COMMENT | The agreement between the United States and Malaysia on “reciprocal trade” signed by the two heads of government in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 26 is undoubtedly the worst agreement that independent Malaya/Malaysia has entered into since Merdeka.

This is whether one considers from the legal perspective or the political, economic, or geo-strategic viewpoint.

Before its heavy lopsidedness in favour of the US is discussed, a brief historical survey of US/Malaysia relations is warranted.

There have been 14 US administrations headed by 13 presidents between 1957 and 2025. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy pressed our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, to join the US-led alliance, Seato, to assist the US in its Cold War activities in South East Asia.

Tunku declined. Despite president Lyndon Johnson visiting Kuala Lumpur in 1965, Tunku refused to support the US in the Vietnam War.

Until the Anwar Ibrahim administration took office...