KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia still has one month to negotiate for lower tariffs with the United States and the 25% rate is not final yet, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the tariff issue was raised during courtesy call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“We raised the tariff issue. He (Rubio) said the letter (by Donald Trump) is general, and we still have one more month to negotiate.
“He (Rubio) is aware that Malaysia is one of the US’ key trading partners in South-East Asia and he will take this into consideration and raise our views,” Anwar told reporters after the 40-minute meeting.
On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on various countries, including 24% on Malaysia. The tariffs were paused for 90 days to allow for negotiations.
On July 9, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Malaysian products entering the US effective Aug 1.
The Prime Minister also said Malaysia will remain neutral while it seeks closer cooperation with other countries.
“While the US is an important trading partner, our relationship with China and Asean will be strengthened for the benefit of the people and the country,” he added.
The Prime Minister also raised the Gaza issue in his discussions with Rubio.
“He (Rubio) seems confident that there will be a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to Palestine and Gaza,” he said.
Rubio, who is leading the US delegation at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, arrived yesterday for his maiden trip to Asia as Washington’s top diplomat.
Today, he will join the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as well as the Asean Regional Forum.
Meanwhile, Malaysia and the United States have taken a major step forward in strengthening their comprehensive partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strategic civil nuclear cooperation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan described the agreement as a “significant milestone” that marks a new chapter in bilateral relations, particularly in the field of energy security and sustainable development.
Rubio welcomed the signing of the MOU, calling it a model for how civil nuclear cooperation can be achieved between trusted partners while upholding the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation.
