PETALING JAYA: An academic has cautioned that the US trade agreement appears “somewhat asymmetrical” – favouring the US in terms of immediate benefits.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysian and International Studies senior lecturer Dr Muhammad Faliq Abd Razak said although the agreement strengthens bilateral ties, Malaysia’s gains will depend on how effectively its firms can leverage the new opportunities.
“The US gains clearer access to Malaysia’s goods and services market, while Malaysia’s benefits hinge on how effectively firms can utilise the new openings. It’s more about strategic positioning.”
He said expanded market access does not guarantee growth, stressing that Malaysian exporters must meet US’ stringent requirements on sustainability, certification and regulatory compliance.
He said high-value industries such as electronics, medical devices and digital services are best positioned to benefit from the deal, as they already operate at or near international standards. However, traditional or resource-based sectors may struggle to adapt to tighter cost and regulatory frameworks.
He also highlighted potential trade-offs, pointing out that past US trade agreements often came with tougher expectations on data governance, labour standards and intellectual property protection.
“The key is maintaining regulatory coherence so Malaysia preserves policy flexibility while aligning with global practices. The real test is ensuring the deal complements Malaysia’s wider commitments under Asean, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”
