KUALA LUMPUR: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz will be heading to the United States soon for negotiations on the US tariff issue.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Asean Investment Conference here on Tuesday (April 8), Tengku Zafrul said the ministry’s arm in the United States has already begun work.
“God willing, I will head to the United States soon to begin negotiations. Any negotiations must ensure that our national interest comes first,” he added.
Tengku Zafrul will also be chairing a meeting with Asean member states on April 10, where matters related to the US tariffs would be discussed.
He said Asean members will have to come to a consensus on whatever recommendations agreed on.
He also said Asean members will also decide on whether they agree with the tariffs imposed and if it is reflective of what is meant by reciprocal tariffs.
Aside from that, strengthening Asean trade would also be on the agenda.
Despite the different tariff rates imposed on Asean member states by US President Donald Trump’s administration, he said Asean member states would look at how they can work together to address common problems.
Discussions on the recent tariffs were held between a representative from the US Department of Treasury (UST) and senior officials of the Asean member states at the Asean Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting on Monday (April 7).
The Finance Ministry shared on X that the UST had shared its policy outlook and discussed the impact of the new tariff announcements on Asean.
On China President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to Malaysia, Tengku Zafrul said increasing bilateral trade and investments would be a focus of the meeting.
“Obviously on our side what is important to us is to continue to come up with ideas and recommendations that can increase trade and investment between Malaysia and China,” he said.
He said China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for many years. Investments too will be a key area of interest especially in attracting Chinese companies to the region including Malaysia.
“In fact, tomorrow (April 9) I will be discussing with my counterpart from China on a few of the things we will have to work on together,” he said.
Xi is expected to visit Malaysia as part of a Southeast Asian tour.
