Miti appoints its deputy sec-gen as chief negotiator for US tariff talks

Malaysia will appoint a deputy secretary-general from the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry as its chief negotiator for upcoming trade talks with the United States, announced Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Following productive discussions with US officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, both nations agreed to negotiate rather than impose retaliatory tariffs.

Deputy sec-gen

Talks, set to begin after signing a non-disclosure agreement, will focus on reducing tariffs, easing non-tariff barriers (especially in agriculture), addressing the US$25 billion trade surplus, and enhancing economic security, particularly in semiconductors and intellectual property. Malaysia’s role in global supply chains was acknowledged, aiming for a win-win solution.

Malaysia’s Efforts to Avert Tariffs: Malaysia is proactively engaging the US through high-level dialogues, led by Tengku Zafrul, to negotiate tariff reductions and address non-tariff barriers. By leveraging its ASEAN chairmanship and diversified trade networks, Malaysia seeks balanced trade terms, avoiding retaliation to maintain strong bilateral economic ties.

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