Malaysia Seeks Lower Tariff Rates For Key Sectors In US Talks On June 18

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is seeking lower tariff rates for selected sectors under the United States’ (US) 10 per cent minimum tariff, particularly for industries deemed critical to both economies, ahead of another round of negotiations in Washington on June 18.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku  Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the talks aim to secure fairer terms for Malaysian exporters affected by the new baseline tariff announced by the US administration.

“The US currently imposes a 24 per cent tariff on certain Malaysian exports. And of course, our first target is to reduce that rate. The second is to identify sectors that should ideally be subject to tariffs below 10 per cent. 

"We need to consider sectors that are important to Malaysian exporters and also crucial to the US economy,” he told a press conference after launching the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026–2030, here 

However, the specific sectors under negotiation were not disclosed.

In April 2025, the US government announced new tariff measures affecting more than 60 countries, including Malaysia. The implementation of these tariffs has been temporarily paused for 90 days to allow room for negotiations.

-- BERNAMA