KUALA LUMPUR: American companies trading with Malaysia are impacted by the US tariffs and not the other way around, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The tariffs are imposed on American companies who have been trading with Malaysia. Based on our survey, the impact on Malaysian companies has been rather minimal,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Feb 24).
“That is why it has sparked a huge debate in the US.
“Based on information from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) as of Monday (Feb 23), Malaysian companies have not been impacted. I reiterate once again that the tariffs are for American companies trading in our country because Trump’s strategy is to force these companies to invest in the US and not overseas,” he added.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) on whether Malaysia will follow China’s steps in standing up to the US.
“It is clear that China is the biggest winner for taking the approach of standing up to the bully that is Donald Trump.
“Will Malaysia take the same approach as the agreement lacks clarity and has been established as illegal?,” he said.
He also asked on the losses that stemmed from the agreement and if Malaysia would ask for refunds of tariffs from the World Trade Organisation or directly from the US.
