Order Code RL33445
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
The Proposed U.S.-Malaysia
Free Trade Agreement
Updated October 16, 2006
Dick K. Nanto
Specialist in Industry and Trade
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

The Proposed U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement
Summary
This report addresses the proposed U.S.-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA).
It provides a brief overview of the Malaysian economy, a review of U.S. interests in
the proposed agreement, an examination of possible issues likely to arise during the
negotiations, a comparison of tariff rates between the two countries, legislative
procedures, and an appendix with a brief chronology and trade data — including U.S.
exports to Malaysia by sector and exports to Malaysia by state.
The U.S. Trade Representative, on March 8, 2006, announced the
Administration’s intent to negotiate a free trade agreement with Malaysia. The goal
of the proposed FTA is to remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers and expand trade
between the two nations. Beginning in June, five rounds of negotiations (alternating
between the two countries) are scheduled for 2006. The negotiating goal is to
complete the talks by the end of 2006 in order to send the proposed implementing
legislation to Congress in the spring of 2007 and have Congress consider it before the
Administration’s Trade Promotion Authority expires on July 1, 2007.
The proposed U.S.-Malaysia FTA is of interest to Congress because (1) it
requires congressional approval under expedited legislative procedures; (2) it
continues the trend toward greater trade liberalization and globalization; (3) it may
include controversial provisions; and (4) it would affect certain trade flows that
would, in turn, affect U.S. businesses or farmers, particularly import-competing
industries and those exporting to Malaysia.
Malaysia is a rapidly industrializing country with a gross domestic product of
$131 billion and a majority Muslim population of 25.6 million people. It is a
democratic secular Muslim state; a member of ASEAN, Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation, and other multilateral fora, and shares an interest with the United States
in dealing with a rising China and in securing a safe shipping channel through the
Strait of Malacca. Malaysia is not a member of the Arab League.
On a most favored nation basis, Malaysia’s average tariff rate is 8.1% — nearly
twice the 4.9% of the United States. Under an FTA, exporters in each country would
face the same tariff rates and a more level playing field for U.S. businesses shipping
merchandise to Malaysia.
Areas of particular interest to U.S. exporters include a reduction of Malaysian
barriers to exports of automobiles (Malaysia protects its automobile industry with
tariffs of 30% on fully assembled vehicles and excise taxes ranging from 80% to
200%), certain agricultural products, stricter enforcement of intellectual property
rights, and broader access in sectors such as financial services, government
procurement, telecommunications, and professional services.
Malaysia is the tenth largest trading partner of the United States with U.S.
exports of $10.4 billion and imports of $33.7 billion for a U.S. bilateral deficit of
$23.3 billion in 2005. The United States is Malaysia’s top export market and second
to Japan for Malaysia’s imports. This report will be updated periodically.

Contents
Recent Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Malaysian Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interests, Benefits and Potential Opposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tariff Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Average MFN Tariff Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Average Applied Tariff Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Possible Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Intellectual Property Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Automobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Government Procurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Capital Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Trade Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Legislative Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Policy Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Appendix A. Chronology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Appendix B. U.S. Exports of Merchandise to Malaysia by Two-Digit
Harmonized System Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Appendix C. U.S. Imports of Merchandise from Malaysia by Two-Digit
Harmonized System Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Appendix D. U.S. Merchandise Exports by State To Malaysia, 2003-2005 . . . 29
List of Figures
Figure 1. Map of Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

List of Tables
Table 1. Selected Indicators for the Malaysian Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Average and Range of Malaysian and U.S. Most Favored Nation
Tariff Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Table 3. U.S. and Malaysian Average Applied Tariffs on Industrial Goods . . . 12
Table 4. U.S. Trade with Malaysia, 1999 to 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 5. Malaysia’s Merchandise Exports by Major Trading Partner . . . . . . . . 17
Table 6. Malaysia’s Merchandise Imports by Major Trading Partner . . . . . . . . 18


