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US-Malaysia

Having signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement on 10 May 2004, the US and Malaysia agreed in early 2006 to start negotiating a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. US negotiators indicated that they expected to conclude talks by the end of 2006 but that was not to be.

The Malaysian government has been putting up a fight on various issues such as government procurement (which Malaysia does not want to open to US participation) and its Bumiputra policy (giving special preferences to ethnic Malays). Social movements, on the other hand, reject the talks particularly in terms of the implications of a deal on access to medicines, intellectual property and Malaysia’s autonomy to set policies. The negotiations have stalled since 2009, and are now effectively on ice.

last update: May 2012

Photo: Third World Network


Govt in no hurry to complete FTA with US: Rafidah
The Malaysian government is in no hurry to complete the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
Industry players hold key to US-Malaysia FTA success: Rafidah
Industry players, not the Government, hold the key to the successful conclusion of the proposed US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said.
Malaysian youth movement calls for suspension of Malaysia-US FTA negotiations in support Lebanon
The Youth Movement at Malaysia’s ruling National Party have called for suspension of Malaysia US free trade negotiations for the White House’s objection to ceasefire calls in Lebanon and urged immediate trial of Israel before the ICJ for its brutal aggressions against the Lebanese and Palestinians.
Federal Express to benefit from Malaysia-US FTA
Federal Express Services (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, says it will gain from the implementation of the US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
US hails progress in latest Malaysia trade talks
The US government said Friday it had achieved "solid progress" in a second round of free-trade talks with Malaysia this week.
Rafidah: US investors adequately protected
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said Malaysia’s existing regulations on IP protection provide adequate protection for US investors, helping its negotiation on free trade agreement (FTA) with the US.
The coming free trade shock
If the popular protests that have rocked the World Trade Organisation talks in past years are any indication, there will be much public anger against the free trade agreements (FTA) that are being lined up between economic giants like the US and Japan and developing countries including Malaysia.
Local drug makers may lose out under US FTA
Malaysia’s generic drug manufacturers might find it more difficult to conduct business if the US’ negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) are influenced by the strong US pharmaceutical lobby there.
Malaysia to protect sovereign rights in any FTA talks
Malaysia will not sign any agreement that is to its disadvantage. Malaysia suspended FTA talks with New Zealand recently because it did not agree with that country’s requests in the areas of government procurement, environment, manpower and competition policy.
FMM Supports Malaysia-US FTA
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (MUSFTA) will serve as a mutually beneficial partnership agreement for further collaboration in the goods sector.

    Links


  • US-ASEAN FTA Business Council
    It aims to removing constraints on trade and investment activities in ASEAN, and elevating the importance of the U.S.-ASEAN economic relationship to American and ASEAN public policy makers and business leaders.