An opposition Member of Parliament has called on the government to explain why its tariff negotiations with the United States failed, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Malaysian goods, effective August 1.
In a Facebook post, Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan said that the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)’s objective in engaging with Washington should have been to secure a reduction in the tariff rate.
However, the 25% tariff announced by President Trump today is even higher than the previous 24% rate.
“This clearly indicates that the government has failed to meet the expectations of the rakyat regarding the US tariffs. It also reflects the failure of the minister in charge to safeguard the nation’s interests,” he said, in a pointed remark directed at MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.
Wan Saiful, who is also a member of Bersatu’s Supreme Council, added that this development suggests the public funds used to send Malaysian delegations to negotiate with the US were ultimately wasted.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Trump stated that the 25% tariff on Malaysian goods was “far less” than what was required to eliminate the US trade deficit with Malaysia.
He further warned that any attempt to reroute goods through third countries to evade the higher tariffs would be met with increased penalty rates.
MITI, in response, said it will continue discussions with its US counterparts and reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to pursuing a “balanced” and “mutually beneficial” trade agreement with the United States.
The tariff negotiations with Washington from May 28 to 30 were led by MITI Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa.
MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul later led a follow-up delegation and claimed that discussions with the US Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce had made “good progress.”
