MITI appoints deputy sec-gen as chief negotiator for U.S. tariff talks

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) has appointed its deputy secretary-general (trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, one of its most experienced senior civil servants, as Malaysia's chief negotiator for the upcoming formal tariff negotiations with the United States (US).

Its minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the US has also named one of its assistant United States trade representatives (USTR) to lead the talks, with both sides agreeing to begin discussions after Malaysia's Cabinet gives the green light.

"We are now waiting for Cabinet approval before proceeding.... The US side has agreed to engage, and both the USTR and Secretary of Commerce want to take this forward," he told reporters during MITI's open house here today.

Tengku Zafrul said among the key focus areas are reducing tariffs, addressing non-tariff barriers — particularly in agriculture —and Malaysia's trade surplus with the US, which currently stands at US$25 billion (US$1=RM4.34).

"On tariffs, we aim to reduce them -- not necessarily to zero, but to a level that benefits both sides -- while for non-tariff barriers, we are identifying fair areas to consider for easing.

"As for the trade imbalance, we have already reduced it by almost half over the last four years, from over US$40 billion to US$25 billion," he added.

-- BERNAMA