[Text/Observer Network Qi Qian] According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post on April 23, a delegation led by Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafir and Second Finance Minister is about to head to the United States for "high-risk" tariff negotiations. The meeting is expected to be difficult, and the Malaysian delegation may face direct pressure to "take sides" and isolate China in the trade field.

However, analysts said that given Malaysia and other ASEAN countries' high dependence on China, they are unlikely to accept the US demand for "decoupling from China." A scholar said, "If they do so, it would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet."

Last Friday, when speaking about the upcoming trip to the United States, Zafir said that this meeting will focus on explaining Malaysia's role as a "neutral" participant to the US side, as well as the important role Malaysia might play in connecting Asian and American supply chains.

US President Trump has been wielding the tariff stick globally, announcing the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on April 2. Most of the 10 ASEAN countries face tariffs ranging from 24% to 49%, with Malaysia's rate at 24%. A week later, as financial markets collapsed, Trump suspended tariffs for 90 days while maintaining a benchmark tax rate of 10%.

The report stated that following Vietnam and Indonesia, Malaysia will become the third ASEAN country to hold talks with US Trade Representative Jamie Greer. Previously, Greer claimed that nearly 50 countries had contacted him to discuss tariff issues before the suspension period. Thailand was originally scheduled to meet with Greer on the 23rd, but the meeting will be rescheduled, and Thailand did not explain the reason for the change.

Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Zafir - Malaysian media

The South China Morning Post believes that amid the escalating trade disputes between China and the US, Malaysia's negotiations with the US are expected to be difficult, and the US trade representative may directly pressure Malaysian officials to "choose sides" between China and the US. At the same time, scholars said that the US side may also require Malaysia to increase imports from the US, particularly in the agricultural sector.

However, many analysts said that given ASEAN countries' high dependence on China, they are unlikely to yield to the US demand for "decoupling from China." Data shows that last year, the US was Malaysia's largest export market, while China has been its largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

"Countries in ASEAN will not do so," said Cassey Lee, senior researcher at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, to the South China Morning Post. "If they do so, it would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on their own feet."

Lee continued to say that for most Southeast Asian countries, there is no reason to exclude Chinese exporters.

Recently, according to multiple foreign media reports, sources revealed that the Trump administration is preparing to exert pressure on other countries in the tariff negotiations, requiring them to limit trade with China in exchange for tariff exemptions from the US side. When asked whether Latin America should "decouple" from China, Trump surprisingly claimed, "Maybe, yes, maybe they should."

In response, European Commission Deputy Spokesperson Arianna Podestà responded on the 22nd, stating that the EU-US tariff negotiations are unrelated to EU-China relations. Despite the latest developments, the EU's policy towards China will "remain unchanged," and the EU will not decouple from China.

On April 21, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce pointed out that recently, the US has imposed tariffs indiscriminately on all trading partners under the guise of so-called "reciprocity," while coercing various parties to engage in so-called "reciprocal tariff" negotiations. This is essentially practicing hegemonism in the economic and trade field and implementing unilateral bullying. Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot earn respect. Sacrificing others' interests for temporary private gains is tantamount to seeking tigers' fur, and ultimately results in losses for both sides, harming others without benefiting oneself.

The spokesperson said that China respects the resolution of economic and trade disputes between various parties and the US through equal consultations. China believes that all parties should stand on the side of fairness and justice and on the right side of history in the issue of "reciprocal tariffs," and uphold international trade rules and the multilateral trading system. It should be noted that China firmly opposes any transaction that sacrifices China's interests. If such a situation arises, China will not accept it and will resolutely retaliate equally. China has the determination and capability to safeguard its own interests.

The spokesperson emphasized that facing the impact of unilateralism and protectionism, no one can remain unscathed. Once international trade returns to the "jungle law" of survival of the fittest, all countries will become victims. China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with all parties, work together to resist unilateral bullying behavior, defend its legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496383983052227123/

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