KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government is assessing the scope of a new 10 per cent global tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, following a legal defeat for the White House in the US Supreme Court.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Malaysia is awaiting further clarity on how the measures will be implemented. The announcement comes just hours after the US Supreme Court struck down the administration’s previous “emergency” tariffs, ruling 6-3 that the president had exceeded his authority.
In a swift response to the court’s rebuke, Trump signed a new executive order invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to reimpose a baseline 10 per cent duty on all global imports.
Johari said while Malaysia signed a bilateral Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), the government has not yet ratified the deal.
He added Putrajaya is carefully evaluating recent legal and policy shifts in Washington to ensure Malaysia’s economic interests remain protected.
“We note the recent announcement by President Donald Trump of a temporary 10 per cent tariff measure, and we are studying its scope and implications. At this stage, we are awaiting further clarity on how these measures will be implemented and whether additional adjustments will follow,” Johari said.
The stakes for the Malaysian economy are significant. In 2025, total bilateral trade was approximately RM367 billion, with Malaysian exports to the US accounting for RM233 billion.
Johari emphasised that the government remains committed to an open, rules-based trading system and will take necessary steps to safeguard the interests of exporters, international investors, and workers across the economy.
In Washington, Trump said the new 10% global tariff would be “over and above our normal tariffs already being charged”.
“We have alternatives. Great alternatives,” Trump was quoted by US media as saying.
According to Mr Trump, the new tariffs will be imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose tariffs for up to 150 days. During that time, Trump said they would also begin new tariff investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act, which can result in more permanent tariffs.