The Proposed U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade
Agreement
Recent Developments
! September 18, 2006. The third round of negotiations in Malaysia
were postponed to October 30 because of a change in the lead
Malaysian negotiator.
! Government procurement restrictions that reserve a certain share for
ethnic Malays reportedly are emerging as a major sticking point in
the negotiations.
! July 17-21, 2006. The second round of negotiations were held.
Twenty-two negotiating groups met in Washington and discussed
issues and draft texts.
Introduction
On March 8, 2006, the U.S. Trade Representative announced and notified
Congress of the Administration’s intent to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA)
with Malaysia. The goal of the proposed FTA is to remove tariffs and non-tariff
barriers and expand trade between the two nations. The first round of negotiations
were held June 12-16, 2006, in Malaysia with a total of five rounds scheduled for
2006. The two countries announced that they are seeking to complete the talks by the
end of 2006 in order to send the proposed implementing legislation to Congress in
the spring of 2007 and have Congress consider it before the administration’s Trade
Promotion Authority expires on July 1, 2007, but they later indicated that they would
not rush into concluding the FTA just to meet the deadline.1 This would be the third
FTA negotiation with a Southeast Asian nation following the U.S.-Singapore FTA
that came into effect on January 1, 2004, and a proposed U.S.-Thailand FTA whose
negotiations now are stalled. The United States is also negotiating a proposed FTA
1 U.S. Trade Representative. United States, Malaysia Announce Intention to Negotiate Free
Trade Agreement. USTR Press Release, March 8, 2006. U.S., Malaysia Launch FTA Talks,
Seek to Complete Pact by End of Year. International Trade Reporter, Vol. 23, No. 10,
March 9, 2006. P. 344. Malaysia, US Agree Not to Rush Into Signing FTA. Financial
Times Information, Thai Press Reports. August 25, 2006.

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with South Korea. On May 10, 2004, the United States and Malaysia signed a Trade
and Investment Framework Agreement.2
Figure 1. Map of Malaysia
Malaysia and
PHILIPPINES
G u l f o f
Singapore
S u l u
S e a
T h a i l a n d
VIETNAM
0
50 100 Miles
0
50 100 KM
S o u t h C h i n a
S e a
St ra i t of
MALAYSIA
BRUNEI
Mal a cc a
Kepulauan
Natuna
(INDONESIA)
C e l e b e s
S e a
MALAYSIA
Sumatra
I
N
D
O
N
E
S
I
A
Source: Map Resources. Adapted by CRS. (K.Yancey 5/13/04)
The proposed FTA is expected to be comprehensive and similar to that signed
with Singapore. It would include a
phasing out of tariffs on imports from
each country, further opening of service
Malaysia
sectors, and greater freedom for
Area: 127,316 sq. mi., slightly larger than
Americans to invest in the rapidly
New Mexico.
industrializing Malaysian economy.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
U.S. industries are particularly
Population: 25.6 million.
interested in greater market access in
Annual Economic Growth Rate: 5.3% in
the automotive, financial services, and
2005
agricultural sectors and in improving
Ethnic groups: Malay 50.8%, Chinese
23.8%, Indigenous 10.9%, Indian 7.1%
protection of intellectual property rights
Religions: Islam (60.4%), Buddhism
in Malaysia.
(19.2%), Christianity (9.1%)
Government: Federal parliamentary
The proposed U.S.-Malaysia FTA
democracy with a constitutional monarch.
is of interest to Congress because (1) it
After becoming independent in 1957,
requires congressional approval under
Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore
expedited legislative procedures; (2) it
formed Malaysia in 1963. Singapore
would continue the trend toward greater
became an independent country in 1965.
trade liberalization and globalization;
Prime Minister: Abdullah bin Ahmad
(3) it may include controversial
Badawi
provisions; and (4) it would affect
GDP per capita: $5,083 in 2005
Currency: 3.6 Ringgit = $1. Peg to the
certain trade flows that would, in turn,
dollar removed in 2005 and replaced with
affect U.S. businesses or farmers,
a managed float.
p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t - co m p et i n g
Trade: The United States is Malaysia’s
industries and those exporting to
largest trading partner. Malaysia is the
Malaysia.
tenth largest U.S. trading partner.
2 Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. United States and Malaysia Sign Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement. Press Release. May 10, 2004.

