PORT DICKSON: Malaysia will negotiate with the United States over aspects it finds unfavourable regarding the latest tariffs, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"For now, we will accept it although we have negotiated, beginning with then Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and now with Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani," he said.
"If there is anything we are unhappy with, we will negotiate," he told reporters after attending a national patriotism programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (Pusasda) on Friday (July 24).
Anwar said it was a relief that the tariffs were lower compared to other countries.
This comes after the US said it will impose an additional 10% tariff on nearly all Malaysian exports, citing Malaysia's failure to impose and effectively enforce a ban on imports linked to forced labour.
The tariff, which takes effect at noon today, follows a Section 301 investigation launched by the US Trade Representative in March into 60 economies over their forced labour import restrictions.
Other economies subject to the 10% tariff include Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK.
