Malaysia's timber exports may gain edge due to higher US tariffs on competitors

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's timber exports may gain a competitive edge in the American market due to higher tariffs imposed on regional rivals such as Vietnam and Indonesia.
Vietnam, once a leading furniture exporter in the region, now faces tariffs as high as 46 per cent compared with Malaysia's import levy of 24 per cent, Director of Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin said.
"US President Donald Trump imposed higher tariffs on Vietnam probably because they're afraid China might use Vietnam as a manufacturing hub" to bypass American trade restrictions," he told Bernama.
The US is the largest buyer of Malaysian furniture, accounting for over half of furniture exports.
However, the tariffs announced on April 2 have been paused for 90 days till early July to allow America's trading partners to negotiate for lower tariffs.
"If they don't impose high tariffs on Vietnam, China could exploit that route. So, on paper, the advantage actually lies with us (Malaysia)," he said.
In 2022, Malaysia exported timber and timber products worth RM7.73 billion to the US. This was a steady increase from RM3.76 billion in 2018.
Malaysia's timber exports worldwide include furniture, logs, veneer, plywood and medium-density fibreboard.
Asked on the challenges faced by the timber industry, Wan Tarmeze said Malaysia's furniture sector primarily relies on processed wood rather than solid timber, with wood-based materials accounting for up to 85 per cent of inputs in the making of the furniture.
Geopolitical tensions may create opportunities
He said the ongoing Iran-Israel military conflict was not expected to have a direct impact on Malaysia's timber exports.
Nevertheless, post-conflict reconstruction could open up new market opportunities and raise demand for Malaysian timber.
"Wars often lead to widespread destruction, but once the situation stabilises, there's usually a surge in demand for rebuilding – including homes and infrastructure," he said.
Calls for shift from OEM to OBM in timber exports
When asked how Malaysia can position itself as a high-value timber exporter rather than a volume-based player, he said the shift ultimately depends on the industry players themselves.
"This has been a long-standing conversation as Malaysia is still heavily reliant on the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) model, manufacturing timber products for others without having its own strong, internationally recognised brands.
"Take IKEA for example, which is a Swedish brand while Italy has its own well-known brand names, but Malaysia has yet to produce a brand that stands out globally," he said.
OEM refers to manufacturing products for other brands, whereas original brand manufacturers (OBM) involves developing and marketing products under one's own brand name.
Wan Tarmeze said that despite the government's repeated calls for the industry to move from being OEMs to OBMs, the shift has yet to happen.
"The issue is not about identity but branding, and without branding we can't build value.
"The truth is Malaysia tends to shy away from copying, but we should be more open to learning from others, even "stealing" ideas in the sense of adapting best practices and making them our own," he said.

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