Malaysia plans to spend up to 150 billion dollars for five years on the purchase of equipment from American companies operating in the fields of semiconductors, aerospace industries and data centers. This agreement has become part of a trade agreement with the United States aimed at reducing tariffs.
Under the terms of the transaction, the Petroliam Nasional Berhad state department will annually purchase liquefied natural gas from the United States in the amount of 3.4 billion dollars. In addition, Malaysia pledged to invest $ 70 billion in the US economy over the next five years. These steps should help reduce the deficit in the trade in goods between the two countries, which in 2024 amounted to $ 24.8 billion in favor of Malaysia.
One of the results of negotiations was a decrease in the previously planned import tariff from Malaysia – instead of 25% of the United States, the US will introduce a fee of 19% from August 8. Malaysia also provided a number of concessions: the fee by 98.4% of American goods will be canceled or reduced, some non-tariff restrictions were simplified and the requirement for American IT companies to expel part of the income to a special fund.
Malaysia has already achieved exemption from duties for pharmaceutical products and semiconductors supplied in the United States. The country’s authorities also hope for additional relief for the export of cocoa, rubber and palm oil.
However, despite the agreements reached, the Malaysian government warns that the products of the semiconductor industry may fall under additional US restrictions for national security reasons.
