MALAYSIA STUDYING US COURT RULING, TRUMP TARIFF MOVE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is assessing the implications of a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States and a new tariff announced by President Donald Trump, the trade minister said on Saturday.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Putrajaya “takes note” of the US top court’s decision delivered on February 20 and is reviewing recent legal and policy developments in the United States.

Media reported on Friday that the Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s earlier tariff measures, ruling he lacked authority under US law to impose broad unilateral tariffs.

Malaysia has signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) but has yet to ratify it, Johari said, adding that Washington retains other legal avenues to impose trade measures, including unilateral tariffs.

He also referred to Trump’s announcement of a temporary 10 per cent tariff, saying Malaysia was studying its scope and potential impact.

“At this stage, we are awaiting further clarity on how these measures will be implemented and whether additional adjustments will follow,” Johari said in a statement.

The United States, with a gross domestic product of about US$31 trillion, is a key trading partner for Malaysia (US$1 = RM3.90).

In 2025, total trade between the two countries reached around RM367 billion, including RM233 billion in Malaysian exports to the United States.

Johari reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to open and rules-based trade and said the government would safeguard the interests of exporters, investors and workers nationwide.

-- BERNAMA