Pact’s perks and pitfalls

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) and United States President Donald Trump during an expanded bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

THE recent trade agreement between Malaysia and the United States appears to grant preferential treatment to its goods and services.

This raises concerns about its one-sided nature and the leverage it provides to the government. Critics of the deal have highlighted a clause requiring Malaysia to align with US sanctions and restrictions on third countries, particularly those targeting China.