KUALA LUMPUR: The 25% tariff rate on Malaysia is not final and there is still one month to negotiate for lower rates with the United States, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister also said he had raised the tariff issue when he received a courtesy call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 5pm in Parliament on Thursday (July 10).

“First, we raised the tariff issue. He (Rubio) said the letter (by Donald Trump) is general, and we still have one more month to negotiate.

“He (Rubio) knows that Malaysia is one of US’ key trading partners in the Southeast Asia region and he will take that into consideration and raise our views,” said Anwar to reporters after the courtesy call.

Rubio had arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday morning for his maiden trip to Asia as Washington’s top diplomat.

Meanwhile, Malaysia will remain a neutral country while it seeks closer cooperation with other countries.

“While the US is an important trading partner, our relationship with China and Asean will be strengthened for the benefit of the people and the country,” added Anwar.

On Monday (July 7), Trump announced varying tariff rates on 14 countries to take effect on Aug 1, including a 25% rate on Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Tunisia and Kazakhstan.

Other countries were hit with higher rates such as Cambodia (36%), Thailand (36%), and 40% in Laos, and Myanmar, respectively.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on various countries, including 24% on Malaysia.

The tariffs were then paused for 90 days to allow for negotiations.