Malaysia has requested the United States to grant zero tariff rates on its exports of furniture, automotive parts, and aerospace products, a senior trade ministry official confirmed on Friday.
According to the official, Washington has also agreed to consider tariff exemptions for Malaysian commodities not produced in the U.S., such as cocoa and palm oil, with a final decision expected in October. The clarification followed an earlier report by state news agency Bernama.
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The discussions come as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a fresh round of tariffs on Thursday, including a 50% duty on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities and a 30% levy on upholstered furniture.
In August, Washington had imposed a 19% tariff on Malaysian imports, intensifying pressure on bilateral trade ties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated in a Facebook post that both countries aim to conclude an agreement ahead of Trump’s planned visit to Kuala Lumpur in October for the ASEAN summit.
Image Credit: South China Morning Post
