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France 24
27-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
European leaders push Brussels for progress in trade talks with US
06:13 From the show Countries including Italy, Ireland and France want the EU to fast-track negotiations with the Trump administration to avoid US tariffs. The ASEAN group of SE Asian nations meets with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council in a bid to hedge against growing trade uncertainty. And, France makes arrests after a series of violent kidnapping aimed at extorting cryptocurrency moguls.
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Youth leaders chart a future-ready ASEAN at youth dialogue
by SHAUQI WAHAB THE fourth ASEAN Youth Dialogue 2025 brings together a dynamic cohort of youth delegates from across South-East Asia (SE Asia), each representing their nation's next generation of changemakers. These young leaders, chosen for their dedication to community development, sustainability, digital innovation and diplomacy, gathered in Kuala Lumpur (KL) to exchange ideas, share experiences and shape a collective vision for a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready ASEAN. Timor-Leste: ASEAN Membership Offers Path to Shared Growth As Timor-Leste continues its journey toward full ASEAN membership, its youth representatives are expressing strong optimism about the regional bloc's potential to support national development and entrepreneurship. Speaking during the ASEAN Summit week in KL, Timor-Leste youth delegate Francisca Freitas Sang highlighted the importance of joining ASEAN as a milestone for her nation. 'We try to put all of our efforts to be with this community, because we believe that ASEAN will help us as a new nation to become better, to develop,' she said between sessions during the dialogue. She added that Timor-Leste is prioritising infrastructure development and youth entrepreneurship as key areas to strengthen its economic foundation before full accession. Local businesses, especially those led by young people, are being empowered to achieve self-sufficiency and long-term sustainability. Timor-Leste has also received capacity-building support and technical assistance from existing ASEAN members, which she said has been crucial to national preparations. The country hopes to contribute to ASEAN in areas such as culture, eco-tourism and the globally recognised coffee industry. Reflecting on Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN chair, Sang praised the summit's organisation and said it offered valuable lessons. 'Now that I'm here, I see the reason why, and I'm so glad. I think we are still far behind Malaysia, and we can learn so much,' she added. As the only remaining SE Asian nation outside ASEAN, Timor-Leste was granted observer status in 2022 and continues to progress through the membership roadmap. Sang believed that becoming part of ASEAN is not just a political goal, but a shared aspiration to grow together with the region. Singapore Calls For ASEAN-wide Youth Partnerships on Climate and Digital Literacy Youth delegate from Singapore, Khairul Hilmi, called for stronger ASEAN youth collaboration on critical issues such as climate change, sustainability and digital literacy, highlighting the power of cross-border friendships and shared learning to shape the region's future. He said young people play a pivotal role in charting the region's path forward. 'When all these friendships develop over time, I think that's when you get good partnerships and collaborations,' he said. Representing Singapore on a regional platform, Khairul also mentioned the importance of using this opportunity to understand the diversity within ASEAN and the different societal challenges that exist. While countries like Singapore are leading in digital and financial literacy, they too are constantly adapting to emerging challenges such as misinformation and digital ethics. On environmental action, he praised the active participation of Singapore's youth through ground-up initiatives and government partnerships like youth panels focused on recycling and sustainability policy. Reflecting on his experience in Malaysia during the summit, Khairul expressed admiration for the high standards of hospitality and the relevance of the summit's theme. 'Malaysia is top class when it comes to hosting events — they walk the talk,' he said. Khairul also hoped that youth-led efforts on climate action and digital inclusivity would be further expanded across ASEAN, driven by a collective desire to do good and make tangible changes in their societies. Indonesia Champions Inclusivity and Digital Equity Indonesian delegate Ibnu Alif Daffa Gymnastiar brought a passionate voice to the regional conversation, placing a spotlight on inclusive education, equitable digital transformation and youth collaboration. A member of the Indonesian Youth Diplomacy, a prominent NGO focused on global issues, he said his mission is to ensure that knowledge regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global issues are localised and accessible to all Indonesian youth, especially those in eastern Indonesia. Coming from the easternmost part of Indonesia, Ibnu views his participation in the ASEAN Summit as a personal commitment to inclusivity and representation. 