3 h. ago US, China trade officials to meet in Malaysia amid escalating rare earths dispute

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday that he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would travel to Malaysia later that day as scheduled to meet with Chinese officials over what he called Beijing’s “incredibly aggressive” measures to curb rare earth exports. The meeting is seen as a stepping stone to a sit-down in South Korea next week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a time of...

Politics

36 h. ago Malaysia’s illegal firework trade under fire as ‘coconut’ explosive injures 22

What should have been an evening of light and celebration to mark Diwali in Malaysia descended into chaos on Monday after a fireworks blast injured 22 people, reigniting concerns over lax enforcement of a ban on high-powered explosives. The explosion in Kulim, northern Kedah state, left one man with a fractured skull while others suffered burns and broken bones, police said. Unconfirmed local media reports said other injuries included severed fingers and permanent hearing loss. Kulim district...

Events

5 d. ago Malaysia’s economy powers on, defying Trump’s volatile trade policy

Malaysia’s growth unexpectedly accelerated in the third quarter, with the economy firing across all sectors and exports defying US President Donald Trump’s imposition of higher tariffs. Gross domestic product rose 5.2 per cent in the July-September period from a year earlier, according to advance estimates from Malaysia’s Department of Statistics on Friday. That is faster than even the highest estimate in a Bloomberg survey and exceeds the pace of expansion seen in the previous three...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Master of its own house’: Malaysia’s trade chief defends slow

In an era marked by geopolitical rifts and economic volatility, Asean shines as a beacon of stability and potential, according to Malaysia’s trade minister. Tengku Zafrul Aziz offered a robust defence of the 10-nation bloc’s consensus-driven approach at the Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore on Thursday, insisting that its slow deliberations were a strength, not a weakness. Addressing an audience of business leaders, government officials and investors, Zafrul argued that the Association...

Politics

3 w. ago EU is diversifying its supply chains, but it’s still reliant on China

Europe’s attempt to reduce its dependence on China through trade agreements in Asia may not achieve the intended outcome. Instead of breaking ties, Brussels is being drawn deeper into supply chains where Chinese companies remain central. EU deals in recent years with Vietnam, Indonesia and India broaden market access and diversify suppliers, yet also channel European demand into production networks controlled by China. Meanwhile, the European Union continues trade talks with Thailand, Malaysia...

Politics

4 w. ago Asean to leverage trade pact with US in talks with Greer as tariffs dent growth

Asean ministers will seek to leverage an existing trade and investment agreement with the US during their meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Malaysia on Wednesday, amid the adverse impact of Washington’s tariffs on regional economies. The imposition of tariffs of between 10 and 40 per cent on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by US President Donald Trump has led to regional economists cutting growth forecasts and businesses reconfiguring their supply chains. Speaking...

Politics

4 w. ago Hong Kong finance chief defends market as critics warn of Beijing's grip

Hong Kong finance chief defends market as critics warn of Beijing's grip  Nikkei Asia

Events