PETALING JAYA: The Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama) say that Malaysia should use its Asean chairmanship to speak up for the Asean countries against US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs.
In a statement yesterday, Perdasama president Mohd Azamanizam Baharon said this is necessary as such tariffs have the potential to disrupt trade and regional economic stability.
“As a nation that practises free trade and is export-oriented, Malaysia relies heavily on fair and equitable trade relationships. The Malaysian government is urged to leverage its position as the 2025 Asean Chair to exert peaceful and diplomatic political pressure in defending the economic interests of the country and the Asean region as a whole.
“There should be strategic cooperation at the regional level through bodies such as the Asean Business Advisory Council, which plays a crucial role in representing the interests of the Asean private sector.
“Through such initiatives, a collective resolution can be achieved to ensure fairer trade policies and mitigate the negative impact of this tariff on businesses and investments in the region.
“With Asean solidarity, along with support from both the private sector and the government, more effective measures can be taken to safeguard Malaysia’s and Asean’s economic competitiveness,” said Mohd Azamanizam.
On Wednesday, Trump announced that the United States would introduce a baseline tariff of 10% on all countries as well as higher duties on a list of selected countries, including Malaysia at 24%.
Trump said the tariffs – including 34% on Chinese goods, in addition to a 20% levy that had already been imposed – would enrich US coffers.
