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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks progressing well
KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions with the United States (US) on reciprocal tariffs, ahead of the expiry of its temporary exemption on July 8, are progressing well, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said he was informed of the update from the meeting by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Anwar said that during the meeting, Malaysia emphasised not only the need to secure a fair outcome for itself, but also the importance of consistently presenting Asean's position. "This morning, I received a message from the ministers (Tengku Zafrul and Amir Hamzah) that the meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce and state representatives went very well. "We have always stressed the importance of securing what is fair for Malaysia, but also of presenting the case for Asean. "I urge my colleagues in Asean to do the same, which is to present their respective bilateral positions while also emphasising the importance of Asean remaining a cohesive and effective bloc," he said in his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable. Anwar added that the imposition of unilateral tariffs poses a significant challenge to both Malaysia and the region, given their deep integration into global supply chains. Anwar said that 60 per cent of Malaysia's semiconductor and electrical and electronic (E&E) products are exported to the US. On this note, he stressed that international trade must be governed by transparent rules and legal predictability, not by unilateralism or coercive economic measures. "Disruptions in trade and supply chains will only have detrimental effects on businesses and hamper economic growth, further impacting efforts to ensure the socio-economic wellbeing of the people," he said. Anwar said Malaysia would continue to engage constructively with the United States, China, the European Union, India, and other partners in advancing its national interests. "And let there be no doubt: 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. "Over the past two years, Malaysia has reached out to like-minded partners in the Global South to bridge regions, build collective resolve and promote shared prosperity. "Our focus is clear, pragmatic, coordinated and action-oriented cooperation. It is in this spirit that we have revitalised our pursuit of greater inter-regional connectivity and collaboration," he said. He added that the recent reinvigoration of BRICS to include members and partner countries from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and South America represents the very essence of bridging regions. Malaysia, he said, looks forward to collaborating as a partner country and exploring new avenues for niche-area cooperation. "Contrary to reductionist perspectives on why several Southeast Asian countries are engaging with BRICS, it is neither about taking sides nor turning away from the West. "It is a manifestation of agency, autonomy, and trust in sustained cooperation to address shared challenges," he said.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
US tariff talks progressing well, says Anwar
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 By: Pan Eu Joe, FMT Text Size: 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. Advertisement '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. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'Speak plainly, act decisively': Anwar on Israeli air strikes on Iran
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on global leaders to speak plainly and act decisively to prevent further escalation following Israeli air strikes on Iran. The attacks constitute a blatant violation of international law, he said, warning that they undermine diplomacy and threaten global stability. "Events in the Middle East have made it patently clear how the tables of diplomacy could be instantly overturned by the fury of calculated violence. "The incessant, punitive, and unprovoked Israeli strikes on Iranian territory which was undertaken even as crucial talks were underway are clearly aimed at shattering the possibility of dialogue itself. "Such actions, carried out with utter impunity, constitute a blatant violation of international law, further eroding the norms that hold the global order together. "We call on those with power and influence to speak plainly and act decisively to restrain further escalation," Anwar said in his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable. He also called for concerted international action to uphold humanitarian law in regards to the worsening tragedy in Gaza. "The staggering civilian casualties, overwhelmingly women and children, demand far more than pious proclamations of concern. "They require concerted international action to uphold humanitarian law, secure an immediate ceasefire, and ensure the unfettered delivery of aid to those in desperate need. "The credibility of the so-called rules-based order is on trial," he said. Anwar also said the unresolved tensions between Pakistan and India remain a delicate fault line. He said their future hinges not only on old grievances but also on present choices of whether to invest in stability or continue edging towards the cusp of catastrophe. The same pressures, he said, is in Asia Pacific specifically in the Taiwan Strait, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. "Here, as ever, we must insist on the primacy of dialogue over disruption, of law over disorder, of restraint over escalation. Anwar said Malaysia envisions a regional security framework that is inclusive and rules-based, where non-alignment is respected. He said that while reshaping the region may not be possible, efforts must be made to prevent its worst outcomes. "What we do now, how we manage tensions, balance relationships, and defend our interests, will decide how the region weathers the storms ahead," he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks progressing well
KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions with the United States (US) on reciprocal tariffs, ahead of the expiry of its temporary exemption on July 8, are going well, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said he was informed of the update from the meeting, which was represented by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Anwar added that during the meeting, Tengku Zafrul and Amir Hamzah had emphasised not only the need to secure what is fair for Malaysia, but also the importance of consistently presenting the case for Asean. "I urged my colleagues in Asean to do likewise," he said in his keynote address at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable here today.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean needs to mature to be able to do more in terms of maritime dispute
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean should reflect, reform and adapt to new global realities to be able to do much more especially in maritime disputes, says an academician. De La Salle University Department of International Studies chair Prof Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby said the bloc has long relied on its ability to bring in major powers, but did not mature beyond the norms established when it was formed in 1967. "I'm going to use the metaphor of Peter Pan to describe Asean because Asean has prided itself in pulling the great powers in and this is precisely what Asean has done since its establishment in 1967, and more so in the years at the end of the World War. "But the normative commitments of Asean remain a reflection of the realities of 1967 and less so the realities of 2025," she said She said Asean appears to hope that the international environment will adjust to its vision, instead of adapting to changing geopolitical dynamics. "If Asean continues to do this, then it's a very naive way of navigating great power politics," she said. She was speaking during a plenary session titled "Mapping 'Boundaries': Perspectives of Maritime Security" at the 38th Asia Pacific Roundtable here. She added that while Asean has done what it could in the South China Sea dispute under its existing commitments, the time has come for deep self-reflection and reform, not only within the Secretariat but also in the principles it upholds. "If we want Asean to do much more, then Asean also needs to evolve to engage in some form of self-reflection and look at reform, not just the Secretariat, but also the commitments that Asean purports to hold dear," she said. Meanwhile, East Sea Institute, Vietnam Diplomatic Academy deputy director-general Dr Do Thanh Hai said Asean is both "insufficient and indispensable." He said while Asean has proven effective in keeping peace among its own members, including managing tensions in the South China Sea. "Vietnamese and Philippine played volleyball with each other in Santa Fe and in the Spratly together. So we among us, we resolved the dispute with each other. We managed to also have the joint development with Malaysia. "Asean countries did came at the consensus that we have to resolve the dispute in peace in peaceful way," he said. University of Wollongong's Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security director Prof Stuart Kaye said Asean should be commended for its cooperation in maritime matters, though its role is often misunderstood. "I think Asean works best when it's looking at developing regulatory structures or guidelines for its members... Responding to crises, I'm not sure that that's Asean metier," he said. He added that while expectations should remain realistic, from an external perspective, Asean continues to do "good work."
