Malaysia Awaits US Clarity on Reciprocal Trade Agreement

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not received any official notification from the United States regarding the Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), following the US Supreme Court’s decision to cancel most of the global tariffs imposed under former President Donald Trump.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Washington will conduct a five-month review to determine new tariff rates. “There is none (official notification from the US government on the null and void status of ART). They (US) said that the court (US Supreme Court) said the agreement is null and void,” he explained.

US Clarity

Johari added that during this period, the US will investigate tariff structures across 60 countries before presenting proposals for discussion. “Later when they (US) have the findings, they will give us a proposal. So let’s take it and discuss what the conditions are,” he said.

He was speaking after launching the Kampung Angkat Madani programme in Kampung Datuk Keramat.

On Perikatan Nasional’s call for a comprehensive explanation, Johari stressed that the US court’s decision should be referred to directly, noting that Malaysia has not received any formal letter. Currently, Malaysia faces a global tariff of 10%, compared to the expected 19% under the cancelled deal.