World Bank: Malaysia better off having trade agreements with both US, China

World Bank chief economist for East Asia and the Pacific Aaditya Mattoo

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is better off having trade agreements with both China and the United States (US) rather than being left out of any agreement or being part of an exclusive trade bloc, said the World Bank Group.

World Bank chief economist, East Asia and Pacific Region Aaditya Mattoo said the US economy is expected to grow at a slower rate this year, while China is expected to grow at a faster rate of 5.1 per cent this year, up from three per cent last year, with the latter’s growth offsetting the negative impact of slower growth in the US.