Malaysia stresses non-aligned stance in response to Trump's BRICS comments
MITI said the country's engagements with any multilateral platform are driven by trade facilitation, sustainable development and the nation's best interests instead of ideological alliances.
"Malaysia maintains an independent foreign and economic policy. Our engagement with any multilateral platform is focused on trade facilitation and sustainable development, guided by national interest, not ideological alignment," the ministry said in a statement.
MITI also underscored the longstanding and substantial economic ties between Malaysia and the United States, which it described as one of Malaysia's key economic partners.
"The US remains one of Malaysia's key economic partners, not only through trade but also through the multi-billion dollar American investments that have been established in Malaysia for more than 50 years," it added.
The response came after Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, warned that any country aligning with what he described as the "Anti-American policies" of BRICS would face an additional 10 per cent tariff.
Trump, however, did not elaborate on what policies fell under this label.
"Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10 per cent tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy," Trump declared in the post.
The original BRICS bloc — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has expanded its membership in recent years, welcoming Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates last year.
Malaysia is not a BRICS member but has participated in dialogues and cooperative initiatives involving BRICS nations in areas such as trade, energy and infrastructure development.
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