'I stand up not only for Indonesia as a whole, but also for Eastern Indonesian youth,' he said. He touched on the disparities in access to education and digital tools between the western and eastern parts of his country. The lack of digital infrastructure is a serious concern and many youths in remote areas do not even know how to use Microsoft Word. In addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation, Ibnu mentioned the need for ASEAN governments to provide tailored digital literacy programmes. 'We are the ones who decide which information from AI can be used. It is not AI that regulates us, but it is us that regulate AI,' he added. He also welcomed Malaysia's warm hosting and praised the proposal to establish the ASEAN Youth Dialogue (AYD) Alumni Network, saying it would help sustain meaningful collaborations long after the event. Through this summit, he hopes to return to Indonesia not only with renewed optimism but with a stronger mandate to advocate for policy reforms that prioritise inclusivity and youth empowerment across ASEAN. Vietnam Calls for Inclusive Education and Regional Unity Representing the voice of Vietnamese youth at the ASEAN Youth Dialogue 2025, Nguyen Nam Bao Ngoc brought forward a powerful message of unity, innovation and inclusive development. A student of international relations and international commercial law, Nam is also a central committee member of the Vietnam Youth Federation, deeply engaged in issues of youth empowerment and education. At the summit, she stressed the critical role young people must play in shaping ASEAN's future. 'Our generation holds the power to drive innovation, promote inclusive growth and safeguard sustainability in ASEAN,' she said. For her, the youths are not just participants, but architects of regional transformation. Nam highlighted education equity as a top concern, showing the need for equal learning opportunities regardless of socioeconomic background. For this, she believes regional collaboration must extend to digital innovation and sustainability, and she called for initiatives like start-up incubators, hackathons and cross-border upskilling programmes to help ASEAN youths thrive in the digital age. She also expressed support for the creation of a regional green youth fund and stronger youth inclusion in policy-making, while stressing the importance of cultural understanding. 'Peace is not the only absence of conflict, but the presence of understanding,' she added. For that to materialise, people-to-people ties among ASEAN youth are vital for long-term harmony and prosperity. With a clear voice and collaborative spirit, her vision reflects a broader aspiration among ASEAN youth: To build a region that is green, inclusive, and future-ready — together.
Malaysian Reserve
22-04-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Trump's presidency reshapes US-Malaysia ties
The US has long been one of Malaysia's key trading partners, with cooperation in trade, education, security and cultural by AUFA MARDHIAH DONALD Trump's return to the White House is already reshaping global diplomacy, with Malaysia feeling the ripple effects. His revived 'America First' agenda — now in full force — includes sweeping tariffs, hardline immigration policies, renewed withdrawal from climate commitments and a shift toward unilateral foreign policy. For Malaysia — an export-oriented economy and diplomatically neutral South-East Asian (SE Asian) nation — the shift marks a new phase in its complex relationship with Washington. The US has historically been one of Malaysia's top trading partners, with bilateral cooperation spanning trade, education, security and people-to-people ties. But under Trump's second presidency, the dynamic is being redefined — marked by uncertainty, recalibration and strategic caution. Tariffs Reintroduced, Exports at Risk Trump has wasted no time in reimposing broad-based tariffs on foreign imports — 10% across the board, and up to 245% on Chinese goods. For Malaysia — which exported RM167 billion worth of goods to the US in 2023, nearly half of it from the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector — the implications are serious. Economist Dr Geoffrey Williams said the impact of the tariffs could be significant, as the US is Malaysia's second-largest single export market. 