From Wong Chun Wai
It’s never easy dealing with US president Donald Trump as his unpredictability and mood swings are legendary.
But Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been able to pull off what many world leaders have failed disastrously to do.
Not only was he able to establish a close rapport despite only meeting for the first time, but he also successfully walked away with tangible economic wins for Malaysia.
The zero tariffs on Malaysian electronics exports to the US are a landmark.
Up to 1,700 Malaysian products exported to the US amounting to RM21.9 billion will enjoy tariffs lower than the 19% imposed earlier.
While there are those who claim we have given in too much to the US, let’s not overlook the crucial areas.
The electronics and electrical sector alone accounts for 40% of the nation’s exports.
The US agreement to stick to the zero tariffs is a game-changer. It is a win for Malaysia.
As with all negotiations, there are wins and losses, but a deal must be reached. There cannot be a winner-takes-all formula.
It marks a breakthrough for both nations, while negotiations in some countries continue to drag on.
It is about securing Malaysia’s economic future through deft diplomacy and calm leadership.
Malaysia has also demonstrated its ability to navigate the delicate path of non-alignment.
It is also about managing unpredictability — something that has left many leaders in tight spots when dealing with Trump.
Depending on which side of the bed he wakes up on, tariffs have shot up for no clear reason.
Instead of pandering excessively or trying to outmatch Trump, Anwar used his charm, wit, patience, focus and empathy to win him over. These are skills which he has honed over decades in politics.
The right vibes began when Trump walked down from Air Force One at KLIA and he was welcomed with traditional Malaysian performances.
But it was done differently as Trump swayed to the tune of the iconic Hawaii 5-0 theme, which was captured on TV cameras and broadcast around the world.
The video that @margomartin (special assistant and communications adviser to the president) captured of Trump dancing in Malaysia had just surpassed a million likes on Instagram with a whopping 21.5 million views on Monday. It also has 17.7 million views on Facebook and 9.3 million on TikTok.
Breaking away from protocol, Trump even invited Anwar into “The Beast”, as the US presidential limousine car is called.
It is indeed a rare honour extended by Trump, and in that short ride to KL, Anwar turned formality into friendship.
What is evident now is that Malaysia has proven itself as a reliable trading partner.
We will do business with any country, and we do not want to be dragged into any geopolitical rivalry. Malaysia will give the same grand welcome to China’s Xi Jinping as we did to Trump.
There are many Malaysians who dislike Trump, as with many Americans, too. But he remains a powerful political figure whose decisions have a global impact, politically and economically, and Malaysia needs to be on the comfortable side.
We have also become a global semiconductor supply chain player and we should be proud of it.
Under the agreement, our microchips and related goods will enter the US market duty free. It will boost high-value job creations in Penang, Kulim and other industrial areas.
We can now assure the world that Malaysia remains a secure hub for high-tech component production.
Malaysia has sizeable rare earth material, but extraction requires high technology, which only a few countries like the US and China possess.
There are also environmental laws for us to look into, as they are buried deep under gazetted jungles. All these pose challenges and it will take a long time before actual work can start.
For Asean, as Malaysia’s chairmanship comes to an end, Anwar has demonstrated a leadership that will be hard to match for other leaders in the region.
Many ordinary Malaysians have openly expressed their pride in Anwar’s diplomatic performance.
It cannot be denied that his competence in speaking English has helped him win the hearts and minds of our guests. The reality is that the English language matters, and it is required to engage with other personalities on an equal footing.
Anwar has elevated Malaysia’s standing in the eyes of the world, without doubt.
As one report rightly put it, “his steady hand turned unpredictability into opportunity. And in doing so, he reminded the world that Malaysia’s voice – calm, confident and constructive – carries farther than ever before”.
Wong Chun Wai is Bernama chairman.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.