Malaysia clarifies Trump trade deal: no exclusive rare earth rights for US
Signed at the Asean Summit with the US president, the deal remains under negotiation as Malaysian PM Anwar seeks further written assurances
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister assured the House of Representatives that the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade creates no binding supply obligations or market preferences. Malaysia, he confirmed, remains free to manage its strategic mineral exports without restriction to any single nation.
During the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address on Thursday, Arthur firmly dismissed speculation of a trade-off.
“The government also wishes to stress that REE was never offered as a concession or quid pro quo in any trade or tariff negotiations with the United States,” he said.
