Kuala lumpur: Sovereign interdependence must be built on the principles of choice, resilience, and mutual respect so that nations remain open to the world without compromising their dignity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He articulated this vision during his special address at the Kuala Lumpur Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation of the Boao Forum for Asia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized that while interdependence is inevitable in today’s interconnected world, it is crucial for smaller and developing nations to have the freedom to decide their partnerships rather than having ties imposed by external powers. He clarified that this is not a retreat from globalization; instead, it is a reformation that allows nations to stand independently while maintaining their interconnectedness.
Anwar highlighted that sovereign interdependence aims to preserve openness while protecting dignity, rejecting enforced dependence and decoupling. He expressed concern that interdependence has been misused by the world’s largest economy as a means of exerting leverage instead of facilitating cooperation. Energy pipelines, shipping routes, and semiconductor supply chains have been turned into tools of unfair advantage, while payment systems and capital flows are used as pressure tactics, leading to uncertainty and fragility in the global landscape.
Anwar warned against the pursuit of mercantilism, which generates economic disruptions and poses security and geopolitical risks. He argued that history demonstrates how competition to build barriers leads to declining prosperity and spreading instability, advocating instead for sovereign interdependence.
He further noted that the global trading system is suffering, with the World Trade Organization in a near-paralyzed state, and the world’s largest economies acting as disruptors rather than custodians. Tariffs fluctuate unpredictably, export controls are erratically imposed and lifted, and financial sanctions extend beyond their targets, challenging the complex, interdependent nature of geoeconomics.
The roundtable, co-hosted by Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, is part of BFA’s regional dialogue series. It underscores Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair and commitment to fostering regional collaboration. The focus is on strengthening multilateralism, enhancing connectivity, resilient supply chains, and leveraging free trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.