Those having the warped idea of launching a boycott of Coca-Cola and Starbucks may well worth be reminded that the US is Malaysia's largest trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Malaysia.

In 2005, Malaysia-US trade was valued at US$44 billion with US imports from Malaysia standing almost US$34 billion. This imbalance, which is in Malaysia's favour, ought to be a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining and even forging good relations with the US.

American companies are also engaged in the manufacturing of semiconductors, electronic components and computer products and are also in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors which all provide Malaysians with employment.

Malaysians should also not forget the various technical training, scholarships and grants and preferential treatment for various Malaysian products provided to Malaysia by the US.

Coca-Cola, Starbucks and that all-American symbol McDonalds all provide Malaysians with employment. Further, it cannot be denied that thousands of our students, including the bumiputeras, have benefitted in the form of scholarships and grants from various American institutions without which their education in the US would have been a pipe dream.

Perhaps the groups which have launched the boycott should be mindful of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's recent advice when he ticked off Umno Youth and Khairy Jamaluddin for 'talking big' in calling for a similar boycott. 'The actions to boycott can backfire on Malaysia,' said Abdullah.

Lastly, Malaysians For Peace, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association should remember that it took only one individual, George Soros, to bring Malaysia to its knees.

Bravado and brinkmanship, naturally, have their limits.