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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

US, Malaysia to launch free trade talks Wednesday
8-Mar-2006    
The United States and Malaysia will announce plans on Wednesday to negotiate a free trade agreement, industry and congressional sources familiar with the decision said.
Appeal for Malaysians to have access to affordable medicines
5-Mar-2006    
Open letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
US calls for more flexible currency regime in Malaysia
24-Feb-2006     Business Times
The US would like to see greater exchange rate flexibility in Malaysia, US Treasury Under Secretary Timothy Adams said yesterday.
US nearing decision on trade talks with Malaysia
17-Feb-2006     Reuters
The United States may announce soon that it is beginning free trade talks with Malaysia, US Trade Representive Rob Portman said on Wednesday.
Cabinet gives nod for Malaysia-US FTA discussions, says Rafidah
17-Jan-2006    
The Cabinet has agreed in principle for Malaysia and the US to begin discussions towards forging a free trade agreement (FTA) as and when both sides are ready.
US expects smooth talk with Malaysia on future FTA
15-Jan-2006     Bernama
Malaysia and United States will start preliminary discussions on free trade area (FTA) agreement in Kuala Lumpur next week with US chief negotiator expressing confident it will take place in smooth and protest-free environment.
Robust outlook conducive for US-Malaysia FTA talks
15-Dec-2005     Business Times
An 18-member mission of the US-Asean Business Council visited Malaysia recently to encourage the start of bilateral FTA talks with the US.
M'sia-US FTA can conclude within given timeframe, says US official
6-Dec-2005    
The possibility Malaysia signing a Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement with the United States before June 2007 is possible as both governments are seriously undertaking a study on the pact.
US hopes to conclude FTA with M'sia by June '07
10-Oct-2005     Edge Daily
The United States hopes to conclude any possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia by June 2007, said Assistant US Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and Pacific Affairs Barbara Weisel.
Malaysia should improve IPR protection, says US
8-Jul-2005     The Edge Daily
The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) has been identified as being one of the main concerns for US investors to come into Malaysia, said the United States ambassador to Malaysia, Christopher J LaFleur.