DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook said today that Malaysia is entering a phase of strategic resurgence under the leadership of the Madani Government, following the successful reduction of US tariffs on Malaysian products from 25% to 19%.
Loke stated in a statement that this progress was achieved through Malaysia’s pragmatic diplomatic approach, avoiding retaliatory tariffs while keeping diplomatic channels open amidst rising global economic uncertainty and trade protectionism.
The tariff reduction was announced after a 20-minute phone call between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump on July 31.
“This marks a de-escalation from the earlier tariff tensions and reflects a more balanced negotiation outcome,” Loke added.
Loke noted that Malaysia’s current tariff level is now comparable to other countries in the region. Despite a higher trade surplus with the US than some regional peers, Malaysia remains competitively positioned.
ASEAN Leadership Recognized
As the 2025 ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has successfully brokered peace negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia. President Trump has also confirmed his attendance at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
“These developments reflect growing recognition of Malaysia’s leadership role within ASEAN and regional diplomacy,” said Loke.
Anwar’s Diplomatic Credibility Highlighted
Loke emphasized Prime Minister Anwar’s ability to project Malaysia as a trusted partner in regional security matters, through a patient, pragmatic, and constructive approach.
“This has revitalized ASEAN’s principle of solving regional problems in regional ways,” he said.
Loke concluded that the Madani Government’s recent achievements clearly reflect a steady and forward-looking governance direction, aiming to position Malaysia as a credible middle power with growing regional influence.
