Malaysia's privileges, protections for local firms are 'red lines' in US tariff talks
By Dalila Abu Bakar ( July 22, 2025, 10:59 GMT | Insight) -- Malaysia will not compromise on policies that grant special privileges to ethnic Malays and other indigenous groups or protect opportunities for local businesses, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, calling them red lines in trade negotiations with the US ahead of retaliatory tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1. By outlining its red lines, the Anwar administration is signaling it would rather risk the full 25 percent US tariff than alter its constitutionally embedded policy framework.Malaysia will not compromise on policies that grant special privileges to ethnic Malays and other indigenous groups or protect opportunities for local businesses, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, calling them red lines in trade negotiations with the US ahead of retaliatory tariffs set to take effect Aug. 1....
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