US Tariffs Threaten Southeast Asian Trade Bloc Amid Strategic Tensions

The recent warning by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that "global trade is being weaponized" is more than just diplomatic rhetoric—it’s a stark reality America First advocates have long anticipated. As the United States prepares to impose sharp tariffs on exports from six out of ten Southeast Asian nations within ASEAN, the event exposes the risks of overly dependent trade relationships and the dangers posed by weaponized economic policies. President Trump’s decision to enforce tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on goods from these countries starting August 1 sends a clear message: free-riding on American markets without fair reciprocity will...