Following US Tariff Slash, MITI Pushes Ahead with Reforms and Market Expansion

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 August 2025 — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has welcomed the United States Government’s decision to reduce its reciprocal tariff on Malaysian exports from 25% to 19%, effective today.

The reduction marks the conclusion of the Malaysia–United States tariff negotiations, which began on 6 May 2025 and officially wrapped up on 31 July 2025. The outcome is seen as a major step forward in reinforcing over six decades of strong bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries.

MITI described the outcome as a result of sustained engagement through multiple bilateral platforms, and highlighted that the new 19% tariff rate aligns closely with those applied to other Southeast Asian nations.

Crucially, the ministry noted that Malaysia had held firm on several non-negotiable issues during the talks. The new tariff rate was secured without compromising the country’s sovereign right to implement domestic policies aimed at socio-economic stability and national growth.

MITI Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Abdul Aziz, praised the achievement, stating: “This decision by the United States reflects the strong and enduring economic ties between our two nations. It is also a testament to Malaysia’s credibility as a reliable trade and investment partner.

“We thank our counterparts in the US, especially the US Trade Representative’s Office and the Department of Commerce, for their constructive cooperation and support throughout the negotiation process.”

The ministry emphasised that the reduced tariff underscores Malaysia’s thorough and methodical approach to trade negotiations, and positions the country more competitively in global trade.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) has been working closely with agencies like Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to estimate the impact of different tariff levels on Malaysia’s GDP.

In managing the 19% tariff impact, MITI will:

• Continue to work closely with relevant Ministries and agencies to find ways to mitigate the impact of tariffs on Malaysia’s exports;
• Encourage exporters to make full use of Malaysia’s 18 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to diversify and expand their export markets;
• Continue its industrial reform programmes – as stipulated by key policies such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, Green Investment Strategy and the National Semiconductor Strategy- to help Malaysian companies transform their operations by enhancing efficiency, embracing automation, and boosting overall productivity; and
• Explore ways on how the Government could continue to support Malaysian companies, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in adjusting to the new ‘baseline’ tariff

The global economic outlook has increasingly become more uncertain since March 2025, besieged by shifting trade policies, tariff uncertainties, and rising geopolitical tensions.

As an open, trading economy, Malaysia’s growth prospects are closely linked to these external risks. Nonetheless, MITI has repeatedly shared that Malaysia is facing these risks and headwinds from a position of strength and resilience, as domestic demand remains robust, thanks to ongoing policy support as well as industrial and economic reforms that have sustained private consumption.

 “MITI will continue to work closely with stakeholders to maximise the opportunities from this development, including the strong momentum in approved investments, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects, a consistent realisation rate of over 85% for approved investments, as well as catalytic national development initiatives.

“We remain committed to defending Malaysia’s trade interests while fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with key economies, including the United States. Malaysia will also continue to pursue its industrial reform and strategic trade diversification initiatives to support the nation’s growth,” continued Tengku Zafrul.

MITI would like to take this opportunity to thank all parties who were involved in the negotiation process, particularly the Prime Minister himself, Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister’s Office, various Ministries and Agencies, the American-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), as well as representatives from think tanks and industry.

They were instrumental in finalising Malaysia’s best offer to the US. In the coming months, MITI, the relevant Ministries and Agencies will be conducting targeted outreach programmes on the implementation of the revised tariff rate for Malaysian exports to the US market.

MITI looks forward to strengthening the bilateral trade and investment relations with the US, Malaysia’s biggest export market, valued at RM198.65 billion, as well as biggest source of foreign investments, with approved investments valued at RM32.82 billion in the year 2024.

Source — MITI