LATEST NEWS   Selangor approves RM44.5 million for 30 flood mitigation projects in Petaling Jaya and Damansara - PM Anwar | The 10 pct tariff imposed on Malaysia by the US under Section 301 on forced labour imports is effective today onwards; MITI will continue to engage - MITI | Hobart Camp explosion probe: Grenade safety lever believed to have detached before throw was completed - Mohamed Khaled | PM, KBS receive early indication F1 may return to Sepang to replace Bahrain race - Dr Mohammed Taufiq | Govt relieved US imposes lower additional tariff on Malaysia than on many other countries - PM Anwar | 
BUSINESS • 24/07/2026 02:44 PM

Govt To Continue Tariff Talks With US Over Forced Labour Issue -- PM Anwar

PORT DICKSON, July 24 (Bernama) --  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government will continue negotiations with the United States over the new tariffs imposed on Malaysia related to the forced labour issue if the outcome remains unsatisfactory.

He said the government has taken note of the latest US announcement on the tariff rates, expressing relief that the rates imposed on Malaysia are relatively low. However, Anwar said further negotiations would continue to ensure the country's interests are protected.

"Negotiations are being continued by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry). If we do not receive a satisfactory outcome, we will raise the matter again. At the very least, we are relieved that the tariff is relatively low compared with most other countries," he told reporters after attending the “Semarak Kenegaraan”  programme at the Army Basic Training Centre (PUSASDA) here today.

Ad Banner

Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, Army Chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman, and Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

Media reports said Malaysia is among the ASEAN countries subjected to the lowest duty rate of 10 per cent under the new US Section 301 tariffs, following US findings that it had failed to effectively implement and enforce a ban on imports of goods produced using forced labour.

Besides Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia were also imposed a 10 per cent duty rate, according to a statement by US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

Ad Banner
Ad Banner
Ad Banner
Ad Banner

The USTR said the action was taken under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against 60 economies after an investigation found that they had failed to effectively implement and enforce bans on imports of goods produced using forced labour.

At the same time, the USTR said all other economies would be subject to a Section 301 duty rate of 12.5 per cent. Malaysia is also eligible to be considered for a tariff-rate quota based on imports of inputs from the United States to encourage greater use of American cotton and textile products.

-- BERNAMA

More News

Categories

Tags