Malaysia Prime Minister warns of trade wars, tariffs

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that trade wars, tariffs, and sanctions are no longer just economic tools but have become weapons in the struggle for dominance, eroding trust and undermining the foundations of international cooperation.

In an article titled "The Global South Path's to Economic Resilience", published on Project Syndicate, Anwar noted that nations once seen as partners or market competitors now view each other merely as players in a global power struggle.

He wrote that with a new world order taking shape, countries must also recognize the growing challenges faced by nations across the Global South. Many mechanisms that once fueled their development are weakening, while development aid is being closely scrutinized by some of the world’s most powerful countries.

Anwar warned that economic interdependence, once the backbone of global prosperity, has now become a source of tension. If this trend continues, connectivity itself can become a vulnerability, even for countries that have long thrived under globalization.

As a trade-dependent nation, Malaysia acknowledges that global instability and protectionism make adaptability more crucial than ever, Anwar said.

However, he reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth, as well as its ambition to strengthen its position as a key hub for trade, investment, and technological innovation.

For these reasons, Malaysia has made the strategic decision to seek membership in BRICS, a bloc of major emerging economies, he added, emphasizing that joining BRICS aligns with Malaysia’s goal of bridging the development gap between the Global North and South.