Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US
Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.
Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz (right) leads the Malaysian delegation to discuss a trade deal with the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Photo from Facebook/Tengku Zafrul.
The country is set to begin reciprocal tariff negotiations with the U.S. on May 6, with the main objective of ensuring that no tariffs are imposed on the country, especially in key sectors, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said the negotiations will be held virtually, led by Deputy Secretary-General (trade) MITI, Mastura Ahmad Mustafa as Malaysia’s chief negotiator, alongside Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Sarah Ellerman.
He noted that the initial discussions aim to determine the scope and technical issues that need to be addressed to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.
On April 24, Tengku Zafrul led a high-level delegation to Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The meeting emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue and Malaysia’s readiness to find constructive solutions to issues raised by the U.S., including trade imbalance, non-tariff barriers, technology safeguarding, and investment-related issues.
In addition to its $25 billion trade deficit with Malaysia, the U.S. also raised concerns over several non-tariff barriers, he added.
Minister Zafrul emphasized that the Malaysian government will address tariff issues prudently and base its decisions on the realities of the situation. He reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening trade ties with other partners and affirmed that, despite the challenge posed by potential reciprocal U.S. tariffs, the government remains proactive in safeguarding the nation’s economy.
- Read More
ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021
Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing
BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7
Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties
Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.
Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters
More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.
Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7
Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo has decided to transfer 50% of the Japanese giant's equity interest in its wholly-owned operator of the $2.58 billion Van Phong 1 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa.
Energy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes
CapitaLand Development has expanded in Vietnam with two major moves - a strategic collaboration agreement with leading local developer Vinhomes and the unveiling of The Fullton, a $800 million low-rise residential project in Hung Yen province.
Real Estate - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:56 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $13.82 billion in the first four months of the year, up 39.9%, while disbursed capital reached $6.74 billion, up 7.3% and marking a record high in five years.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution
The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has ordered amendments to legal regulations to ensure that administrative measures are prioritized in handling civil and economic cases.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 12:30 pm GMT+7
EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end
The European Commission (EC) has delayed its fifth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:53 am GMT+7
Thailand lowers growth forecast for 2025
The Thai Ministry of Finance has cut its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year to 2.1% from 3%, saying that the impact of U.S. tariffs and a global slowdown would weigh on Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:49 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s top lighting manufacturer Rang Dong posts 48% drop in Q1 profit
Hanoi-based Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask JSC, a veteran in Vietnam’s consumer goods sector, reported a 48% decline in Q1 post-tax profit to nearly VND101 billion ($3.9 million), blaming intensifying competition from Chinese imports and foreign-invested enterprises.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7
Vietnam spends $1.8 bln on coal imports in Q1, mainly for power plants
Vietnam spent more than $1.8 billion importing 17.27 million tons of coal in Q1, primarily to fuel thermal power plants, according to the General Department of Customs.
Economy - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 10:24 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s utility major REE records 27% net profit growth in Q1 on power segment surge
Private utility firm REE Corporation posted strong profit growth in Q1, primarily driven by a significant improvement in its power segment compared to the same period last year.
Companies - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam to hold first round of trade talks with US on Wednesday
Vietnam will hold its first round of negotiations with the U.S. on bilateral trade Wednesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the ongoing session of the country's parliament.
Economy - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Nestlé Vietnam announces new investment in flagship coffee plant
Nestlé will make an additional investment of $75 million to expand its Nestlé Tri An plant in the southern Vietnam province of Dong Nai, bringing its total investment in the facility over 2024-2025 to $175 million.
Companies - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 4:35 pm GMT+7
Vietnam legislature’s ongoing session to mark 'historic breakthrough in institutional reform'
The National Assembly's session which opened on Monday morning will make a critical step forward in institutional reform, paving the way for a new era of modernization, digital transformation, green growth, and sustainable development, said the parliament's Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Politics - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 3:53 pm GMT+7
