KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has provided clarification to China regarding its trade agreement with the United States, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister explained that nothing in the US agreement prevents Malaysia from continuing its cooperation with China.
"I don’t think we should exaggerate. There was some clarification (needed), and we have given it," he told reporters after launching Perodua’s first battery electric vehicle, the QV-E, at Menara Miti here on Monday (Dec 1).
Anwar added that he had personally explained the details during his recent bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
"Nothing in the agreement bars us from continuing our collaboration with China," he said, reaffirming Putrajaya’s commitment to maintaining strong economic ties with Beijing.
On Friday (Nov 28), China complained to Malaysia and Cambodia about the trade deals they signed with the United States last month, underscoring the delicate balance countries must strike in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
Beijing had "grave concerns" with certain portions of the US-Malaysia trade deal, Chinese Ministry of Commerce officials said in a meeting with Malaysia earlier last week.
"We hope Malaysia will fully consider and properly handle this matter in light of its long-term national interests," they said.
Malaysia and the United States signed the reciprocal trade deal on Oct 26.
The United States, Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, agreed to keep tariffs on Malaysian goods at 19%.
In return, Malaysia agreed to remove or reduce tariffs on selected US goods.
The deal was signed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur during the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
