PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be taking a careful and prudent approach in addressing the tariff issue imposed by the United States, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the government will be prioritising diplomatic negotiations and regional cooperation in all of its efforts.
"This approach is being implemented calmly and in a balanced manner, with the main goal of protecting the nation's interests and ensuring the continuity of economic growth," he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 7).
The tariffs were announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2, which include a sweeping 10% baseline duty on all countries and a steeper 24% levy specifically targeting Malaysian goods.
As the Asean Chair for 2025, Anwar said Malaysia is playing an active role in strengthening relations with the United States as well as other major trading partners such as China and the European Union.
"The government is also exploring new trade opportunities with rapidly developing economies like Russia and Brazil, as part of efforts to diversify the country’s export markets," he said.
Anwar added that this approach is in line with the nation’s medium-term economic strategy, which focuses on macroeconomic stability, the resilience of global trade, and increasing foreign direct investment (FDI), in order to ensure inclusive and sustainable prosperity for all citizens.
