Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to independent and pragmatic international relations, underscoring the country’s ability to maintain trade and investment ties with multiple global powers simultaneously.
Anwar highlighted that Malaysia’s sovereignty allows it to pursue partnerships with the US, China, Brazil, South Africa and beyond, prioritising economic growth and national well-being.
Citing the recent Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed with the US during the recently concluded 47th ASEAN Summit, he stressed that the bilateral agreement does not restrict cooperation with other nations.
He pointed to rare earth investments in Pahang and Perak, involving Australia and China respectively, as examples of Malaysia’s diversified approach.
“Malaysia is free and sovereign; our international engagements are guided by opportunities and strategic interests, not by any external pressure,” Anwar said, noting that the country continues to attract investments in high-impact sectors like semiconductors and green energy.
The ART, signed on Oct 26, lowers US tariffs on Malaysian exports from 25% to 19%, creating new avenues for trade while Malaysia simultaneously expands ties with other partners, reflecting a multi-pronged strategy to boost economic resilience and growth.
This stance aligns with Malaysia’s broader goal of strengthening bilateral ties, exemplified by Sultan Ibrahim’s historic visit to Bahrain, aimed at deepening economic and strategic cooperation in line with regional and global ambitions.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/11/08/anwar-malaysia-leverages-sovereignty-to-expand-global-economic-partnerships/

