Photo: AZMAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States sees Malaysia as a key partner even as South-East Asia navigates growing engagement with China, citing the country's focused and professional approach to advancing bilateral trade talks, says US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan (pic).
He said Washington does not see growing ties with China as a threat to its own relationships in the region and that South-East Asian countries should not be forced to choose sides.
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"I would challenge the assertion that the region is moving closer to Beijing.
"Countries in this region have long had strong ties with both the United States and China. We don't view those ties as mutually exclusive," he said during a press conference at his official residence here on Friday (June 13).
Kagan was responding to a question about regional realignment in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia in April.
He said the United States respects the sovereign decisions of its partners and recognises that countries may engage with multiple powers based on their national interests.
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He added that the United States remains a significant contributor to Malaysia's development, particularly through trade and investment.
American companies, he said, continue to play a vital role in the local economy and exports to the United States remain crucial for Malaysia.
Kagan also emphasised that Washington is committed to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Malaysia, especially through trade cooperation.
"We believe that the key is to strengthen our bilateral relationship between the United States and Malaysia," he said.
He then highlighted the US government's appreciation for Malaysia's conduct in recent trade discussions, describing the country's negotiating team as professional and well prepared.
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"I've been very impressed with the seriousness with which Malaysia has approached the trade negotiations with the United States.
"These are tough issues but the professionalism of the negotiating team and the government's commitment to reaching an agreement that facilitates trade – including greater access to Malaysian markets for American products and services – is very impressive," he said.
This comes as both countries continue working-level discussions to enhance market access and remove trade barriers.
The broader US-Malaysia trade relationship has faced pressure since 2018, when President Donald Trump's first administration imposed sweeping tariffs on steel, aluminium and other imports under national security provisions.
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Those measures, which disrupted global supply chains and raised costs for exporters in the region, including Malaysia, have continued under his current term with further tariff actions.
Nevertheless, Kagan expressed optimism about current efforts to rebuild momentum, adding that the two governments are approaching the process in good faith.
"There's a lot we can do together. I'm confident the relationship is strong and that it can be made even stronger," he said.
Kagan also voiced support for Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025, calling it an opportunity to promote inclusive and balanced regional growth.
