US-Malaysia FTA talks postponed on US request
Bernama | January 15, 2009
US- Malaysia FTA Talks Postponed On US Request
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) — The negotiations between Malaysia and the United States on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have been postponed on request from Washington, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
"This is not the ministry’s decision. Fact is the talks have been temporarily stopped on the request made by the US. We should have had a meeting before the end of 2008, but they had requested for the postponement," he said.
This is probably due to the transition in power and administration in the United States from George W. Bush to Barack Obama, he said when asked on the status of the FTA.
Apart from that, the ministry is also studying closely the matter and Malaysia is not rushing into it as there are many issues to be looked into, he said.
"We have to study all the issues that have been listed under the various sectors under the negotiations," he said.
On the boycott of US products in Malaysia, Muhyiddin said: "If there are Malaysians who want to take such an action, it is their right. As for the government, we have not taken any decision on the matter."
