AS the Madani government rejoiced that the 19% US tariff rate on Malaysia stays put with additional exemptions worth US$5.2 bil on 1,711 tariff lines, detractors view the final outcome as a lopsided deal which has undignified Malaysia as a sovereign state.
For the record, both US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had inked the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) on Sunday (Oct 25) at the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur-hosted 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
Former Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communication deputy director Datuk Eric See-To wondered why northern neighbour Thailand is only required to purchase US$20 bil worth of US agricultural/energy products and aircraft in exchange for its 19% tariff but “Malaysia has to pay a hefty US$240 bil for a similar 19%”?
“Are we 12 times more susceptible to (US) pressure than Thailand?” he said in a Facebook post.
See-To who regularly blogged under the moniker Lim Sian See also jibed the Madani government with regard to Article 3.3: Digital Trade Agreements which necessitates Malaysia to consult with the US “before entering into a new digital trade agreement with another country that jeopardises essential US interests”.
“When asked, the Minister (Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz) replied: ‘We have discussed this matter. So, it’s not mandatory but just a consultation (with the America).’
“But the question is if Malaysia as a sovereign country wants to make a digital sector agreement with any other country, why do we’ve to refer to the US first?”
Added the prominent Barisan Nasional (BN) cybertrooper during incarcerated ex-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration: “It’s just like saying the British didn’t appoint a Resident to colonise us but only as an adviser to the Malay rulers. The Resident was never a colonialist. His advice wasn’t an order, right”?
Perikatan Nasional (PN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali likened the reciprocal trade agreement to marking “the surrender of our sovereignty and our economic future”.
The former international trade and industry minister further contended that one of the most damaging clauses of the ART was the one which requires Malaysia to copy any US trade restrictions or sanctions against other countries.
“If Washington decides to block imports from China or Russia, Malaysia must do the same, even if it harms our economy,” he pointed out in a statement.
“This clause (Article 5.1: Complementary Actions) forces Malaysia to take sides in other people’s conflicts and destroys the neutrality that has long been our strength.”
Added Azmin who is also the Bersatu secretary-general: “By aligning Malaysia’s policies with US decisions, the agreement risks driving away investors who value Malaysia’s role as a neutral and stable partner in this part of the world.”
Elsewhere, PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari reminded the Madani government that “the agreement was not a victory to celebrate but a deal that sold off the village while pretending to cheer”.
“It marks a new form of colonialism with the US hiding behind the slogan of “economic cooperation,” he asserted in a lengthy Facebook post.
“The official document released by the White House – available on their website – clearly shows that the ART is not a balanced partnership.
“It is, instead, a handover of Malaysia’s policies, resources and regulatory power to Washington. Is this a modern-day tribute payment from Malaysia to the US?” – Oct 28, 2025
