AsianFin -- Hefty U.S. tariffs on Southeast Asian exports are expected to dominate discussions as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer meets with regional counterparts in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to advance a trade and investment agreement.

Southeast Asian economies, which rely heavily on exports to sustain growth, have voiced concern about the impact of the duties. Most countries in the region face U.S. tariff rates of 19% to 20%, while Laos and Myanmar are subject to a 40% levy. Singapore, by contrast, faces a 10% rate.

“Whether we will be discussing tariffs, it’s something that we will see,” Malaysian Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said Tuesday, ahead of hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ economic ministers for the talks.