- Negotiations
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
13-Jun-2006
The United States and Malaysia began a first round of talks Monday to forge a bilateral free trade agreement they hope will be concluded by early next year.
13-Jun-2006
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Malaysia and the United States, which kicked off yesterday (12 June 2006) on the island of Penang, were wrapped in secrecy even though the issues to be discussed have far-reaching implications for Malaysian citizens and Malaysia as a sovereign nation. Mind you, all this is unfolding within the larger context of the din, frenzy and exhilaration of the World Cup.
13-Jun-2006
AFP
Malaysia said it was proceeding cautiously with negotiations for a free-trade deal with the United States which began this week, and would not act against the national interest.
13-Jun-2006
TWN
As Malaysia and the United States began their first round of talks on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), they were confronted by a group of Malaysian protesters concerned that the agreement will cause the country more harm than good.
12-Jun-2006
AFP
The United States and Malaysia are to embark on free-trade talks in the resort island of Penang, which are being fast-tracked with the goal of striking a deal by the end of the year.
30-May-2006
The Star
Kedah farmers have asked the government to explain the benefits that they could gain from the USA-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before it proceeds with discussions scheduled to be held on June 12 in Penang.
15-May-2006
The Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA) is optimistic on the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s effort to launch a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States (US).
12-May-2006
Bernama
Several US-based food producing/processing companies have identified Malaysia a key market in Asia and are considering setting up a physical presence here, said agriculture counsellor of the United States Embassy, Malaysia and Singapore, Jonathan Gressel.
11-May-2006
Bernama
Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz cited the financial sector as one area that Malaysia cannot open up at a faster pace. She noted that it was the US — not Malaysia — which made the approach on the FTA.
9-May-2006
The Malaysian Government is taking a strong stand on the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.
