Anwar Opposes US Tariff Plan: “We Must Weather This Storm”

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 24 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his opposition to US President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on trade partners and competitors.

He stated that while the West has long promoted free trade, the US suddenly decided to impose tariffs just as emerging economies began to establish themselves.

“Therefore, in principle, I oppose such actions, but we must weather this storm,” Anwar said in an interview with TRT World, the international channel of Turkey’s national broadcaster.

Bilateral Relations with US, China Encouraged

Addressing the potential trade war and Trump’s tariff threats, Anwar encouraged Malaysia and ASEAN nations to maintain strong bilateral ties with both the US and China. He also emphasized that other countries, such as the European Union, India, and Australia, remain important trade allies for Malaysia.

“That’s why we are seeking to expand our trade base. This is also why we applied to join BRICS, to position ourselves as an effective trading nation,” he explained.

Trump’s Return and Its Impact on Malaysia

When asked about the potential impact of Trump returning to the White House, Anwar noted that the global situation remains uncertain, predicting some “minor disruptions” in global affairs.

He added that Trump’s recent protectionist rhetoric indicates a focus solely on US interests.

“However, I believe this will stabilize in the coming months because most of his colleagues and advisers are experienced in international and corporate sectors, and they are aware of both US and overseas interests,” Anwar said.

He further noted that any policy deemed unfavorable to free trade would have widespread repercussions, affecting regions like ASEAN and even the US itself.

Trump’s Tariff Plan

According to The New York Times, Trump recently announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from neighboring Canada and Mexico, a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, and vowed to impose tariffs on imports from the European Union starting February 1.

Anwar concluded that such measures could impact multiple regions, urging Malaysia to remain resilient and adaptive to the shifting global trade landscape.