US group fights back after Malaysian plea for tariff exemption
PETALING JAYA : A US medical supply lobby group has called on the US government to reject Malaysia's push for special tariff exemptions on rubber gloves, saying such 'carve-outs' would hurt the US job market and supply chain resilience.
The American Medical Manufacturers Association, which represents producers of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, urged the Trump administration to maintain the proposed 25% tariff on imports, including those from Malaysia, despite lobbying efforts from the Malaysian glove industry.
'There is no justification for carve-outs or special treatment when domestic manufacturers can meet the needs of our health care and frontline workers,' said AMMA executive director Eric Axel in a statement.
'This is a blatant attempt to secure non-competitive, preferential treatment for Malaysian exporters at the expense of American jobs, innovation, and supply chain security.'
This statement comes in response to a letter from the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association urging the Malaysian government to lobby Washington for exemptions, warning that higher tariffs could disrupt healthcare access and inflate costs in the US.
But Axel described the letter as fear-mongering, with a false premise that only Malaysian suppliers could ensure reliable access to quality protective equipment. 'Our US companies are ready to meet the demand—no exceptions, no excuses,' the group said.
The group alleged that Malaysia had refused to offer open market access in return, and that protected contracts for indigenous population was a 'long-standing sore point in talks.'
The association also raised concerns about Malaysia's strengthening ties with BRICS, the grouping of emerging economies. Malaysia was accepted last year as one of the 13 BRICS partner countries.
Executives with US glove companies in Malaysia agreed with the American association's views.
Donny Chan of Maxter Healthcare, which operates both in Malaysia and the US, said: 'We believe the future of manufacturing medical supplies and PPE for the USA is in the USA.' He said the company's US$350 million Texas facility was proof that global companies 'should invest in America'.
Alison Bagwell, CEO of Nephron Nitrile in South Carolina, added: 'If you want access to the US market, you play by the same rules. That means quality, transparency and accountability.'
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