The Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry says Malaysia’s ART with the US protects national interests, ensuring talks, not unilateral actions.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) is not a blank cheque to Washington, but a safeguard to ensure future discussions and disputes are settled through negotiation rather than unilateral action, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said Malaysia stood firm during talks with the United States, stressing that the ART was negotiated to protect national interests, sovereignty, and the livelihoods of Malaysians, particularly those employed in export-oriented industries.
“The ART is not a blank cheque to the United States.
“It is a fence — a fence we build so that any subsequent actions must go through negotiation, not unilateral threats,” Zafrul told the Dewan Rakyat today.
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He said the deal, finalised after months of intense negotiations, benefits both sides and was backed by various local industry associations.
Many Malaysian exporters had warned that failure to reach an agreement could have forced them to shut down operations and lay off workers.
“MITI’s approach was guided by openness and long-term national interest.
“Our goal was to ensure business continuity for Malaysian companies, including SMEs, that depend on exports to the US,” he said.
Zafrul emphasised that Malaysia did not concede to all of Washington’s terms, particularly on sensitive issues such as Halal certification and national regulatory standards.
He also defended the efforts of MITI’s negotiation team and civil servants, saying their dedication and professionalism were critical to securing a fair outcome.
“Some have mocked our efforts.
I can accept political attacks on me, but not on our civil servants who worked through the night to defend Malaysia’s interests,” he said firmly.
Zafrul said the ART was one part of a broader government strategy to diversify Malaysia’s trade links and reduce reliance on any single market.
MITI is also strengthening existing free trade agreements (FTAs) and concluding new ones with partners such as South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Free Trade Association.
He said that the negotiation process with the US was one of the fastest and most complex in Malaysia’s trade history, given the 12-hour time difference with Washington and the urgency of resolving tariff-related issues.
“We were not negotiating an ordinary FTA that takes years.
“We negotiated while Malaysia was already under tariffs, under pressure – but we did it to protect jobs, industries, and the economy,” he said.
Zafrul also urged all members of Parliament to stand united in defending Malaysia’s economic sovereignty.
“We may compete politically, but on national interest we must be one voice — firm, respected, and dignified,” he said.
