PORT DICKSON, July 24 - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will continue negotiating with the United States over new tariffs imposed on Malaysia with regard to forced labour if the outcome remains unsatisfactory.
He said the government has taken note of the US’ latest tariff rate announcement and expressed relief that the figures imposed on Malaysia are relatively low, but said talks would continue to ensure the country’s interests are protected.
“Negotiations are being continued by (Investment, Trade and Industry Minister) Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. If we don’t get a satisfactory outcome, we will raise the matter again. At the very least, we are relieved the tariff is relatively lower than other countries,” he told reporters after attending the Semarak Kenegaraan event at the Army Basic Training Centre (PUSASDA) here today.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Chief of Defence Forces Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, Army chief Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman, and Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.
Media reports said Malaysia is among ASEAN countries subjected to the lowest duty rate of 10 per cent under the new US Section 301 tariffs, following Washington’s findings that it had failed to effectively implement and enforce a ban on imports of goods produced using forced labour.
Besides Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia were also slapped with a 10 per cent rate, read a statement by US Trade Representative (USTR) ambassador Jamieson Greer.
USTR said all other economies would be subject to a Section 301 duty rate of 12.5 per cent. Malaysia is eligible to be considered for a tariff quota based on US input imports to encourage greater use of American cotton and textile products.
