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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

Malaysia, US resume free trade Talks
14-Jan-2008     AP
The United States and Malaysia resumed formal talks Monday for a free trade agreement, nearly a year after discussions stalled amid differences over Malaysia's government procurement policy.
Malaysia-US FTA talks to resume on January 14
4-Jan-2008    
Formal negotiations between Malaysia and the US are said to be scheduled to resume during the week of January 14 in Kuala Lumpur, according to Barbara Weisel, the US chief negotiator, adding that the US hopes to reach an agreement by the middle of the year.
US business community reaffirms support for US-Malaysia FTA
5-Dec-2007     Bernama
The American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce whose members include US, Malaysian, and other international companies, has urged the United States and Malaysian governments to consummate the free trade agreement now being negotiated.
US, Malaysia plan to resume trade talks early 2008
20-Nov-2007     Reuters
The United States and Malaysia are planning to resume formal negotiations on a free trade agreement early next year, after failing to reach a deal in early 2007
Malaysia-US FTA likely after end of Bush administration - report
14-Nov-2007     Forbes
A free trade agreement between Malaysia and the United States is likely to be deferred until after November next year from the early 2008 target set previously as attention focuses on the upcoming US presidential election, the Edge Financial Daily reported on Wednesday.
US envoy to Malaysia urges conclusion to free-trade pact
19-Sep-2007     AFP
The United States' new ambassador to Malaysia on Wednesday urged both countries to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement after a missed deadline appears to have slowed the pace of talks.
Hundreds of Malaysians protest against Free Trade Agreement
1-Sep-2007     SWO
On Sunday 26 August more than 500 people staged a strong anti US-FTA protest in the centre of Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Most of the protesters were farmers from the northern rice-bowl state of Kedah, or workers and urban settlers.
US, Malaysia could strike trade deal next year - USTR
28-Aug-2007     Reuters
The United States and Malaysia could finish talks on a free trade agreement in 2008, even though the Bush administration has lost key legislative authority, a top US trade official said on Monday.
Malaysia-US FTA talks nothing to do with Malaysia's domestic policies: DPM
17-Jul-2007    
Malaysia's ongoing negotiations with the United States on a free trade agreement (FTA) will not involve any of Malaysia's domestic policies such as that related to the special status for Bumiputeras, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday.
US aims to conclude FTA talks with Malaysia by second quarter 2008, says official
17-Jul-2007     IHT
"Both sides would like to finish this as quickly as possible," a US official told reporters