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.

Southeast Asian nations will express “concern” over “counterproductive” US tariffs, according to a draft statement shared with AFP on Tuesday, after Donald Trump threatened more than a dozen countries with higher levies.

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.