MITI MINISTER’S DISCUSSIONS WITH US SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE ON RECIPROCAL TARIFF: ALL LINES OF COMMUNICATION REMAIN OPEN FOR MALAYSIA
Malaysia stands ready to continue collaborating with the United States (US) to reach mutually agreeable solutions regarding the reciprocal tariff matter announced by the President Trump’s administration.
To that end, the Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, led a delegation to meet and engage with the US Secretary of Commerce, H.E. Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, H.E. Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on 24 April 2025, to discuss on the reciprocal tariff imposed by the US on Malaysia.
Malaysia expressed its openness to negotiate on four key areas:
I. reducing the trade deficit;
ii. addressing non-tariff barriers;
iii. strengthening technological safeguards and security; and
iv. exploring a potential bilateral trade agreement.
Malaysia is encouraged by the recent 90-day pause on the proposed tariff measures and view it as a window of opportunity for constructive engagement. Malaysia has publicly stated that it will not take retaliatory action against the US but stands ready to collaborate on mutually agreeable outcomes to the concerns raised by President Donald Trump Administration.
In both the meetings, MITI stressed that the US has long been, and will continue to be, one of Malaysia’s most important and strategic economic partners. Over the decades, American companies have made significant contributions to the Malaysian economy, and this relationship has delivered tangible benefits to businesses and workers on both sides.
MITI also highlighted the strong bilateral trade performance for the last 10 years which has become more balanced, particularly as the trade deficit recorded by the US has shown a downward trend, reflecting beneficial changes in bilateral trade. Therefore, Malaysia will seek to explore alternative ways to addressing the US’s concerns, while ensuring that the mutually beneficial trade flows between Malaysia and the US will continue.
Tengku Zafrul said “These first meetings with the US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer are a step in the right direction. We will continue to keep the momentum by following up urgently on some of the key issues discussed within the 90-day period since the pause started. Malaysia also stressed that all communications line remain open, and we will continue to work towards an amicable solution to this reciprocal tariff matter.”
Additionally, discussions also centred on how the US can work more closely with ASEAN, especially in view of Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, which is a timely opportunity to advance shared goals and regional stability.
