MALAYSIA'S trade discussions with the United States are progressing well, with both governments aiming to conclude a mutually beneficial tariff agreement before the current 90-day moratorium on tariff implementation comes to an end.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who led the Malaysian delegation to Washington D.C. from 18 to 20 June, held separate high-level meetings with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
Accompanied by MITI’s Chief Negotiator, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Malaysian Embassy, and other senior officials, the minister described the meetings as productive and timely.
“Both parties expressed their intent to finalise negotiations before the expiry of the tariff pause,” Tengku Zafrul said.
“We agreed to intensify efforts to reach a solution that would be mutually acceptable to all key stakeholders from both countries,” the minister said in a statement released by MITI on Sunday.
He added that Malaysia’s exports to the US continued to grow strongly, recording their eighth straight month of double-digit expansion in May 2025. The US has consistently ranked among Malaysia’s top three export destinations over the past decade.
“Much of Malaysia’s US-bound exports complement US-based industries, particularly in sectors such as electrical and electronics, semiconductors, medical devices, machinery and equipment,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul stressed that MITI remains committed to defending Malaysia’s sovereign rights and domestic economic priorities, while also supporting high-quality trade and investment partnerships globally.
The discussions also provided a platform to explore deeper bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. The minister noted that the expected outcomes would contribute to long-term benefits for Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises, help create high-income jobs and reinforce supply chain resilience.
“These negotiations will not only strengthen Malaysia’s standing as a preferred investment destination, but will also advance the goals of the MADANI economic transformation agenda towards becoming a high-tech, high-income nation,” he said. - June 22, 2025
