Kuala lumpur: Exports to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries increased from January to September 2025 despite uncertain global trade conditions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) reported that exports to CPTPP member countries rose by 3.6 per cent to RM362.51 billion for the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The growth was driven by a 7.5 per cent increase in exports of palm oil and palm-based products to RM7.35 billion, and a significant 19.3 per cent rise in exports of electrical and electronics (E and E) products to RM157.02 billion.
MITI highlighted that while exports of petroleum and petroleum products fell by 25 per cent to RM37.57 billion, this decline was not specific to CPTPP member countries. It reflected a broader contraction due to maintenance activities at oil and gas wells in Malaysia and a reduction in international crude oil prices throughout 2025. The ministry was responding to inquiries from Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PN-KEMAMAN) regarding the impact of free trade agreements, particularly RCEP and CPTPP, on Malaysia’s major exports.
Meanwhile, exports to RCEP member countries for the same period showed a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent to RM612.01 billion. Notably, exports of palm oil and palm-based products rose by 6.2 per cent to RM15.37 billion, and E and E exports increased by 13.5 per cent to RM227.58 billion. However, exports of petroleum and petroleum products contracted by 19.7 per cent to RM64.25 billion, aligning with the overall decline in the country’s petroleum exports.
According to MITI, the increase in Malaysian exports to both CPTPP and RCEP member countries highlights the country’s export resilience amid global trade uncertainties. The ministry emphasized the importance of securing market access and trade facilities through these FTAs, which have created alternative markets to diversify Malaysia’s export opportunities. Integrated market access among ASEAN countries and dialogue partners under the RCEP, along with trading networks with CPTPP members such as Canada, Mexico, and Peru, have facilitated this diversification.
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and the United States, Malaysia’s largest export market, recorded RM325 billion in 2024, with Malaysian exports valued at RM198.65 billion. MITI noted that the government has taken steps to strengthen trade relations with the US through the Agreement of Reciprocal Trade (ART), recognizing the potential negative impact of high tariffs on the country’s exports. High reciprocal tariffs could adversely affect Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem and regional and international supply chains.