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US tariff cut to ease pressure on Malaysia's high-tech exporters

US tariff cut to ease pressure on Malaysia's high-tech exporters

New Straits Times17 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: The reduction of the tariff imposed by the United States on Malaysian exports from 25 to 19 per cent was made possible following months of negotiations, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the previous rate had posed economic concerns, particularly for Malaysia's semiconductor and electrical and electronics (E&E) sectors, which are key contributors to exports.
"We negotiated for months because the 25 per cent tariff was too high. Alhamdulillah, it has now been reduced to 19 per cent.
"If it had remained at 25 per cent, it would have badly affected our economy, as Malaysia is a hub for semiconductors and E&E in Asia," he said.
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