WEB DESK
Leaders of Southeast Asia have expressed concerns over the US-China trade war. Economic conflict was high on the agenda at the UN General Assembly in New York.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and other regional leaders took the podium on Friday.
Mahathir returned to power this year after stepping down from the post in 2003. He said the world’s 2 most powerful economies are inflicting pain on everyone else. He called on the US and China to show restraint.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the US and China are negatively affecting the global economy.
He said the trade war and protectionist policies mean countries are closing their doors.
The leaders also commented on US President Donald Trump’s unilateralist attitude. Mahathir said there is a dangerous trend of governments retreating from international collaborations. Hun Sen said he is worried by US withdrawals from multinational agreements. He said such actions threaten the international order.