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  1. Negotiations

US-Malaysia


Having signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement on 10 May 2004, the US and Malaysia agreed in early 2006 to start negotiating a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. US negotiators indicated that they expected to conclude talks by the end of 2006 but that was not to be.

The Malaysian government has been putting up a fight on various issues such as government procurement (which Malaysia does not want to open to US participation) and its Bumiputra policy (giving special preferences to ethnic Malays). Social movements, on the other hand, reject the talks particularly in terms of the implications of a deal on access to medicines, intellectual property and Malaysia's autonomy to set policies. The negotiations have stalled since 2009, and are now effectively on ice.

last update: May 2012

Photo: Third World Network

The coming free trade shock
18-Jul-2006     Sun2Surf
If the popular protests that have rocked the World Trade Organisation talks in past years are any indication, there will be much public anger against the free trade agreements (FTA) that are being lined up between economic giants like the US and Japan and developing countries including Malaysia.
Local drug makers may lose out under US FTA
17-Jul-2006     The Edge Daily
Malaysia's generic drug manufacturers might find it more difficult to conduct business if the US' negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) are influenced by the strong US pharmaceutical lobby there.
Malaysia to protect sovereign rights in any FTA talks
15-Jul-2006     Business Times
Malaysia will not sign any agreement that is to its disadvantage. Malaysia suspended FTA talks with New Zealand recently because it did not agree with that country's requests in the areas of government procurement, environment, manpower and competition policy.
FMM Supports Malaysia-US FTA
3-Jul-2006    
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement (MUSFTA) will serve as a mutually beneficial partnership agreement for further collaboration in the goods sector.
FTA With M'sia Will Benefit American Companies, Says US Diplomat
3-Jul-2006    
A US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will provide a strategic foothold for US companies in Malaysia's growing high technology, telecommunications and financial services sectors, says a US diplomat.
Malaysian garment firms looking forward to FTA with US
30-Jun-2006    
Malaysia's textile and garment industry is looking forward to a US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to help boost exports.
US-Malaysia FTA talks expected to be wrapped up by year-end
29-Jun-2006    
The ongoing Malaysia-US free trade agreement (FTA) talks can be concluded within the schedule of meetings lined up till the end of the year, says Howard F. Rosen, the executive director of the US-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Trade Adjustment Assistance Coalition.
M'sia-US FTA Likely To Be Signed, Says NGO Official
26-Jun-2006    
Malaysia and the United States would not have entered into any free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations if there is no likelihood of the agreement being concluded, says Howard Rosen, executive director of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Coalition, a non-governmental organisation.
Malaysia to ensure safeguards in FTA talks with US: Rafidah
26-Jun-2006    
Malaysia will protect its interests when negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz says.
AMCHAM Malaysia/US Chamber of Commerce public submission for the proposed US-Malaysia free trade agreement
20-Jun-2006    
A 98-page outline of US industry recommendations for the proposed US-Malaysia FTA.