He said the role requires someone with the political nuance and business know-how to build tactical relationships without attracting attention for the wrong reasons.
Former Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz completed his two-year stint as Malaysia’s ambassador to the US on Feb 8.
“The next ambassador must effectively communicate Malaysia’s economic importance to the US, such as its role in semiconductor manufacturing,” said Khairy during a panel discussion moderated by former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming.
“Malaysia needs somebody well-versed in business and supply chains who can engage with the US Trade Representative, the commerce department, the state department and the White House to make Malaysia’s case.”
He said the envoy must be able to explain that imposing tariffs on Malaysia would directly impact American semiconductor companies that are already based in the country, like Intel and AMD.
Khairy said 20% of the chips assembled, manufactured and tested in Malaysia end up in the US, with tariffs having the potential to disrupt supply chains and affect products sent to the US.
“So you need a diplomat who’s able to explain this, saying that: ‘You know, look … It’s not a case where you can impose blanket tariffs and get away with it. If we suffer, you suffer equally’.”
He said the diplomat must have the multidisciplinary ability to understand the pros and cons of their actions, and effectively convey Malaysia’s point of view during its chairmanship of Asean this year.
Separately, Khairy also responded to Ong’s question about whether he would consider the role of being Malaysia’s next ambassador to the US.
“If you think a podcast is Siberian winter for a politician, being sent to Washington is Arctic winter,” he said in an apparent reference to his Keluar Sekejap podcast, which he co-hosts with former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.
Khairy also said it is impossible for Malaysia to be seen as a “good guy” by US president Donald Trump, as there are red lines the Malaysian foreign policy establishment will not want to cross regarding the Middle East and Gaza.
Trump 2.0 implications on AI and technology
During the same panel discussion, Shahril — who is currently the managing director of the investment banking firm GP Bullhound Malaysia — said he was hesitant to embrace the idea of an “Asian century” as the US remains ahead in tech innovation, with other Western governments investing heavily to maintain their lead in AI and technology.
The Asian century refers to the idea that Asia will have a dominant role in the 21st century in terms of economics and politics.
“Although you have Deepseek and other advancements (in AI), you wonder whether technological innovations in the West, particularly in the US, are (really) far more advanced,” he said.
“But it seems to me that the best tech firms are in fact in the US, which is why the ‘empire’ remains prominent and at the forefront.
“Other Western governments will also invest heavily to ensure they maintain the lead in tech and AI,” he said.
Shahril also said European private equity and venture capital firms are shifting their focus to India and Southeast Asia as growth markets as China becomes less accessible, especially in technological advancements.
He said Malaysia should explore building trade corridors with China and Europe.