KUALA LUMPUR: Rubber glove exports exceeded RM6bil between January and May this year, says Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Rubber glove exports totalled RM15.4bil last year, with 40% or RM6.1bil of the exports going to the United States.
This was followed by the European Union at 21%, Japan at 6%, and China at 4%.
The remainder was exported to more than 160 countries worldwide.
"If we look at this year’s figures, the United States remains our primary market making up 46% of our rubber glove exports.
"This shows that although we rely heavily on the United States market, Malaysia still exports to other global markets," he said in his winding up speech on the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 21).
Regarding tariffs, Malaysia faces a 19% tariff imposed by the United States, the same rate as Thailand. China faces a 55% tariff.
"In this context, we are still remaining competitive and the current conditions give us a slight advantage over our closest competitors," he said.
He added that Malaysia also controls about 40% of the rubber glove market as compared to China and Thailand.
"We also continue to remain as the first choice when people intend to buy rubber gloves, due to our quality," he said.
Malaysia faces a 19% tariff on exports to the United States, reduced from the previous 25%, under an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump.
Signed on July 31, 2025, the order amends Executive Order 14257 and imposes revised ad valorem duties on multiple trading partners, including all major Asean nations.
Under the latest tariff list, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia each face a 19% rate.
Vietnam faces a 20% tariff, while Brunei is listed at 25%. Laos and Myanmar are hit with the highest rate at 40%.
Singapore is not included in the latest round of adjustments.
