PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), brokered by former Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, is effectively “null and void”, confirmed his successor.
A local daily reported Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani as saying that the 19% tariff imposed on Malaysian imports to the United States is no longer applicable, after the United States Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs were unconstitutional. These are the tariffs that invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“It is not on hold. It is no longer there, it’s null and void,” Johari said.
“The United States Supreme Court has ruled that if you want to impose tariffs, you must have reasons.”
The ART deal was officially signed on Oct 26, 2025 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Trump.
According to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry’s website, the ART promotes fair treatment, protects Malaysian exports and jobs and stabilises Malaysia-United States trade relations.
Going forward, Johari pointed out that any tariff action taken by Washington must now be justified on specific grounds rather than imposed across the board.
“If they claim it is due to a trade surplus, they must specify the industry involved.
“They cannot impose tariffs on a blanket basis,” Johari was quoted as saying.
The minister said the United States was now relying on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, under which Trump announced a temporary 10% tariff for 150 days until July 24.
Trump has said that he planned to raise the import tariff to 15%, but he has yet to do so.
Johari added that the interim measure under Section 122 could be followed by a review under Section 301 of the Trade Act, where the United States would examine whether foreign acts, policies or practices were unreasonable or discriminatory and placed a burden on US commerce.
