Not all digital, tech trade aspects during US tariff talks agreeable to M'sia: Zafrul

PARLIAMENT | Malaysia has not agreed to all requests from the United States involving digital trade and technology in the two countries’ countervailing trade tariff negotiations, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said Malaysia stands firm in maintaining the policy that public service providers and social media platforms are still subject to criminal liability under Malaysian law.

Zafrul said the Malaysian government also has the right to request access to or order companies to transfer the source code of software used in critical infrastructure, government procurement and the financial services sector, licensing and judicial matters.

“Malaysia emphasises the government’s transparent and balanced commitment in two aspects. The first aspect is the commitment to protect companies’ intellectual property from forced technology transfer, promote innovation and ensure fair competition in the international market.

“The second aspect is to preserve the country’s sovereignty, security and economic stability,” he said at a ministerial briefing on the reciprocal trade negotiations with the US at the Dewan Rakyat today.

On Aug 1, the new tariff rate for Malaysia was announced at 19 percent, a six percent decrease from the rate announced on July 7, 2025.

- Bernama

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