MELAKA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he is engaging senior figures close to US President Donald Trump, to initiate discussions over the recently imposed 24% tariffs on Malaysian exports to the country.
"I have personally reached out to individuals who have strong connections with Trump," he said during the Madani Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh on Saturday (April 5).
Anwar also said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan received a phone call on Friday (April 4) from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both parties agreeing to continue negotiations.
Anwar also said he would engage his counterparts in China, Japan and South Korea to formulate a collective response to the US tariffs.
"President Trump is doing this in the best interest of the United States' economy.
"We must find a way to defend our nation's economic interests, as these directly affect our people's employment, education, healthcare, wealth and the country's revenue capabilities," he said.
Anwar said Thailand, Indonesia or Malaysia alone would not be strong enough unless the full strength of Asean is harnessed to reinforce respective economies.
"We must acknowledge the possibility of some disruption to economic growth we have so carefully planned," he said.
On Wednesday (April 2), Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Malaysia along with approximately 180 other countries, triggering widespread concern over the impact on global trade.
Anwar said that no country affected by the new reciprocal tariffs could afford to remain passive in the face of threats to its economic interests.
However, he expressed confidence that there remains room for negotiation and diplomacy.
"We must not act hastily, especially when the full scope and implications of the tariffs are still unclear.
"Therefore, it is crucial that negotiations are pursued, and our economic rights defended, to find a resolution to this uncertain global trade landscape," he said.
He also noted that Malaysia, as a trading nation, is heavily reliant on key sectors, including tourism and semiconductor exports to the United States.
