Some really dumb people are insisting that the US imposing tariffs (still among the lowest tariffs in the world) on other countries will cause an economic recession, depression etc.
But other countries have been imposing humongous tariffs not only against US imports but against imports from all other countries.
No wonder the world has been suffering economic recessions and weak growth.
Look at the table below.
China has imposed 67% tariffs on imports.
Vietnam has been imposing 90% tariffs.
The European Union has been imposing 39% import tariffs.
Malaysia has been imposing 47% import tariffs against the US.
Cambodia 97%
South Africa 60% import tariffs.
Because of all these high tariffs.
So to overcome economic recession can all these countries please cut their tariffs to match the United States of America or lower?
Apparently Vietnam has already decided to cut its tariffs on American imports.
Hooray. Clever move.
Meanwhile here is some local news about how the US tariffs will affect our economy:
- Labour group warns of job losses from 24% US tariff on M’sia
- labour group fears tens of thousands of Malaysian workers lose jobs
- following US decision to impose 24% reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports.
- new 24% tariff could force manufacturing to relocate away from Malaysia
- leading to factory closures and widespread job losses.
- Tens of thousands of workers in Malaysia could be terminated
- urged Putrajaya to reduce dependence on FDI and spur domestic industry
- incentives for local industrialists to invest in Malaysia
- to generate more jobs domestically.
There is another video (which does not upload) where a young Chinese girl warns us that ALL Malaysian exports to the US will now be hit by the new US tariffs. (The US has exempted our semi-conductors).
We also export tons of palm oil, rubber related products, timber products, furniture etc to the US. All these are going to be seriously hit by the 24% American tariffs.
2024 exports to US all-time high RM200 billion (Matrade).
top five export sectors, current export value to the US:
1. Electronics and Electricals: integrated circuits, semiconductors. Washington exempted semiconductors from the reciprocal tax given its strategic value. Export over RM50 billion in 2024.
2. Machinery, equipment and parts: automatic data processing machines, printing machines and components, air conditioning machines and components and parts of typewriters and calculating machines. Export value RM27 billion in 2024.
3. Medical machines, optical parts: They include instruments and appliances used for medical, dental, surgical and veterinary purposes. Estimated export value in 2024 was RM17.5 billion.
4. Rubbers: Malaysian companies export rubber used for apparels and clothing, surgical gloves, tubes and pipes made of vulcanised rubber among others. Estimated export value in 2024 was RM7.6 billion.
5. Furniture, lighting signs and prefabricated building materials: These included lamps and lighting fitting, illuminated signs and sign plates. Export value in 2024 RM7 billion.
My Comments :
RM7 billion, RM17.5 billion, RM27 billion, RM7.6 billion. That is a lot of billions.
The Chinese girl in the video also says that Malaysia exports plenty of goods to China, Vietnam, Taiwan which are then processed and become part of their exports to the US. Since Taiwan, China, Vietnam are all getting hit by US tariffs it means even more Malaysian exports will be impacted. Its a snowball effect.
So far the gomen has not made any comments. The MITI fellow is possibly scratching his nuts. The hardware shop mouse sits on its nuts and screws. The kampong mouse sits on its beans and peas.
Say something lah woi. The gomen must know what to do.
The Vietnamese have already begun cutting their tariffs on American imports. Malaysia must do the same. We are imposing (average?) 47% tariffs on American goods. Chop it down to 24% - match the American tariffs. Or go lower. Then Donald Trump says he will reciprocate.
Donald Trump only wants to save American jobs and ensure that American industry does not fall victim to unfair trade practises.
- We tax America 47% it is good for the world economy. Really? Is that so?
- The US taxes us 24% the world will end, kiamat akan tiba, the sky is falling?
- Pi dah mabuk.
If we cut import tariffs the Malaysian consumer should benefit first. Especially for products that we do not manufacture in Malaysia anyway.
But not always. Malaysia is the World's No. 1 Gomen Licensed Monopoly And Oligopoly Economy.
If we cut tariffs on the import of American made automobiles, will the selling price of American cars decrease? The quick answer is NO.
The gomen licensed bumi quota or GLC oligopolies which import American cars will find it cheaper to import the American cars (if the tariffs are lower). But they will maintain the high selling prices to the Malaysian consumer. WHY? Because they are gomen licensed monopolies and oligopolies. They control the market. The Malaysian consumer has little choice.
So if the tariffs are lowered, the oligopoly/monopoly, bumi quota car importers will enjoy much bigger profit margins while the Malaysian consumer does not see any benefits from the lower tariffs. Please abolish the monopolies, oligopolies and the quotas.
But back to the thousands of Malaysian jobs at risk - which issue gets more votes? Gaza, stoking tulisan Arab or US tariffs?
The hardware shop mouse sits on its nuts and screws.The kampong mouse sits on its beans and peas.