US signs rare earth MOUs with Malaysia, Thailand. Can it hedge against China?
By Ralph Jennings in Kuala Lumpur The United States has ramped up efforts to hedge against rare earth export controls by China – the world’s dominant supplier – through agreements signed on Sunday with two Southeast Asian countries, including one that experts believe could deliver results relatively quickly. Memoranda of understanding with Malaysia and Thailand […]
Read MoreTrump signs Malaysia trade and rare earths deal
US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed a trade agreement today (26 October), boosting US access to critical minerals as China tightens controls on rare earths. Beijing this month announced sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 per cent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation. […]
Read MoreMalaysia warns ASEAN neutrality eroding as global powers compete
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian foreign minister warned his counterparts from Southeast Asia that the space for neutrality is shrinking in a region increasingly shaped by big power rivalry, as they mark US President Donald Trump’s first trip to Asia since returning to the White House. The meeting on Saturday serves as a curtain-raiser for the annual […]
Read MoreUS, China seek to avoid trade war escalation, salvage Trump–Xi meeting in Malaysia talks
Top economic officials from the United States and China ended their first day of talks in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (25 October), with a Treasury spokesperson describing them as “very constructive.” The world’s two largest economies are looking to avert an escalation of their trade war and ensure that a meeting happens next week between […]
Read MoreMalaysia to discuss sectoral tariffs with US at ASEAN summit: state media
Malaysia will hold talks with the US secretary of commerce on sectoral tariffs, including on semiconductors, during a meeting of the ASEAN regional bloc next week, Malaysian state media reported on Wednesday, citing the trade minister. President Donald Trump’s administration in August imposed a tariff of 19% on Malaysian exports to the United States, though […]
Read MoreMalaysia’s Anwar casts doubts about Gaza ceasefire deal – ‘history shows otherwise’
By Joseph Sipalan As US President Donald Trump continues to hail the peace plan to end the Israel-Gaza conflict, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged caution, saying he was not invited to the ceasefire signing ceremony in Egypt due to his concerns over the deal’s details and its durability. On Monday, Israel began releasing […]
Read MoreNew schools, hospitals and help for youth as Malaysia unveils record budget
By Joseph Sipalan and Hadi Azmi Malaysia’s government on Friday pledged to build more hospitals, upgrade airports, expand rural digital access and help youth boost their income, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled a record budget with an eye on coming state elections. Anwar’s administration plans to spend a total of 470 billion ringgit (US$111.4 […]
Read MoreMalaysia foreign minister heads to Myanmar for talks with junta on election, peace plan
Malaysia’s foreign minister will visit Myanmar on Thursday for talks with the ruling junta on its upcoming election and will push for progress on a stalled peace process, Malaysia’s government said. Mohamad Hasan will make a one-day visit to the capital Naypyitaw in Malaysia’s capacity as chair of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN and will […]
Read MoreMalaysia’s Anwar faces ‘need to win’ election in Sabah in bid to expand his base
By Joseph Sipalan Sabah’s state poll is expected to be a critical gauge of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity beyond his traditional base in the peninsula, analysts say, as the country enters the election season marked by fears over an economic slowdown, job insecurity and culture wars. Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor announced the […]
Read MorePakistan, Malaysia deepen trade cooperation with $200m halal meat deal
Pakistan and Malaysia on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade, education, technology, and governance, as Kuala Lumpur announced plans to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan. The announcement was made during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s three-day official visit to Malaysia, where he held extensive discussions with his Malaysian counterpart […]
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