Kuala Lumpur: The United States government has agreed to further talks with Malaysia concerning the unexpected US reciprocal tariff imposed on imports from the Southeast Asian nation, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Although these discussions are presently in their initial stages, there is potential for the US to reduce the 24 percent reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized that the process is still in its early phases, with no agreements finalized between the two nations. He reiterated that neither Malaysia nor the US has made any definitive commitments at this point. During a special meeting in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar stated that ongoing discussions are under a non-disclosure agreement, aligning with international practices when dealing with issues of strategic interest and sensitivity.

Anwar further mentioned that any policy recommendations requiring approval will undergo a comprehensive review process, which includes evaluation at the Cabinet level and, if necessary, presentation in Parliament. This approach ensures thorough scrutiny and alignment with national interests before any decisions are made.

On April 24, a delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz traveled to Washington, DC. The delegation engaged in a high-level meeting with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss the tariff issue. During this meeting, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the significance of ongoing discussions and expressed Malaysia’s willingness to explore constructive solutions to address US concerns.