Malaysia-US tariff talks went well, says PM Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that discussions between Malaysia and the United States regarding the imposition of unilateral tariffs are progressing smoothly. The bilateral negotiations come at a critical juncture for supply chain management, with Malaysia currently facing a 24% tariff on selected exports set to resume after July 8, following a temporary 90-day suspension.

Speaking at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable: Recalibrating Asia’s Frontiers, Anwar revealed that both Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, currently in Washington D.C., reported positive outcomes from their high-level meeting with the US Secretary of Commerce.

“Their meeting went excellently, and it reflects our consistent position that international trade should be guided by legal predictability, not unilateralism or coercion,” Anwar said during his keynote address.

As trade discussions continue, Malaysia is emphasizing the need for stable and transparent trade frameworks that support supply chain demand planning and prevent disruptions across critical industries.

Tengku Zafrul, who arrived in the US on Tuesday, is leading talks to negotiate improved market access while addressing supply chain-related challenges that have impacted key sectors such as electronics and manufacturing.

The negotiations align with Malaysia’s broader goals to strengthen electronic supply chain management and accelerate its supply chain management development program, focusing on digital supply chain integration and future supply chain tracking technologies.

Experts highlight that global supply chain management (SCM) is at a turning point, with countries like Malaysia and India investing in SCM innovations and digital infrastructure to boost economic resilience.

Anwar also called on ASEAN member states to adopt similar principles of fairness and strategic planning in trade negotiations. With the upcoming Supply Chain Leadership Summit and Best Supply Chain Events in India drawing regional attention, Malaysia aims to position itself as a model for sustainable and tech-enabled supply and chain management.