Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says meetings in Washington to discuss the tariffs imposed on Malaysian exports are progressing well.
Anwar said he had received positive updates from investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and finance minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan after their meeting with US secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick yesterday.
“I received text messages from (them) and they said the meeting went excellently,” he said during his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable here.
Tengku Zafrul travelled to Washington yesterday to continue negotiations on the tariffs imposed on Malaysian goods.
He previously said that discussions would focus on three key areas: reducing the current 24% tariff rate, addressing non-tariff barriers, and narrowing the trade imbalance between Malaysia and the US.
Malaysian exports to the US face a 24% tariff unless an agreement is reached before a 90-day suspension expires on July 8.
Anwar said Malaysia had consistently stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing trade challenges, particularly through Asean
“We always emphasise that to secure what is fair for Malaysia, we must present our case through Asean,” he said.
“I urge my colleagues in Asean to do the same. Present a united bilateral position to remain a credible and constructive partner.”
Anwar acknowledged that the imposition of unilateral tariffs by the US presented a significant challenge to Malaysia and the region, particularly given the interconnected nature of global supply chains.
He stressed that international trade should be governed by transparent rules and legitimate, inclusive legal frameworks, not unilateral tariffs or “coercive economic measures”.
Anwar also warned that disruptions in trade and supply chains could have detrimental effects on businesses and hamper economic growth, further undermining efforts to enhance the region’s socio-economic development.
He affirmed that Malaysia would continue to engage constructively with global partners including the US, China, European Union, and India to promote both national and regional interests.
“Malaysia’s strategy of active non-alignment is a deliberate and principled approach aimed at maximising strategic flexibility, preserving decision-making autonomy, and engaging all partners on our own terms,” he said.
