Mustapa optimist US will not make radical changes to TPP

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Mustapa said Trump's harsh statements during the campaign are not final and may not necessarily become policies.

"A few of his statements, including regarding Islam and Mexico, have changed."

"It was frightening at first but it has softened over time. We hope this is the case," Mustapa said in response to a supplementary question from Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu).

Takiyuddin wanted to know the government's stand on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) following Trump's triumph in the presidential election.

Mustapa added that Malaysia continues to stand firm with its decision to join TPPA due to its benefits and hopes its ratification will proceed.

He said the TPPA will not succeed without US's participation as the country contributes 85 percent into the deal.

Twelve countries, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US, Vietnam and Malaysia, concluded the TPP negotiations in Atlanta on Oct 5 last year and signed the deal in Auckland on Feb 4.

If the agreement is canceled, it will affect the country's economy to a certain extent and will give access to countries which do not have trade agreements with Malaysia including Canada, Mexico and Peru.

Mustapa said he expects changes to be carried out by the new Trump administration but hopes they will not be done drastically and that US will remain its open policy.