Malaysia to Discuss New US Tariffs with Asean Members, MEIF calls for Regional Solidarity.

The recent imposition of US tariffs on Southeast Asian nations—including Malaysia (24%)—has prompted urgent regional discussions, with Malaysia set to chair a Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting on April 10 to address shared concerns. While the tariffs’ uneven impact across ASEAN may challenge consensus-building, Malaysia emphasizes unity to explore collaborative opportunities, such as strengthening supply chains and harmonizing trade standards.

In response, Malaysia has activated the National Geoeconomic Command Centre and established a MITI-led Task Force to assess sectoral impacts and engage stakeholders. MEIF underscores the need for long-term strategic resilience, advocating for:

• ASEAN-wide coordination on industrial standards and ESG frameworks.

• Trusted supplier networks and unified trade negotiation strategies.

• Proactive industry support, including SME engagement and resilience roadmaps.

MEIF President, Mac Ngan Boon emphasized: "This moment demands both regional solidarity and strategic vision. By strengthening ASEAN's collective position as a rules-based trading bloc, we can transform these challenges into opportunities for Malaysia's machinery and engineering sectors." MEIF stands prepared to support MITI and industry partners through this transition period.

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