Malaysia PM Prioritizes Global Trade Over Waiting on U.S. Tariffs

Malaysia is proactively strengthening trade relations with China, Russia, and Brazil to mitigate potential risks from U.S. tariffs, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on Tuesday. Speaking in parliament, Anwar emphasized that waiting for U.S. trade policies to unfold could harm Malaysia’s economy.

Uncertainty looms as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 30-day tariff pause for Canada and Mexico, while tariffs on China remain on track. Anwar stressed that Malaysia must navigate these geopolitical challenges carefully and avoid rushed countermeasures.

"On our part, we must take proactive steps… to aggressively open a wider network of trading partners," he said, highlighting Malaysia’s commitment to economic resilience.

By forging stronger international trade partnerships, Malaysia aims to reduce dependence on any single market and shield itself from global trade disruptions.