Malaysia has reiterated its commitment to principled and pragmatic trade negotiations with the United States, standing firm on national sovereignty while signalling readiness for continued dialogue following Washington’s imposition of unilateral tariffs on Malaysian goods.
During a press conference at Menara MITI today, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the country had engaged in at least 25 consultations with US counterparts during the 90-day pause prior to the tariff announcement.
“We negotiated in good faith with considerable give-and-take but stood firm on matters of national interest,” he said, highlighting specific red lines that Malaysia would not compromise on, especially relating to security, economic sovereignty, and regulatory autonomy.
The discussions covered wide-ranging sectors, including industrial goods such as electronics, automotive components, iron and steel, medical devices, and chemicals, as well as agricultural products like poultry, meat, dairy, grains, and processed fruit. Malaysia also defended its position on non-tariff measures, including Halal certification standards.
Tengku Zafrul stressed that negotiations aimed to ensure continued export market access, modernise the economy, and protect Malaysian livelihoods. He revealed that Malaysia had aligned much of its offer with US requests in terms of market access for industrial and agricultural products.
The minister also noted Malaysia’s commitment to upholding environmental protections and labour standards in line with global expectations, and affirmed the country’s approach to digital trade would maintain secure cross-border data flows without compromising regulatory control or public interest.
Among the notable components of the broader trade package were commercial deals such as Malaysia Airlines’ confirmed purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft, with an option for 30 more, as well as proposed investments in the semiconductor and technology sectors—moves aimed at addressing trade imbalances with the US.
Tengku Zafrul said further engagements with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce would continue until 1 August to resolve remaining issues.
He concluded by underscoring that each commitment in the negotiation process was scrutinised through the lens of long-term national benefit, warning that tariffs are not the only issue—details matter. “The goal is balance and pragmatism. The devil is always in the details,” he said.