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Some of the initial response to the USTR’s FTA announcement included a
statement by Senator Max Baucus welcoming the agreement but urging the
negotiators to address Malaysia’s continued ban on bone-in beef and statements by
Representatives Jim Kolbe and Dan Burton hailing the launch of the negotiations.3
The National Association of Manufacturers indicated that it has been a leading
advocate of an FTA with Malaysia, and a US-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Business Coalition was organized on March 8, 2006.4 Objections to the proposed
FTA have come from some groups in Malaysia and from U.S. labor interests.5
The expiration of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) in the United States on July
1, 2007, places a tight deadline on the negotiation of this proposed FTA. The
countries announced that they will seek to complete the talks by the end of 2006 in
order to send the proposed implementing legislation to Congress in the spring of
2007. TPA requires that Congress be notified of its intent to sign an agreement 90
days prior to the actual signing. Therefore, the FTA would have to be finalized
before April 2, 2007. FTA negotiations, however, can take longer than initially
anticipated. For example, the United States and Thailand agreed on October 19,
2003 to begin negotiations on an FTA. Currently, the negotiations are stalled, and
the two sides are still wide apart on a number of sensitive issues.6 Negotiations for
the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement were launched under the Clinton
Administration in December 2000 with the hope of signing the agreement within a
few months. The agreement was signed by President Bush nearly three years later
on September 4, 2003.
This report provides a brief overview of Malaysia, a review of U.S. interests, an
examination of possible issues likely to arise during the negotiations, a comparison
of tariff rates between the two countries, and legislative activity with policy options.
3 Office of Senator Max Baucus. Baucus Welcomes Launch of U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade
Talks, Press Release, March 8, 2006. Office of Congressman Jim Kolbe. Kolbe Hails Free
Trade Negotiations with Malaysia, Press Release, March 9, 2006. Office of Congressman
Dan Burton. Vice-Chairman Burton Comments on the Launch of the United States-
Malaysia Free Trade Agreement, March 7, 2006.
4 National Association of Manufacturers. Testimony of Christopher Wenk before the Trade
Policy Staff Committee, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, on “Proposed United
States-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement,” May 3, 2006. The Secretariat for the US-Malaysia
Free Trade Agreement Business Coalition is the US-ASEAN Business Council. The
coalition is co-chaired by American International Group, Cargill, Citigroup, Discovery
Communications, Federal Express, General Electric, Intel, and Oracle. Its members include
3M; AdvaMed, AeA (American Electronics Association); Agilent; American Standard
Companies; AT&T; Bankers Association for Finance and Trade; Barbour, Griffith and
Rogers; LLC; Boeing; BrooksBowerAsia, LLC; Caterpillar; Chubb; Cisco Systems;
Distilled Spirits Council; IBM; International Association of Drilling Contractors; Johnson
& Johnson; Nathan Associates; Principal International; Samuels International; TDRS; Time
Warner; United Parcel Service; and United Technologies Corporation.
5 Heong, Chee Yoke. “Malaysians Question US Free-trade deal.” Asia Times (Online
edition) April 27, 2006.
6 CRS Report RL32314, U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement Negotiations, by Raymond
J. Ahearn and Wayne M. Morrison.

CRS-4
It also includes a brief chronology and import and export data, including U.S. exports
to Malaysia by sector and exports to Malaysia by state.
The Malaysian Economy
Malaysia is a rapidly industrializing country, a member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and a nation with a majority Muslim population
of 25.6 million people. Malaysia’s government is a federal parliamentary democracy
with a constitutional monarch.
Malaysia’s $131 billion economy and $5,083 per capita GDP make it a market
considerably larger than most of the countries that have recently negotiated free trade
agreements with the United States (particularly Singapore, Bahrain, Oman, Morocco,
and countries of central America). It is a mid-size market more in the range of
Australia and South Korea. In 2005, Malaysia was the tenth largest trading partner
of the United States with $44.1 billion in two-way trade. This included $10.4 billion
in U.S. goods exported to Malaysia and $33.7 billion in imports from that country.
The United States exported more to Malaysia than it did to Israel, Ireland, or India
and three times as much as it sold to Russia. Malaysia is the top U.S. market for
exports of integrated circuits with $4.7 billion sent there in 2005. California and
Texas each export nearly $2 billion worth of electronics and other high-technology
goods to Malaysia each year. Malaysia also is a large purchaser of machinery,
optical/medical instruments, and aircraft.7 In 2005, U.S. businesses invested $1.4
billion (up from $0.3 billion in 2004) in the Malaysian economy.8 For Malaysia, the
United States is its largest trading partner and largest foreign investor.
Table 1. Selected Indicators for the Malaysian Economy
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Growth in Real GDP
(% per year)
8.9
0.3
4.4
5.4
7.1
5.3
Nominal GDP
($billion)
90
88
95
104
118
131
Nominal GDP per
Capita ($)
3,881
3,697
3,920
4,196
4,688
5,083
Inflation Rate (%
change in CPI)
1.6
1.4
1.8
1.1
1.4
3.0
Exports ($Million)
98,430
87,981
94,343
104,729
126,642
141,781
Imports ($Million)
77,602
69,598
75,365
79,002
99,149
108,390
Trade Balance
20,827
18,383
18,978
25,727
27,493
33,391
Source: Global Insight, Malaysia Interim Annual Forecast, April 7, 2006.
7 World Trade Atlas using Department of Commerce data for 2005.
8 Bernma. Increase in U.S. Investments in M’sia Reflects Growing Confidence.
BizNewsDatabank, February 28, 2006. [http://www.biznewsdb.com]

