KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 – Malaysia must carefully maintain a balance in cultivating strong relationships with the United States (US) as well as with other regional partners, in accordance with its role as ASEAN Chair and its commitment to promoting regional economic development.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made this statement following his leadership of the National Geoeconomic Action Centre (NGCC) Meeting yesterday, which concentrated on devising strategies to enhance Malaysia's export performance in the US market.

"This represents a significant opportunity for us to accelerate efforts to restructure the national economy. It is a chance to lay the groundwork for a more robust, resilient, and competitive economic structure amidst a global environment that is becoming increasingly unpredictable," he said in a statement published on Facebook last night.

He emphasized that this initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader ambition to position itself as a key driver of resilient economic growth in the region, especially as the world faces continuous economic shifts.

The NGCC meeting was convened in the wake of discussions held last week between Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick, as well as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

That meeting was regarded as a crucial step toward ensuring that Malaysia’s perspectives and interests are effectively represented in the complex and evolving landscape of global trade.