'Half of our exports are in electrical and electronics, so this sector could be hit hardest,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). The E&E industry has long been the backbone of Malaysia's industrial output, employing hundreds of thousands across Penang, Selangor and Johor. While some companies may be able to absorb higher duties, the long-term competitiveness of Malaysian goods is at risk. Williams warned that a prolonged decline in demand could pull Malaysia's GDP toward the lower end of government projections. 'Growth in Malaysia is likely to be at the lower end of the 4.5% to 5.5% range,' he said, while noting that the impact on inflation is expected to be minimal. Despite the risks, he pointed out that Malaysia is seen as more resilient to external shocks than many of its regional peers due to strong domestic fundamentals. Still, the short-term turbulence has not gone unnoticed. Williams warned that uncertainty will likely persist in both stock and foreign exchange (forex) markets. Diplomatic Tightrope With Trump's combative trade stance already underway, economist and geostrategist Prof Azmi Hassan believes Malaysia's best strategy is to avoid drawing attention from the US administration. 'Let the status quo remain. Don't instigate Trump. Although Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, Trump does not view ASEAN as a priority — and that might actually work to our advantage,' he said. Azmi pointed to past incidents where Trump-era defence officials showed limited awareness of ASEAN affairs. 'The Secretary of Defence didn't even know what ASEAN was during confirmation hearings. 'That's a good thing. If we are off Trump's radar, we avoid punitive outcomes,' he said, referring to coverage from The Washington Post. At the same time, he argued that Malaysia should neither overtly oppose nor align with Trump's policies. 'We cannot instigate him because he will respond with penalties. But at the same time, we can push back a little if it affects our sovereignty, while offering enough praise so he doesn't view Malaysia or ASEAN as adversaries of the US,' he added. Azmi said Malaysia has so far managed to maintain neutrality in the US-China rivalry. 'We haven't demonstrated that we are more aligned to China, and we should keep it that way,' he said. The BRICS Dilemma Malaysia's engagement with BRICS — the acronym stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — particularly its interest in de-dollarisation discussions, has drawn scrutiny under Trump's administration, which views the economic bloc as a threat to US financial supremacy. According to Bloomberg, Trump has specifically linked BRICS' efforts to 'destroy the dollar' with what he calls 'hostile foreign economic warfare.' Azmi further highlighted that Trump is fully aware of BRICS' intention to move away from the greenback. 'Since Malaysia is seen as a BRICS partner, we could be perceived as complicit — and that could trigger Trump's punitive trade instinct,' he added. However, Azmi noted that internal disagreements within BRICS — particularly India's resistance to a shared currency — mean that de-dollarisation is unlikely to materialise soon. Malaysia has so far managed to maintain neutrality in the US-China rivalry, says Azmi Trade Wars on the Horizon? Trump's reimposed tariffs have already sparked debates in Beijing and Brussels, raising fears of a new global trade war. Williams had earlier predicted a broader trade war if the European Union (EU) and China responded with retaliation tariffs. 'This would be a bad policy with disastrous consequences all around,' he told TMR. He added that smaller countries such as Malaysia should avoid confrontation altogether. 'Smaller countries should cut tariffs and restrictions to reduce the reciprocal measures through negotiations,' he added. Despite the escalating rhetoric, Williams views the tariffs as part of Trump's typical negotiation tactics. 'The best strategy for all countries is to cut tariffs and trade restrictions — and bring in a new era of free trade.' He further highlighted that Malaysia's relatively low tariff structure is unlikely to significantly impact foreign direct investment (FDI) and may continue to make the country appealing to foreign investors. Williams views the tariffs as part of Trump's typical negotiation tactics (pic: TMR) Malaysia's Role in US-China Decoupling The US-China trade war, which began during Trump's first term, is now deepening under his renewed leadership. As the US attempts to sever reliance on Chinese supply chains, Malaysia's manufacturing sector could benefit — if it can maintain neutrality. Domestically, local news reports indicated that the earlier wave of decoupling saw multinational firms shift manufacturing operations to Penang, Kulim and Johor to avoid tariffs on China-based production. But Malaysia also faces risks if seen as facilitating backdoor transshipments of Chinese goods. The government has already warned against such practices, knowing full well that Trump's administration is likely to expand anti-circumvention