Think tank concerned about ‘secretive' US-M'sia trade talks
PETALING JAYA : A think tank has questioned the extent to which Malaysia's negotiations with the US on reducing tariffs will result in constructive outcomes, saying the talks lack openness and appear driven more by political considerations than economic rationale.
In a statement, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said the minimal change between the initial 24% tariff imposed in April and the 25% 'final' rate set out on Monday after months of negotiations reflected a lack of substantive progress in the 'secretive' trade talks.
IDEAS also called on the government to prioritise transparency in negotiations, policy consistency, and clear engagement with regional partners to protect Malaysia's long-term economic interests.
Prior to the negotiations which kicked off in May, investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the negotiators were bound by a non-disclosure agreement.
However, he said they would endeavour to brief the relevant parliamentary select committees or caucuses on the tariff talks.
In its statement, IDEAS said Malaysia must avoid being drawn into retaliatory trade barriers or a false choice between major powers, and continue to diversify and deepen partnerships with countries that share its interest in open and mutually beneficial trade.
IDEAS's deputy director of research Stewart Nixon said that as the chair of Asean this year, it was imperative that Malaysia lead accelerated efforts towards a substantive and united regional response to US tariffs.
'The underwhelming outcomes from bilateral negotiations for Malaysia and other countries reinforce the need for collective action to combat Washington's divide-and-conquer strategy,' he said
'We cannot allow fragmented engagement to weaken Asean's position on the global stage.'
On April 2, US president Donald Trump announced a 24% tariff on certain exports from Malaysia. This was paused for 90 days to enable negotiations.
The pause ended on Monday when Trump issued a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim outlining a 25% tariff on Malaysian exports from Aug 1.
Singapore and the Philippines were the only two Asean nations that did not receive a tariff notification letter from Trump on Monday. They also have the lowest tariff rates as announced in April: 10% for Singapore and 17% for the Philippines.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
33 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
The hundred-year catch — Abbi Kanthasamy
JULY 12 — I've been rooted in Malaysia since '98. Long enough to understand that everyone here, absolutely everyone, carries an opinion about him. The man who, against every global financial pundit's dire warning, pegged the ringgit. The one who effectively told the IMF to take their austerity sermons and preach them to someone else. He built highways that snaked through the land, brought forth twin towers that seemed to slice the very clouds, and conjured an entire administrative capital from what was once just a stretch of plantation. Depending on who you ask, he was a grand visionary, a ruthless pragmatist, a nation-builder, or something far more complex. But today? Today wasn't about the grand narratives. July 10 marked his hundredth birthday. There's an old saw about meeting your heroes, or your villains. The moment you do, they shed their mythic armor. They stop being convenient symbols and become, simply, painfully human. Yet there I was, walking into what amounted to history's living room, a small offering tucked under my arm: my book, No Boundaries, a rumination on the peculiar beauty of cricket. I wasn't expecting a coronation or a drum roll. What truly disarmed me was this: as I stepped inside, the hundred-year-old man, this titan of Southeast Asian politics, slowly, deliberately, rose to his feet. He offered a handshake that was firm, not fragile, his eyes meeting mine with a surprising, genuine warmth. This was a man who once stood before the United Nations and frankly scolded the West for its double standards, who navigated decades of political intrigue with the precise cunning of a chess grandmaster. And he stood up for me. A quiet, utterly unpretentious gesture from a man who, by any measure, had long since earned the right to be entirely unbothered. It was, in a word, disorienting. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali are seen during a meet and greet with the public at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya, in celebration of his 100th birthday July 10, 2025. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Before arriving, I'd cleared a small culinary detail with his son, a friend: would he be open to some appams for the celebration? 'Yes, please,' came the immediate, enthusiastic reply. 'They all adore the appams from Aliyaa.' And who wouldn't? Hot, sweet, fragrant with coconut, the kind that practically melt the moment they touch your tongue. We brought a small crew to prepare them fresh, because to serve an appam otherwise would be a minor culinary tragedy. After the exchange of the book, he flipped through its pages, his fingers tracing the images and words. Then, without a prompt, he began to spin a yarn. Not about statecraft or global economics, but about cricket. He recalled being a young man, out on the field, when a ball came hurtling towards him. Pure instinct took over. He simply extended his hand and caught it clean. The whole field, he recounted, erupted. They told him he was destined for cricket, that he possessed the reflexes of a natural athlete. He offered a light chuckle, a dry, knowing sound, noting he probably ended up a better politician in the end. He painted the scene with such vividness, I could almost conjure the echo of his teammates' laughter across the decades. I could practically feel the sun glinting off old bat handles, sense the raw, electric rush of youth coursing through veins that now pulsed slower, yes, but still thrummed with a century of memory, hard-won