Anwar said while Trump’s rhetoric could be a cause for concern, the US leader realised the necessity of interdependence.

“I think he also knows that the interest of the US, with interdependence… with globalised trade, that requires him to listen to the diverse interests outside, including China,” Bernama reported the prime minister as saying.

Anwar said yesterday that he was looking forward to working with Trump, “to strengthen the robust, complementary and forward-looking ties between Malaysia and the US”.

Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president yesterday, marking his return to the post for the second time.

On a separate issue, Anwar hailed the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as one of a kind and a “phenomenal move between Malaysia and Singapore”.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the initiative highlighted the element of trust in working together on a joint programme that would benefit both sides.

“This Johor-Singapore economics, in my mind, is a phenomenal sort of a move, because (it) must be based on trust and common policies. And it is happening,” he said during a dialogue at the World Economic Forum Annual Summit 2025 in Davos.

Anwar said he was confident that the JS-SEZ would propel the economy in terms of investments, where both Malaysia and Singapore could benefit.

“We are really enthusiastic, and so was Singapore prime minister Lawrence Wong when we had the discussion, and I think that should be a very important showcase for Malaysia and Singapore and also for the region, for Asean and beyond.”

Malaysia and Singapore announced an agreement earlier this month on a SEZ in Johor, aimed at supporting investment and freeing up the movement of goods and people between the two countries.

They agreed in principle to jointly develop the economic zone a year ago.