KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Malaysia plans to diversify its trading partners to explore new solar export markets, amid geopolitical tensions and the ongoing trade war between China and the US, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

Miti Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz emphasised that Malaysia, as the fifth largest economic bloc, maintains strong relationships with all parties regarding trade, investment and diplomatic matters.

"As a trade-based nation, we adopt a neutral and non-aligned stance, given that both the US and China are crucial for trade and investment in Asean countries," he told Bernama after participating in and officiating the Bernama Radio and Miti Fun Run programme here on Thursday.

Zafrul noted that Malaysia's position as the 2025 chairman of Asean provides an advantage in addressing these issues.

Recently, the US imposed a tariff of 9.13% on solar cell imports from Malaysia, while other Southeast Asian nations face different rates: Cambodia at 8.25%, Thailand at 23.06%, and Vietnam at 2.85%.

He reiterated Malaysia's objection to the solar import duty, and argued that companies with a minimum of 40% local content should be exempt from the tariff.

"Solar is an affordable solution that supports the global effort to achieve net zero emissions. Therefore, I urge the US to give due consideration to solar companies based in Malaysia," he added.

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee