- 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
17-Jan-2006
The Cabinet has agreed in principle for Malaysia and the US to begin discussions towards forging a free trade agreement (FTA) as and when both sides are ready.
15-Jan-2006
Bernama
Malaysia and United States will start preliminary discussions on free trade area (FTA) agreement in Kuala Lumpur next week with US chief negotiator expressing confident it will take place in smooth and protest-free environment.
15-Dec-2005
Business Times
An 18-member mission of the US-Asean Business Council visited Malaysia recently to encourage the start of bilateral FTA talks with the US.
6-Dec-2005
The possibility Malaysia signing a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement with the United States before June 2007 is possible as both governments are seriously undertaking a study on the pact.
10-Oct-2005
Edge Daily
The United States hopes to conclude any possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia by June 2007, said Assistant US Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs Barbara Weisel.
8-Jul-2005
The Edge Daily
The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) has been identified as being one of the main concerns for US investors to come into Malaysia, said the United States ambassador to Malaysia, Christopher J LaFleur.
17-May-2005
The Star
US and Malaysian trade officials recently held a second round of talks to discuss outstanding bilateral issues under the US-Malaysia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa), signed last May.
18-Mar-2005
Malaysia is among five countries that the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has recommended that the US administration explore the possibility of negotiating free trade agreements (FTA) with.
19-Feb-2005
The US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks are unlikely to begin this year as the two countries have only begun formal discussions on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) earlier this month.
2-Feb-2005
The Star
The plan to expand and better manage bilateral trade co-operation between the United States and Malaysia gains ground tomorrow with the first working-level meeting of the joint Trade and Investment Council.
