THE world today faces turbulence on many fronts. From Harvey and Irma here in the United States, to the threats of nuclear proliferation, radicalisation and new and ever-more barbarous acts of terrorism around the globe, nations need firm partners and friends. Which is why when Malaysia recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of our independence, I was particularly pleased to receive this message from the US embassy in our capital, Kuala Lumpur: “So proud to be your friends since the beginning!”
President Trump and I will be marking six decades of strong bilateral ties when we meet at the White House on Tuesday, but the relationship between our nations goes much further back in history. Our rubber, for example, was crucial for the growth of the American automobile industry, and that demand spurred our own economic growth — an early example of a mutually beneficial partnership between our countries.
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