Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned Wednesday that global trade is being weaponized as Southeast Asia’s foreign ministers opened an annual meeting while facing the looming threat of U.S. trade tariffs.

US President Donald Trump's letters on tariff increases are sending shivers through Southeast Asia. Malaysia will face a 25 percent tariff, one percent higher than the rate announced in April. The country has expressed concerns that unilateral measures could disrupt business activities that benefit both countries.

When US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to extend a pause on "reciprocal" tariffs until August 1, it offered little comfort to China. Instead, Beijing's policymakers may feel increasingly cornered,