KUALA LUMPUR: The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) only enters into force after Malaysia and the United States exchange written notices pursuant to Article 7.2 of the ART, says the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
According to the Ministry, the exchange of written notices was to confirm that all internal ratification processes had been completed and both countries were ready to implement the ART.
“Once the notification exchange process is complete, the ART will come into effect within 60 days or on another date mutually agreed upon by both parties,” it said in a wrtitten reply on Parliament's website Wednesday (Feb 4) to a question from Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh), who sought an explanation regarding the statement that the ART with the US cannot be withdrawn but the government would examine and renegotiate certain clauses deemed unfair.
On Jan 20, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the ART, signed on Oct 26, 2025 during the 47th Asean Summit, had yet to be implemented as the government was still in the negotiation stage and wanted clear written assurances.
MITI said the government was conducting a comprehensive assessment of the ART’s clauses to ensure implementation of the agreed commitments was subject to the Federal Constitution and national development policies, domestic legislation and Malaysia’s commitments in various international forums, including free trade agreements. – Bernama
