Malaysian PM warns Southeast Asia that trade war is not a 'passing storm'

KUALA LUMPUR: 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.

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.


Eight Asean members are among 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.

"Our cohesion must not end at declarations," he said, calling for members to increase intra-Asean trade, invest in regional integration, and reduce strategic dependencies on external powers. "This is no passing storm," he said. "It is the new weather of our time."

Trump first announced tariffs in April, but then delayed them for 90 days to allow for deals to be negotiated. On Monday and Wednesday, he announced new tariffs with rates of between 20 per cent- 40 per cent on a list of countries, which will go into effect August 1 unless new deals are struck. He also threatened to increase tariffs if any countries retaliate.

Many Asean members have launched bilateral talks with the US, but officials have said they plan to hold an Asean - US summit later this year to seek a common position.

So far, only Vietnam has secured a deal, bringing down its tariffs from 46 per cent to 20 per cent.

The lists threaten 36 per cent tariffs for Thailand and Cambodia, 32 per cent for Indonesia, 25 per cent for Malaysia and Brunei, 20 per cent for the Philippines, and 40 per cent for Laos and war-torn Myanmar.

Reacting to the economic headwinds, Malaysia's central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in five years.

Separately, trade minister Zafrul Aziz said Malaysia will continue tariff talks with the US but won't compromise on issues impacting national interest and sovereignty. He referred to US requests on policy and laws in areas such as government procurement, halal certification, medical standards and digital tax, without giving details.

"It has to be fair ... if the deal does not benefit Malaysia, we should not have a deal," he said.

In addition to confronting trade fallout, the bloc faces mounting internal challenges including the ongoing civil war in Myanmar and a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

The gathering in Malaysia will be immediately followed by a series of critical meetings with Asean's major trade partners, including the US, China, Japan, Russia, India, and the European Union, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who last week cancelled trips to Japan and South Korea, arrived Thursday for the talks as part of his first visit to Asia since taking office. Others visiting foreign ministers include China's Wang Yi and Sergei Lavrov of Russia.

Analysts said these talks will test Asean's ability to assert its voice amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

The bloc hopes to reinforce its commitment to a rules-based trade order while resisting pressure to align exclusively with any one global power.

"Asean must be among those who choose to stand for rules, even when others choose retreat," Anwar said. Officials said the premier will meet Rubio to discuss the tariff issue.

Analysts said Rubio's presence signaled renewed US engagement in the region.

It will be a reminder to "the region that Washington remains its most vital economic and security partner," said Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, strategy and security analyst with Universiti Malaya. But he said that US support may now come with clearer expectations.

"Trump's administration, while still offering the strongest military deterrence and market access, expects Asean to stop exploiting this security umbrella while cozying up economically to China," he said.