Trump tariffs hit Malaysian tech
Local SMEs and start-ups may face pressure, but strong Asian ties offer a path forward
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to impose a 24% reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports has raised red flags for the country’s tech industry, especially among small and medium enterprises.
But industry players say regional alliances and Malaysia’s strong position in Asia will help the sector stay afloat.
“East Asia has already banded together in an unlikely alliance—namely, cooperation between Japan, China, and South Korea,” said Ridzwan Nordin, co-founder of Kotak Sakti and member of the National Artificial Intelligence Consortium.
“Asean and Malaysia should consider a similar approach, particularly as Malaysia holds the Asean chair.”
Ben Lim, CEO of venture capital firm Nexea, said Malaysia’s stronger trade relationships with countries like China and Singapore could ease the impact of U.S. tariffs.
He also emphasized the importance of diversifying supply chains to build resilience.
Victor Chua, founder of Vynn Capital, added that the tariffs might even accelerate foreign direct investments from North Asia as companies look for regional alternatives to the U.S. market.
Despite the setback, industry leaders believe the current crisis could push Malaysia closer to deeper integration within Asia’s tech ecosystem—making it stronger in the long run.
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