US and Malaysia hold more talks on bilateral issues
The Star, 17 May 2005
US and Malaysia hold more talks on bilateral issues
By Johan Fernandez in Washington, DC
UNITED States 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.
This second meeting under Tifa was held last week in Washington DC. The US delegation was led by its assistant US trade representative for South-East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Barbara Weisel, while the Malaysian team was led by International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Datuk Sidek Hassan.
The talks, which were described as “highly productive”, discussed ways to address outstanding bilateral trade issues as well as coordination on regional and multilateral issues.
The US Trade Department said in a statement the extensive bilateral agenda covered a range of issues, including improving market access in the automotive, financial services and agriculture sectors; strengthening the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; upgrading customs procedures; and addressing investment concerns.
The parties also discussed trade capacity building projects that could help further their interests in strengthening their trade relationship; and coordination on APEC and WTO issues.
The statement said Malaysia, which is the US’ 10th largest trading partner with two-way trade totalling more than US$36bil last year, was playing an active and constructive role in the Doha round negotiations, and US officials were pleased to have the opportunity to consult further after earlier meetings in Paris and reaffirm both countries’ commitment to an ambitious result in the Doha round.
The US concluded the Tifa with Malaysia last year under the Enterprise for Asean Initiative (EAI), which was announced by President George W. Bush in October 2002.
As part of this initiative, the US is seeking to further strengthen trade and investment ties with Asean, both as a region and bilaterally.
The EAI offers the prospect of negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) - such as Malaysia’s proposed FTA with Thailand - with Asean members that have bilateral Tifas with the US.
