Former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has voiced doubts about the sustainability of US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, suggesting that the American public may soon turn against the strategy as economic repercussions mount.
In an interview granted to AFP just ahead of his upcoming 100th birthday, Dr Mahathir said it was only a matter of time before the tariffs begin to take a toll on the United States itself. He estimated that within three months, public discontent could compel a policy reversal, as the trade restrictions risk harming American interests more than achieving their intended outcomes.
Malaysia is among the countries affected by Washington’s escalating trade measures. A 24 percent tariff on Malaysian goods is set to take effect in July unless both nations reach a last-minute agreement. Mahathir, who governed Malaysia for nearly 25 years across two separate terms, implied that the US’s protectionist stance was not well thought out, describing Trump as impulsive and out of touch with current global realities.
He was particularly critical of the US president’s broader economic and immigration policies, citing widespread layoffs and bureaucratic cutbacks as measures unlikely to fulfill the promise of making America "great again." Referencing some of Trump’s more controversial ideas—such as proposing to buy Greenland or take over the Panama Canal—Mahathir remarked that these notions reflect a worldview rooted in outdated imperialist thinking.
Throughout his political career, Mahathir championed a “Look East” policy that encouraged Malaysia to seek development models within Asia. His stance on the US-China rivalry remains consistent, as he argued that Washington appears reluctant to accept Beijing’s emergence as a major global power. He maintained that China's industrial capacity and influence now rival those of Western nations and that isolating or confronting it would be futile.
As China continues to deepen ties with Southeast Asia—highlighted by President Xi Jinping’s recent tour that included Malaysia—Mahathir emphasized the importance of diplomatic balance. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s neutral stance, asserting that the country aims to maintain positive relations with both the US and China.
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