Tariff talks with Washington have been excellent, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Ongoing negotiations with the US over its unilateral tariffs are going very well, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).

The Prime Minister said this was conveyed by Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who are both currently in Washington DC leading the talks.

“This morning, I received a message from the Miti Minister and the Finance Minister II, that the meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce have been excellent.

“We always emphasised the need to secure what is fair for Malaysians and always represent the case for Asean,” said Anwar in his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable in KL on Thursday (June 19).

“I have also urged my colleagues in Asean to do likewise, present bilateral positions and emphasise the need for Asean to remain as a cohesive force,” added Anwar.

Tengku Zafrul and Amir flew to Washington DC on June 18 to continue negotiations over the US tariffs imposed on Malaysian goods.

It was previously reported that Tengku Zafrul was scheduled to meet US trade representative Jamieson Greer and other officials, investors, and business groups including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce.

Malaysia faces a 24% tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides can reach an agreement before the 90-day pause ends on July 8.

Anwar said the imposition of unilateral tariffs by the US has posed a significant challenge to Malaysia, as over 60% of its semiconductor exports are meant for the US markets.

“So, you can imagine the concern of the government and Malaysians to secure a fair resolution to this issue,” he added.

Anwar said Malaysia remains consistent that international trade must be governed by transparent rules and predictability, not by unilateralism or coercive economic measures.

“Disruptions in trade and the supply chain will leave detrimental effects in business, hampering economic growth.

“That said, Malaysia will continue to engage constructively with the US, China, India and the European Union, in advancing our national and regional interests.

“Malaysia’s strategy of active non-alignment is a deliberate and principled framework – designed to maximise strategic flexibility, preserve decision-making autonomy and engage all partners on our own terms,” added Anwar.