Malaysia Insists on Sovereignty, Halal Standard in U.S. Tariff Talks

Malaysia vows not to compromise on national sovereignty or halal certification standards in ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations, as Washington targets suspected transshipments from China through Southeast Asia.
A cargo ship in Port Klang, Malaysia, January 2024. Malaysia vows not to compromise on national sovereignty or halal certification standards in ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations, as Washington targets suspected transshipments from China through Southeast Asia. (Photo: Mohd RASFAN / AFP)

Malaysia insists and will not compromise on sovereignty or halal certification standards in its negotiations with the United States over a 25 percent import tariff tied to U.S. efforts to curb transshipment from China to the U.S. through Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Saturday, as talks continue ahead of an August 1 deadline.

Speaking on Saturday, Anwar said Malaysia seeks a “win-win” outcome with the U.S. Still, Anwar stressed that matters involving religious halal certification and the economic rights of ethnic Malays are non-negotiable.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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