US tariffs: Anwar urges reforms, closer ASEAN and partner ties
PUTRAJAYA (May 21): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia is prioritising domestic economic reforms before expanding partnerships through Asean, key regional players such as China, India and Pakistan, and strengthening ties with the European Union (EU) to address the impact of the United States’ tariff policy changes.
He said the EU had been quite dramatic in its decision to engage more aggressively and actively with Asean.
Anwar added that Malaysia had initiated early engagement with the US, represented by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who held initial discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the tariff issue.
The talks, he said, were positive and offered a platform to clarify Malaysia’s trade position.
