Trump sends letter to PM, Agong, imposes 25pct tariff on all M'sian products

The United States has imposed a higher tariff of 25 percent on any and all Malaysian products sent into the country, separate from all sectoral tariffs, effective Aug 1 this year.

This is one percentage point higher compared to what had been announced in April.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong posted on his Truth Social account on Monday, US President Donald Trump said: “The 25 percent number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with your country.”

However, the letter also said that there would be no tariff if Malaysia, or Malaysian companies, decide to build or manufacture products within the US and that Washington “will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely - in other words, in a matter of weeks”.

Trump also warned that if Malaysia decided to raise tariffs, the number that the country imposed would be added to the 25 percent that the US is charging.

READ MORE: Additional 10pct tariff for nations aligning with Brics' 'anti-American policies'

Malaysia has been negotiating the US tariff with Washington since April, with the aim to lessen the 24 percent tariff imposed earlier, with the latest talks held on June 18 this year.

This announcement came ahead of the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first trip to Kuala Lumpur for the Asean-US post-ministerial conference and other meetings of the 58th Asean foreign ministers meeting and related meetings starting today.

- Bernama

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