investigations. Immigration Clampdowns, Talent Migration Separately, Trump's reinstatement of stricter immigration policies has raised concerns among Malaysian students and professionals. According to data from the US Department of Homeland Security, over 7,000 Malaysians were studying in the US last year, many in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. New visa processing delays and restrictions have made planning uncertain. Meanwhile, American work visa programmes — including H-1B and Optional Practical Training (OPT) — are being curtailed, narrowing pathways for skilled migration. While this could reduce Malaysia's brain drain, it comes at the cost of global exposure and experience. Experts warn that the country could lose out on remittances and international networking opportunities, with many students likely to redirect their academic ambitions toward the UK, Australia or Canada. Climate Cooperation Stalls In one of his earliest moves since returning to office, Trump once again withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. His administration has also scrapped several clean energy mandates and lifted restrictions on oil drilling. This policy reversal comes as Malaysia is working to position itself as a green economy leader in SE Asia. The loss of US climate leadership could weaken global pressure and reduce available funding for renewable energy (RE) projects, carbon market development and environmental cooperation. Malaysia's state oil firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) could also feel the impact. Trump's push for energy independence has triggered a surge in US oil and gas (O&G) production, putting downward pressure on global prices. This could squeeze revenue for Malaysia, whose economy remains partially reliant on petroleum exports. Still, Malaysia is unlikely to reverse its climate commitments. Policymakers remain aware of the long-term risks posed by climate change, including floods, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. South China Sea Security Ties In the area of national security, Trump's defence team has resumed freedom-of-navigation patrols in the South China Sea, taking a hardline stance against China's territorial claims. In March, the US Navy deployed two carrier strike groups to contested waters as part of its Indo-Pacific deterrence operations. Malaysia, with its own overlapping claims with Beijing, may find itself in an increasingly tense environment. While a strong US presence can help deter Chinese aggression, Malaysia prefers to manage disputes through ASEAN-led diplomacy. Azmi said Trump's limited interest in ASEAN forums may actually help Malaysia avoid direct pressure to choose sides. 'If the US isn't paying attention, we won't be pushed into uncomfortable positions,' he added. However, less engagement also means fewer security and capacity-building initiatives. Malaysia has previously benefited from American military education programmes, maritime domain awareness tools and disaster response training — all of which face budget cuts under Trump's current fiscal agenda, as reported by Washington-based Foreign Policy. Retreat of US Soft Power in Malaysia Perhaps the most immediate consequence of Trump's return is the sudden halt of US funding to civil society and media organisations. Earlier this month, BenarNews — a regional news platform supported by the US Agency for Global Media — suspended its operations after the administration withheld funding. The announcement was made on its website on April 3, citing a 'lack of operational support due to funding uncertainty.' The shutdown of BenarNews, which had reported on Malaysian politics, governance and extremism, symbolises a retreat of US soft power in South-East Asia. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia reported that Fulbright scholars and Malaysian NGOs have seen funding disruptions. The North-South Initiative lost 40% of its operational budget, affecting shelters for migrant workers. Wildlife conservation projects have also similarly been suspended due to stop-work notices tied to US government reviews. These cuts are part of a broader freeze on foreign aid and exchange programmes. For Malaysia, the loss of these partnerships means fewer opportunities for academic, environmental and civil society collaboration. With Trump back in office, Malaysia must adapt quickly. Economic diversification, diplomatic neutrality and regional cooperation will be key pillars in navigating the shifting geopolitical landscape. In this new era of transactional diplomacy, Malaysia's approach will likely remain pragmatic: Maintain open channels, avoid direct confrontation and continue strengthening ties with other global partners. As Trump reshapes global systems, smaller economies like Malaysia must walk a careful line — engaging, adapting, but not provoking. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
