KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 – Malaysia will face a 24% reciprocal tariff from the United States, effective April 9, as part of a broad trade policy overhaul impacting numerous trading partners. The US, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, citing unfair trade practices such as currency manipulation and value-added tax policies that allegedly suppress domestic US consumption while boosting foreign exports.
A baseline 10% tariff will be applied to all imports starting April 5, with higher tariffs following on April 9. Malaysia ranks 11th on the US reciprocal tariff chart, with Washington claiming that Kuala Lumpur imposes 47% tariffs on US goods, leading to the 24% tariff—half of the supposed rate Malaysia levies. The hardest-hit ASEAN nations include Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), Thailand (37%), and Indonesia (32%), while Singapore faces only the baseline 10% tariff.
The move is part of Trump’s “Make America Wealthy Again” campaign, aiming to restore US manufacturing and address trade deficits. However, experts warn that the move could escalate a global trade war, potentially disrupting international markets and increasing prices for US consumers. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent identified Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam as part of the “Dirty 15”—a group of countries with significant trade surpluses with the US.
While the European Union (20%), Japan (Unspecified), and China (34%) are also affected, Trump’s tariffs mark one of the most aggressive trade policies in modern history. The move signals a fundamental shift in US economic strategy, but its long-term impact on global trade relations and economic stability remains uncertain.
