US tariff talks progressing well, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivering his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur today.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
6 judges honoured with rare elevation ceremony in Penang
The six judges with presiding senior Justice Rozana Ali Yusoff after the elevation ceremony at the High Court in George Town. GEORGE TOWN : Six High Court judges were honoured at a rare judicial elevation ceremony here today, reviving a long-standing tradition with roots dating back over two centuries. Today's ceremony presided over by senior judge Justice Rozana Ali Yusoff was the first to honour six judges at once. They were: Quay Chew Soon, Anand Ponnudurai, Azizan Arshad, Kenneth Yoong Ken Chinson St James, Fathiyah Idris and Rofiah Mohamad. Penang Bar chair Gowri Subbaiyah said the elevation ceremony usually takes place only when judicial commissioners are confirmed as High Court judges, 'which usually takes two to three years'. However, some among the six judges had been confirmed over the past three years but had not been formally recognised. 'Since they are still serving here, we felt it was only right to include them,' she said. It is understood that the elevation ceremony was last held in 2017, when Justice Lim Chong Fong, now a judge at the Court of Appeal, was elevated to the High Court. After today's ceremony, Justice St James described his confirmation as both humbling and liberating. 'I'm beholden to no one now. Only to God, my oath, the Constitution, and the rule of law,' he said. Justice Quay said his time in Penang had been both challenging and rewarding. 'I've enjoyed the cases, especially the complex ones, as they test the mind. And I've enjoyed the food and the people even more,' he said, adding that Penang was 'the best station a judge could hope for'. Justice Fathiyah paid tribute to the senior lawyers who helped her grow when she was a sessions court judge in Ipoh. Justice Anand, best known for his work in employment law, said the variety of cases in Penang had pushed him to grow. 'I've had to learn Acts of Parliament I never knew existed. And it's been worth it,' he said. 'My guiding rule is simple. I must be honest with myself. If I sign a judgment, it's because I believe it's the right decision.' The elevation ceremony is believed to have its beginnings in 1808 when the colonial settlement received its charter of justice, which led to the founding of the first formal court. Elevation ceremonies used to include a procession where judges would walk in full regalia from St George's Church to the court building. Although public processions are no longer held, the 'ceremonial spirit lives on', according to lawyer T Tharumarajah, who said the ceremony is aimed at introducing new judges to the public. It also serves as a bridge between the bar and the bench. He said: 'Judges and lawyers are meant to engage (with one another), not keep apart. But after the scandals that rocked the judiciary in the early 2000s, that bond weakened. It shouldn't be that way.'
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Abang Jo to ‘table something' at special Sarawak assembly sitting
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg is expected to table a bill at a special one-day sitting of the state assembly. PETALING JAYA : The Sarawak legislative assembly will convene on July 7 for a special one-day sitting, with state premier Abang Johari Openg expected to table a bill. The Borneo Post reported that a letter on the special sitting, which starts at 9am, has been sent to assemblymen, although the purpose was not disclosed. Sarawak deputy premier Dr Sim Kui Hian was also reticent about the agenda of the meeting when asked by reporters, saying simply that Abang Johari would be 'tabling something' on the day without elaborating further.
Malaysia Sun
an hour ago
- Malaysia Sun
Piyush Goyal's statement on India ASEAN Trade is unwarranted, says former Union Minister Anand Sharma
ANI 20 Jun 2025, 15:09 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Former Union Commerce & Industry Minister of India, Anand Sharma, on Friday said in a statement that the statement by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on 'belittling India ASEAN Trade Agreements is unwarranted, ill-advised and unfortunate.' Anand Sharma believes that both India and ASEAN has been together for three decades engaged in a multifaceted relationship which is mutually rewarding and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional bloc of ten Southeast Asian countries. Formed in 1967, its primary goals are to foster economic growth, social progress, and cultural development, while also promoting regional peace and further believes that this relationship is important for 'Look East policy to deepen and diversify India's relations with a region that is economically vibrant and of enormous geo-strategic importance for engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.''Piyush Goyal's statement terming the Trade agreement with ASEAN as silly and labelling these counties as B team of China is irresponsible and insulting. He has forgotten, that President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for 2025 Republic Day Parade,' Anand Sharma said. The former Union Minster in his statement also emphasized that, 'trade in goods with ASEAN counties also includes essential imports: Iron ore and Coal from Indonesia, Palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, Oil - Petroleum products from Brunei Dares Salam and Malaysia and pulses from Mayanmar.''It needs mention that ASEAN is India's 4th largest trading partner accounting for over 11% of India's total global trade with bilateral trade at 120billion USD and accounts for over 11% of India's Exports. FDI inflows from ASEAN to India account for over 18% of total FDI inflows since 2000,' he further about the Commerce Minister, he also said that, 'Commerce Minister should be prioritising strengthening trade relations with partner countries and not insulting them while bending backwards to negotiate a suboptimal trade agreement with USA on its terms.' (ANI)
