Malaysia must act now as 10pc US tariff not guaranteed ceiling, says industry expert

Malaysia should not consider the current 10 percent tariff imposed by the US on its goods as a fixed ceiling, according to industry practitioner Datuk Seri R.

He emphasizes that the US may reconsider the tariff rate if dissatisfied with Malaysia's progress in addressing concerns related to structural excess capacity and transshipment controls.

In preparation for the findings of an ongoing US investigation, Jeyenderan suggests that Malaysian authorities should compile accurate industry data and enforce effective trade and labor regulations.

This approach, he argues, will help Malaysia mitigate potential additional tariff measures and assure US authorities of its commitment to resolving any identified issues.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — Malaysia should not regard the 10 per cent tariff currently imposed by the United States on its goods as a guaranteed ceiling, as Washington could review the rate if it is dissatisfied with the country’s efforts to address its concerns, said industry practitioner Datuk Seri R. Jeyenderan.

He said while the 10 per cent rate offered some relief to Malaysian businesses compared with potentially higher tariffs, exporters should remain cautious as the US could take further action depending on the outcome of its investigations.

“Businesses should understand that 10 per cent is not a guaranteed ceiling. If the US is not satisfied with Malaysia’s response or believes that the commitments made are not being properly implemented, there is a possibility that further measures could be considered,” he said in a statement today.

Jeyenderan, who has more than 30 years of maritime experience, said the issue was particularly important given the ongoing US investigation into structural excess capacity involving Malaysia and several other economies.

Recently, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the US was expected to announce its findings from the excess capacity investigation involving Malaysia within three to four weeks.

Johari said the current 10 per cent tariff formed part of broader US action involving 60 economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act 1974, with Malaysia among 17 economies subjected to the lower tariff rate.

The remaining economies are subject to a 12.5 per cent tariff, he said.

Jeyenderan, who is also chief executive officer of Maritime Network Sdn Bhd, said Malaysia should use the period before the US announces its findings to strengthen its evidence and demonstrate that its commitments were being effectively implemented.

He said US concerns over goods moving through third countries also made strong transshipment controls important to Malaysia’s defence in the investigation.

“Yes, in my view. Weak records would make it harder to distinguish genuine Malaysian production from goods merely passing through. That would undermine credibility, although it would not itself prove excess capacity,” he said.

Jeyenderan said Malaysia’s ability to trace goods through the supply chain was therefore critical in demonstrating that exports attributed to the country genuinely originated from Malaysian production.

“Our K8 concerns raise a related issue: can authorities reconcile the cargo that arrived, what happened during storage or any blending, and what ultimately left?

“Those are practical questions about traceability that deserve documented answers,” he said.

He said the most urgent step was for the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and Customs Department to assemble verified industry data, audit cargo movements where risks were highest, and demonstrate effective enforcement of forced-labour import restrictions.

“For K8 petroleum cargo, the authorities should issue a clear written determination on permitted storage and blending, the correct declarations, and the resulting classification and tax treatment.

“Maritime Network has already sought clarification on these matters. Resolving them would give businesses certainty and strengthen Malaysia’s ability to defend its controls internationally,” he said.

Jeyenderan said a clear and documented position from the relevant authorities would also help reduce uncertainty among businesses involved in petroleum and maritime trade.

He said Malaysia should ensure that any weaknesses identified through the US investigation were addressed promptly and transparently, rather than waiting for further tariff measures to be imposed.

“Malaysia needs to demonstrate not only that the rules exist, but that they are being properly implemented, monitored and enforced,” he said.

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业内人士拿督斯里R表示，马来西亚不应将美国目前对其商品征收的10%关税视为固定上限。

他强调，如果美国对马来西亚在解决结构性产能过剩和转运管制等问题上取得的进展不满意，可能会重新考虑关税税率。

为应对正在进行的美国调查结果，杰延德兰建议马来西亚当局应收集准确的行业数据，并执行有效的贸易和劳工法规。

他认为，这种做法将有助于马来西亚减轻潜在的额外关税措施，并向美国当局保证其致力于解决任何已发现的问题。

吉隆坡，9月3日讯——马来西亚行业从业者拿督斯里R·杰延德兰表示，马来西亚不应将美国目前对其商品征收的10%关税视为最高限度，因为如果华盛顿对马来西亚为解决其关切所做的努力不满意，可能会重新评估税率。

他表示，虽然 10% 的税率与可能更高的关税相比，能给马来西亚企业带来一些缓解，但出口商仍应保持谨慎，因为美国可能会根据调查结果采取进一步行动。

“企业应该明白，10%并不是一个固定的上限。如果美国对马来西亚的回应不满意，或者认为其做出的承诺没有得到切实执行，那么可能会考虑采取进一步措施，”他今天在一份声明中表示。

拥有 30 多年海事经验的杰延德兰表示，鉴于美国正在对涉及马来西亚和其他几个经济体的结构性产能过剩问题进行调查，这个问题尤为重要。

近日，投资、贸易和工业部长拿督斯里佐哈里·阿卜杜勒·加尼表示，预计美国将在三到四周内公布其对涉及马来西亚的产能过剩调查结果。

乔哈里表示，目前 10% 的关税是美国根据 1974 年贸易法第 301 条款对 60 个经济体采取的更广泛行动的一部分，马来西亚是适用较低关税税率的 17 个经济体之一。

他表示，其余经济体将面临12.5%的关税。

马来西亚海事网络有限公司首席执行官杰延德兰表示，马来西亚应该利用美国公布调查结果之前的这段时间，加强自身证据，并证明其承诺正在得到有效履行。

他表示，美国对货物经由第三国运输的担忧也使得强有力的转运管制对马来西亚在调查中的辩护至关重要。

“是的，我的看法是这样的。记录不完善会使人们更难区分马来西亚真正的产品和过境商品。这会损害信誉，尽管这本身并不能证明产能过剩，”他说道。

杰延德兰表示，马来西亚追踪商品供应链的能力因此至关重要，它可以证明归属于该国的出口产品确实源自马来西亚的生产。

“我们对 K8 的担忧引出了一个相关问题：当​​局能否核实到货情况、储存期间发生的情况或任何混合情况，以及最终留下的货物情况？”

“这些都是关于可追溯性的实际问题，需要有书面答复，”他说。

他表示，最紧迫的措施是投资、贸易和工业部（MITI）和海关部门收集经核实的行业数据，对风险最高的货物运输进行审计，并证明有效执行了强迫劳动进口限制。

“对于 K8 石油货物，有关部门应就允许的储存和混合、正确的申报以及由此产生的分类和税收处理作出明确的书面决定。

“海事网络已经就这些问题寻求澄清。解决这些问题将为企业带来确定性，并增强马来西亚在国际上捍卫其管控能力，”他说。

杰延德兰表示，有关当局明确且有据可查的立场也有助于减少从事石油和海运贸易的企业的不确定性。

他表示，马来西亚应该确保及时、透明地解决美国调查中发现的任何弱点，而不是等待进一步的关税措施出台。

他说：“马来西亚不仅需要证明规则的存在，还需要证明这些规则得到了正确的实施、监督和执行。”

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