Ongoing tariff negotiations with US are excellent, says PM

Ongoing negotiations with the US over its unilateral tariffs are excellent, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said this was conveyed by Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who are leading the talks in Washington DC.

“This morning, I received a message from the Miti Minister and the Finance Minister II, that the meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce have been excellent.

“We always emphasised the need to secure what is fair for Malaysians and always represent the case for Asean,” said Anwar in his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable in KL.

“I have also urged my colleagues in Asean to do likewise, present bilateral positions and emphasise the need for Asean to remain as a cohesive force,” added Anwar.

Tengku Zafrul and Amir flew to Washington DC on June 18 to continue negotiations over the US tariffs imposed on Malaysian goods.

It was previously reported that Tengku Zafrul was scheduled to meet US trade representative Jamieson Greer and other officials, investors, and business groups including the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce.

Malaysia faces a 24% tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides can reach an agreement before the 90-day pause ends on July 8