KUALA LUMPUR: The Opposition has urged the government to clarify to Parliament the status of the Malaysia-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) after a US Supreme Court ruling resulted in the deal being nullified.
Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said a full disclosure of the ART’s termination was necessary given its economic and diplomatic implications for Malaysia, and the measures being taken to safeguard national interests.
He was responding to a statement by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani on Sunday (March 15), confirming that the ART had been nullified following the US Supreme Court decision against President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“The development raises serious questions about the status of negotiations and any commitments that may have been made by the government under the agreement,” said Takiyuddin in a statement on Monday.
He added that the situation could have implications for Malaysia’s export industries, manufacturing sector, supply chains and overall investment policy certainty.
“At a time of growing global trade uncertainty, clarity in policy direction and investor confidence in Malaysia are increasingly important,” he said.
Takiyuddin stressed that any strategic trade agreement with major implications for national trade policy, policy space and economic interests must be managed with full transparency and robust institutional scrutiny.
He said the nullification of the ART following legal developments in the US highlighted the importance of a cautious approach and thorough evaluation before Malaysia enters into international trade commitments.
He called on the government to convene a special parliamentary sitting to allow MPs to receive a full briefing and debate the implications of the development.
It said parliament must be informed of any commitments or concessions that may have been made during earlier negotiations, including matters affecting the future direction of Malaysia–United States trade relations.
He said such a step is vital to ensure transparency and accountability while enabling Parliament to scrutinise the direction of Malaysia’s trade policy and protect the country’s long-term economic interests.
He added that Perikatan would continue to closely monitor developments to ensure Malaysia’s national interests remain the top priority in the government’s trade policy decisions.
