On the 7th, the Malaysian media “Sin Chew Daily” published an editorial entitled “Adjustment and Breakthrough under the US Tariff Barrier”, saying that the tariff negotiations between Malaysia and the United States are an unequal “trade breakthrough war” and many of the US demands in the negotiations are not fair. Malaysia needs to choose the “battlefield” and “partners” more wisely and strive to turn the crisis into an opportunity. The article excerpt is as follows:

Even if the tariff negotiations between Malaysia and the United States have not reached a deadlock, there has been no turnaround and no new situation. Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul, who led a delegation to the United States for inspection and held online tariff negotiations with the United States on the 6th, told the media that Malaysia will actively explore markets in countries and regions such as Russia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

Zafrul revealed that the US side proposed requirements in the trade negotiations to solve the trade deficit, ensure the security of US technology, and promote Malaysian companies to invest in the United States. From the details, “these requirements are not fair.”

The trade deficit is not a unilateral problem, but is due to the lack of competitiveness of US products (which want to export to Malaysia). “If we don’t want a trade deficit, we will be forced to import higher-priced products from the United States, but what if people don’t buy them? Should we force them to buy and sell?”

The United States also requires the security of American technology, emphasizing that American technology must not fall into the hands of “unapproved” objects. However, at a time when industrial division of labor is becoming more detailed and refined, the supply chain is widely distributed, and the US requirements will seriously affect production efficiency.

In addition, the United States requires Malaysian companies to invest in the United States in line with the needs of the US industry. The reality is that on the one hand, Malaysian companies have invested a lot in the United States; on the other hand, overseas investment must consider multiple factors such as cost, market and raw materials. “Investing for the sake of investment will eventually suffer serious losses.”

Malaysia must survive and break through the wave of US protectionism, actively adjust its strategy to new markets, create a strategic layout of “removing unilateral dependence and strengthening multilateral balance”, and reduce the risk of excessive export dependence on the United States through a balance of multiple markets.

Bahrain National reported on May 6: An official Bahrain delegation led by Bahrain’s Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of the Economic Development Board, His Excellency Noor Al Khalifa, and Minister of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Abdullah Fakhro, began a two-day visit to Malaysia. The visit, which comes shortly after a high-level visit between the leaders of the two countries, aims to promote economic and trade exchanges and practical cooperation between Bahrain and Malaysia.

During the visit, the delegation will meet with senior officials and representatives of Malaysian government agencies, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, Malaysian Minister of Investment and Trade, Minister of Enterprise and Cooperative Development, and representatives of the Investment Development Authority.

Last year, Bahrain and Malaysia celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two countries continue to strengthen cooperation by signing agreements and memorandums of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, technology, culture and science.