting how economic tools like tariffs and trade barriers are increasingly being used to pressure and control weaker nations. His remarks were made during the opening of the annual ASEAN foreign ministers’ summit, held against the backdrop of looming tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump.

Anwar pointed out that while power has historically influenced global trade, it now dominates it. He emphasized that mechanisms once designed to foster growth—such as tariffs, export controls, and investment policies—are now being repurposed as instruments of geopolitical rivalry. Although he didn’t mention Trump by name, his message clearly alluded to the current U.S. administration’s protectionist policies. Anwar described the situation as not just a temporary storm but “the new weather of our time,” indicating a long-term shift in global economic dynamics.

His comments come as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Malaysia on his first trip to Asia in his current role. Rubio’s visit includes participation in several key ASEAN events, including the East Asia Summit, which brings together ASEAN countries along with external powers like China, India, Japan, and South Korea. While U.S. officials frame the visit as a demonstration of America’s commitment to a “free, open, and secure” Indo-Pacific, trade issues are expected to dominate discussions, particularly in light of Trump’s latest tariff threats.

Under Trump’s new tariff policy, exports from 14 countries—including six ASEAN members (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar)—face duties ranging from 25 to 40 percent unless new trade agreements are reached by the August 1 deadline. So far, only Vietnam among ASEAN nations has successfully negotiated a trade deal with the Trump administration, avoiding the punitive tariffs.

In light of these developments, Anwar urged ASEAN nations to confront the evolving global landscape with clarity and unity. He called for stronger regional coordination on both foreign and economic policies to withstand external pressures. Anwar advocated for increased intra-ASEAN trade and investment and deeper sectoral integration to build a more resilient and interconnected regional economy. He stressed that enhancing ASEAN’s internal strength is not only economically beneficial but also strategically necessary for the region’s long-term relevance on the global stage.

Furthermore, Anwar warned against allowing external powers to divide the world into spheres of influence or to make decisions that affect Southeast Asia without regional input. “We are a region that charts its own course deliberately, coherently, and with purpose,” he said, reaffirming ASEAN’s sovereignty and decision-making autonomy. “ASEAN will not be spoken for in absentia,” he added.

In summary, Anwar’s speech was a call to action for Southeast Asian nations to unify in the face of increasing global trade tensions and shifting power dynamics. His remarks highlighted the urgent need for ASEAN to reinforce its economic and political independence, assert its role in international affairs, and resist becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical rivalries.