KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has urged Malaysia and the United States to focus on expanding mutual economic opportunities instead of engaging in disputes, highlighting the long-standing and respectful partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the Asean Leadership Forum in Washington, DC, he noted that American companies have prospered in Malaysia for decades, with Intel operating since 1971, and called for mechanisms that allow both countries to benefit from integration into global supply chains. He emphasised the importance of “growing the cake” rather than debating how to divide it, saying such an approach yields greater value.
On Malaysia’s stance regarding the 24 per cent reciprocal tariffs, Amir Hamzah confirmed that initial discussions with the US have begun positively and acknowledged that forming bilateral agreements takes time. He reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to engage on key areas including trade deficits, non-tariff barriers, and a potential bilateral trade agreement.