wisdom, and the immeasurable, often brutal, weight of leadership. In those few minutes, he managed to put me entirely at ease. Perhaps that's the quiet artistry of a formidable politician — the innate ability to forge an instant connection, to make you feel, for that fleeting moment, like you're the sole, most important person in the room. But this exchange didn't feel like a political manoeuvre. It felt, unvarnished and undeniable, human. I requested a portrait. He nodded, and again, rose, straightening slightly, a silent request to look his best. I didn't linger. Just two swift, quiet clicks of the camera. I had no desire to intrude further on his family's private moment, no wish to pierce the simple, profound peace that settled over that room — the soft murmur of conversation, the gentle clinking of plates, an old man settling back into his chair, my book about cricket resting in his hands. As I stepped back into the Kuala Lumpur night, I reflected on the man I'd just encountered. Over a century of life, he'd been branded with a multitude of labels: leader, statesman, visionary, sometimes even a controversial figure. But in that room, at that advanced age, he was none of those things. He was simply a man. A grandfather, a father, an elder. A man who, a lifetime ago, caught a cricket ball, and perhaps, in that singular, perfect second, truly believed anything was possible. And maybe, just maybe, that's the true measure of a life well-lived: not just the monumental achievements, but the enduring belief, even in the smallest of moments, that you can truly catch whatever life throws at you. And then, with quiet determination, spending a lifetime proving it. Not just to yourself, but to everyone watching. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
37 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore PM warns against billionaire-owned media, calls for trusted journalism amid digital echo chambers
SINGAPORE, July 12 — Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reportedly touted the critical role of trusted media in helping Singapore navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented information landscape. The Straits Times reported him saying the media industry must continue to inform, educate and connect society — a task that will require public trust, high-quality journalism and a clear sense of mission. 'Singapore needs trusted media that continue to present balanced perspectives, surface different points of view and hold meaningful conversations — so that we can better understand one another and develop a common understanding of the world,' he was quoted saying. Wong highlighted the growing challenge of digital echo chambers and algorithm-driven content, saying media outlets must remain unifying forces that help citizens make sense of complex issues and foster shared identity. He also addressed the pressures facing the media business model, warning against the global trend of newsrooms becoming beholden to commercial or partisan interests. 'We do not want our national newspaper to be owned by billionaires with narrow or partisan agendas,' he said. He also affirmed the Singapore government's commitment to supporting public service media, to ensure journalism remains viable, independent and accountable to the public. Wong stressed that quality journalism must be at the heart of the industry's mission, especially amid the spread of misinformation. While digital consumption is rising, he said there remains strong demand for insightful, well-crafted long-form reporting. Delivering such content consistently, he added, requires capable editorial and technical teams, and media organisations must offer purposeful careers to attract and retain young talent. Wong noted that media consumption habits are evolving rapidly, requiring news outlets to adapt formats and platforms — even if this involves disrupting existing models or cannibalising traditional products. While he believes print still has a place in Singapore, he said the industry must plan for a future where newspapers may take on different formats in terms of style, tone and length. Ultimately, Wong said the media must chart its own course — weighing opportunities, managing risks and evolving to meet the needs of a changing audience while staying true to its mission.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Home Ministry warns public of fake TikTok accounts impersonating Saifuddin Nasution offering bogus financial aid
PUTRAJAYA, July 12 — The public has been advised to remain cautious and alert to the existence of fake TikTok accounts misusing the name and image of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to deceive unsuspecting individuals. The Home Minister's Office said the fake accounts claim Saifuddin Nasution is offering financial aid through a WhatsApp link placed in the account's bio. 'This is, in fact, a scam aimed at deceiving the public into making advance payments,' it said in a statement today. The office has lodged reports with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and TikTok concerning the existence of the accounts. To date, three accounts have been blocked by TikTok, namely Saifuddin_Nasution0; Saifuddin_Nasution1 and Saifuddin_Nasution12. 'However, we do not rule out the possibility that more fake accounts will continue to be created. 'As such, we urge the public to always be cautious, not to be easily taken in, and to verify the authenticity of any information before taking action,' the statement added. The Home Minister's Office stressed that Saifuddin Nasution would never request any form of payment for assistance. 'We will also not hesitate to take legal action against any individuals involved in this scam,' it said. The office also informed that the minister's official TikTok account uses his full name: saifuddin_nasution, and can be accessed via the following link: The public is advised to refer to the official channels of the Home Minister's Office for accurate and up-to-date information. — Bernama
