Malaysia Says in Better Position to Negotiate Any US Chip Tariff

Malaysia’s improved bilateral relationship with the US has strengthened the Southeast Asian country’s position in its negotiation on potential semiconductor tariffs, according to a minister.

The nation is within a “small group of Washington’s key partners,” following an upgrade in ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Aziz. That gives Malaysia a “direct line of sight to high tech-investment opportunities, technology transfer, and more secure supply chain access,” he told parliament on Wednesday.

Malaysia “is now negotiating as a critical supply chain partner, and not just a regular vendor,” he said.

The US said ...