Its president, Ramzi Toubassy, said Malaysia would continue to be an important country for the US companies to invest in due to its great business climate.

Amcham Malaysia represents 260 US and Malaysian companies with strong American ties.

“I think it is too early to talk about a trade war.

“Always remember that what is happening today is probably negotiations, jockeying for positions and such.

“Both the US and Chinese presidents are businessmen and they are not going to do anything to hurt their economies.

“Whatever happens, the US business (in Malaysia) is very strong,” Toubassy said.

He was speaking to reporters ahead of the two-day Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (Apcac) 2018 Business Summit, which starts tomorrow.

Also present were Apcac chairman Jackson Cox, and Amcham Malaysia’s executive director Siobhan Das and Hawaii-based East-West Centre president Richard R Vuylsteke.

Toubassy said Malaysia had a lot to offer, adding that the standard of living in the country was good and had thus attracted a lot of regional hubs to set up their base in the country.

Between January and November 2017, Malaysia’s trade with the US grew by 18.1% to RM145.92 billion from the same period in 2016.

Exports to the US rose by 11.9% to RM81.74 billion, with growth recorded in all main sectors, including rubber products, chemicals and chemical products, while imports from the US increased by 27.1% to RM64.18 billion.

On whether the US would remain as preferred investment destination with the current US administration, Toubassy said American businesses were very much grounded in their operations and expansion.

“No country wants to put all their eggs in one basket. They will always want to diversify and hedge.

“In the end, the US will always be a dominant player due to what we can provide in terms of services, training and things of that nature.

“Remember, politics come and go. This is a phase in the US history and it will go like any other phase,” he said.