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Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks ‘going excellent', urges fair deal for Asean too
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 By: Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan, Malay Mail Text Size: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during Malaysia Asia-Pacific Roundtable by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia at Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur June 19, 2025. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that Putrajaya's ongoing negotiations with Washington over unilateral tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump are 'going excellent'. He said two ministers — Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan — held talks with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick yesterday to advance the tariff negotiations. Advertisement 'I said to them to secure what is fair for Malaysia but also present the case that is best for Asean too,' he said, during his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) at Hilton KL, here, today. Malaysia currently faces a 24 per cent tariff on all goods entering the US, and is seeking to lower the rate to the 10 per cent baseline tariff. Anwar acknowledged the economic strain caused by the tariffs but stressed that Malaysia's bilateral relations with the US remain strong. 'Some of our differences in foreign policies cannot be too exaggerated because our bilateral relations with the US remains strong,' he said. Anwar added that Asean is working to upgrade trade agreements with member states and dialogue partners, as the US tariffs continue to cast a shadow over the region. He also said he was confident that the conclusion of the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (Defa) will help unlock the potential of the region's digital economy. The agreement is to be the world's first region-wide and legally binding agreement on digital economy governance. 'In the face of rising protectionism, we must remind ourselves that trade is not a sideshow to security — it is part of the scaffolding that holds the region together,' he said. 'When trade falters, fractures follow.' Anwar also defended Asean leaders' engagement with the BRICS bloc, saying it should not be seen as an anti-Western move but rather a means to tackle shared challenges. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 'The recent reinvigoration of BRICS to include members and partner countries from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and South America, is the very essence of bridging regions,' he said. 'It is an opportunity to build new partnerships and renew old ones,' he added. Malaysia formally applied to join BRICS in July 2024 and was admitted as a partner country in October. Indonesia and Thailand are also partner countries in the alliance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: A greener, resilient Asean key to people-centred growth
KUALA LUMPUR: A truly people-centred Asean can only be realised through the development of a greener and more resilient region, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who also chairs Asean this year, stressed that beyond its economic potential, sustainable development was now an urgent priority due to the growing impact of climate change on people's livelihoods. He said the resounding success of the recent Asean–GCC–China Summit demonstrated not only Asean's convening power but also the bloc's strong focus on leveraging economic synergies and building institutional cooperation. "The conclusion of the Digital Economic Framework Agreement will unlock the vast potential of the region's digital economy. "More importantly, enhanced intra-regional connectivity will create greater opportunities for local businesses to expand their reach across the region. "As the world transitions towards a greener and more sustainable economy, Asean must adapt and seize emerging opportunities and partnerships. We are intensifying our efforts in energy transition and better practices, including the development of sustainable investment guidelines and advancing the Asean Power Grid," he said in his speech at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable. Anwar said that during the recent Asean meeting, leaders reached a breakthrough in progressing the Asean Power Grid — describing it as a phenomenal achievement for regional cooperation. Looking ahead, he said Asean was working to upgrade existing trade agreements among member states and dialogue partners. "Our strength lies in our ability to maintain peace and foster understanding. However, our weakness has long been the lack of intra-Asean trade and joint investments — a shortcoming which is now a key focus for Asean leaders, especially in the current climate of rising protectionism. "We must remind ourselves that trade is not a sideshow to security; it is part of the scaffolding that holds our region together. When trade falters, fractures follow," he said. Anwar added that Asean must confront hard truths about its regional structure and renew its commitment to shared responsibilities — with an emphasis on moving beyond rhetoric to real cooperation. "We will continue to place our trust in Asean's founding principles and its enduring promise. But we must go further — and strengthen our collective resolve," he said.
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Commits To ASEAN Integration To Bring About Resilient Regional Economy
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is working actively towards upgrading existing trade agreements with ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, reinforcing its commitment to a more integrated and resilient regional economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said ASEAN has laid a solid foundation that has 'guided us through disputes and crises, be it sovereignty and border issues, the scourge of pandemics, or climate disasters.' 'It has anchored our economic integration through initiatives like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and in the future, the Digital Economic Framework Agreement. We will continue to place our trust in ASEAN's founding principles and its enduring potential. But we must go further in strengthening our collective resolve,' he said in his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable: Recalibrating Asia's Frontiers here today. He said that as an agent of change, Malaysia as the ASEAN chair, must not only reflect ASEAN's values, 'we must attempt to shape them.' Anwar stressed the need to 'confront the hard truths about our regional architecture, renew our commitment to shared responsibilities, and strengthen cooperation beyond just rhetoric. 'We are preparing for a world wrought with challenges, and must enhance regional integration, develop additional economic ties and tap future catalysts of growth, including digital transformation, the exponential surge of artificial intelligence, and energy transition,' he said. Addressing concerns over rising protectionism, Anwar noted that trade is fundamental to regional security. 'Trade is not a peripheral issue, it is a pillar of regional stability. When trade weakens, divisions emerge.' He highlighted the recent ASEAN-GCC-China Summit as a clear example of ASEAN's convening strength and its commitment to harnessing economic synergies and fostering institutional collaboration. Anwar said the conclusion of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) will unlock the vast potential of the regional digital economy and more importantly, greater intra-regional connectivity will create new opportunities for local businesses to expand their footprint across the region.'
