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  1. Negotiations

Malaysia

Compared to its neighbours in Southeast Asia, Malaysia was late to get on the FTA train. But now it does not want to be left out of the major deals, it seems.

Malaysia signed its first FTAs with Japan in 2005. In 2007, it signed with Pakistan. It also has FTAs with Chile (2010) , India (2011) and New Zealand (2009), It has been in FTA talks with the US, but these have effectively been shelves since 2009. It is in negotiations with Australia, and may commence negotiations with the GCC and EFTA.

As member of ASEAN, it is also party to the agreements with China, India, Korea and Japan, and the negotiations with Australia/New Zealand and the EU.

last update: May 2012
Photo: MTUC

Malaysia, New Zealand aim to finalise free trade agreement review by year end, says Anwar
3-Nov-2025 The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia and New Zealand are aiming to complete the review of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) by the end of the year, as confirmed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit.
Beyond dance with Trump, shocking details emerge on deal Anwar signed
27-Oct-2025 Malaysia Now
Questions are now being raised over the contents of a trade agreement which includes clauses requiring Malaysia to consult Washington before engaging in trade with a third country.
Malaysia, US unveil sweeping trade pact covering rare earths, energy and US$150b in deals, according to joint statement
27-Oct-2025 Malay Mail
Malaysia has committed to the expedient development of its critical minerals and rare earths sectors in partnership with United States companies, including granting extended operating licences to create certainty for businesses to increase production capacity.
Malaysia and South Korea complete talks on free trade agreement
27-Oct-2025 The Edge Malaysia
Malaysia and South Korea have concluded negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. The upcoming Malaysia-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (MKFTA) covers goods, services, investments, customs facilitation as well as sanitary and phytosanitary, digital trade, the green economy, bioeconomy and economic cooperation
Bangladesh-Malaysia FTA seen as gateway to ASEAN exports
15-Oct-2025 JagoNews24
The Bangladeshi government has begun preparing for FTA negotiations, with a draft framework ready and formal talks expected to start in mid-2025. They highlight Malaysia’s role as a gateway to ASEAN’s 660 million people.
Malaysian small-scale farmers worry about rights under proposed seed law changes
10-Oct-2025 Mongabay
Malaysia is preparing to amend its Protection of New Plant Varieties Act to join the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) by 2026 - a key criterion for Malaysia to join a trans-Pacific free trade agreement.
Malaysia continues to forge trade, investment ties with global strategic partners, says Tengku Zafrul
15-Jul-2025 The Star
The Trade Minister said their discussions covered various strategic initiatives, from the review of free trade agreements, including the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership Agreement.
Malaysia too hasty in signing EFTA trade agreement
1-Jul-2025 Consumers’ Association of Penang
Consumers’ Association of Penang express strong disappointment over Malaysia’s rushed signing of a trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, criticizing the government’s failure to address concerns about the intellectual property (IP) provisions.
Malaysia signs free trade pact with Norway, Iceland and other EFTA countries
25-Jun-2025 ScandAsia
Malaysia has signed a wide-ranging economic partnership agreement with the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Malaysia – EFTA Economic Partnership Agreement (MEEPA) will jeopardise public health, access to seeds & farmers’ rights
17-Jun-2025 Consumers’ Association of Penang
Consumers’ Association of Penang submitted a Memorandum on June 2025 to strongly urge the Malaysian government not to rush to endorse and/or sign the trade deal with EFTA. If a deal is to be signed, such a deal must not contain any TRIPS-plus obligation.