Malaysia-U.S. trade deal provides investors with certainty, says U.S. Ambassador

In an interview with Awani International, United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan described Malaysia as one of the first two countries to secure such an arrangement with the United States, calling it an accord that provides “stability, continuity, and predictability”, the factors he said are essential to attracting investment.

“Investors crave certainty. What you’ll see in the coming months is a resurgence of investment into Malaysia. In many cases, investment in the region has been paused as the private sector waited to see greater signs of predictability.” said Kagan.

He added that both countries stand to gain, with the deal designed to promote reciprocal trade rather than perpetuate structural imbalances.

“Malaysia negotiated with great skill and secured real benefits,” he said, adding that the agreement “brings tremendous benefits to the United States” by moving both nations toward more balanced trade relations.

The trade pact, signed during the first day of the 47th ASEAN Summit, is seen as part of Washington’s broader effort to deepen economic ties in Southeast Asia amid intensifying global competition for market access and supply chain resilience.

While Kagan acknowledged that domestic scrutiny over the terms of the deal was “totally fair,” he maintained that it represents a balanced outcome that supports both Malaysia’s development goals and U.S. trade interests.

The full interview is available on demand at the Awani International website.