KUALA LUMPUR: Proper assessments will be carried out and MPs will be engaged before a decision is made on the ratification of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States, says Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Johari said the government's immediate priority was to defend Malaysia's trade interests before deciding on the ratification of the ART.
"Before any ratification decision is made, the government will ensure that a comprehensive, transparent and national interest-based review process is undertaken," he said in a parliamentary written reply on Tuesday (July 14).
"The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry will also conduct engagement sessions with Members of Parliament to discuss the findings of the assessment on the ART and its implications for Malaysia," he added.
"At the same time, Malaysia will continue to maintain constructive bilateral trade and investment relations with the United States while ensuring that any international commitments considered are aligned with the country's strategic interests, national development policies and the policy space required to support Malaysia's development agenda," he said.
The agreement was signed on Oct 26, 2025 during the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Johari was responding to a question by Datuk Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) on the status of the ratification and the measures taken by the government prior to it.