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Interests, Benefits and Potential Opposition
Malaysia plays into U.S. interests through its economy and trade, its role in
countering radical Islamic terrorism; the example it sets as a democratic secular
Muslim state; its position as a member of ASEAN, Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation, and other multilateral fora; its shared interest in dealing with a rising
China; and its shared interest in securing a safe shipping channel through the Strait
of Malacca.
The proposed FTA also is part of the Bush Administration’s strategy to press
for regional and bilateral trade initiatives in order to “ignite a new era of global
economic growth through free markets and free trade.” This is a component of the
U.S. national security strategy.9 It also is in accord with the Enterprise for ASEAN
Initiative, a trade initiative of the Bush Administration in which the United States has
offered the prospect of FTAs with members of ASEAN committed to economic
reforms and openness. In a broader sense, a U.S.-Malaysia FTA would be a step
toward realization of APEC’s “Bogor Vision,” under which the United States and
APEC’s other 21 members are working toward “free and open trade in the Pacific.”10
With the Doha Round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organization
(WTO) stalled, some see FTAs as a fallback position should the WTO talks fail.
When announcing the proposed negotiations, the U.S. Trade Representative
listed four major goals associated with a U.S.-Malaysia FTA. These were: (1) to
create new opportunities for U.S. manufacturers, farmers, and service providers; (2)
to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and generate high-paying jobs; (3) to strengthen
U.S. economic partnerships in the region; and (4) to advance broader U.S. strategic
goals.11 Other benefits mentioned for the proposed FTA include (5) to cement a
vibrant U.S.-Malaysia economic relationship; (6) to increase U.S. exports; (7) to
diversify U.S. exports; (8) to increase investment; (9) to increase the sharing of
knowledge and know-how between American companies and Malaysian companies;
(10) to enhance economic growth and job creation; and (11) to lower costs and create
more competitive companies.12
A U.S.-Malaysia FTA also would keep the U.S. economy linked to the dynamic
economies of Southeast Asia. Malaysia already has FTAs with Indonesia, Brunei,
Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam under the ASEAN free trade area. It has
FTAs with South Korea and Pakistan and is negotiating them with Australia, New
Zealand, China, and Japan. The USTR has also indicated that in the proposed FTA,
the U.S. government is hoping to further build the trading relationship with Malaysia
9 The White House. National Security Strategy of the United States. March 2006, part VI.
10 See CRS Report RL31038, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Free Trade, and
the 2005 Summit in Busan, Korea
, by Emma Chanlett-Avery.
11 Office of the United States Trade Representative. Free Trade Agreement: U.S.-Malaysia.
Trade Facts, March 2006.
12 Remarks by Ambassador Karan K. Bhatia, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Press
Conference on the U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March
17, 2006.

CRS-6
as well as broader bilateral relations with a country that has been on the “forefront
of Asia’s economic transformation and is a leader in the region and beyond.” The
USTR hopes that this FTA will strengthen U.S. cooperation with Malaysia in
multilateral and regional fora, reinforce a strong U.S.-ASEAN relationship, and
advance U.S. commercial and strategic interests in Asia.13
As a moderate, democratic Muslim nation, Malaysia plays a strategic role in
U.S. foreign policy. In 2005, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi urged
Muslims around the world to guard against extremism and improve ties with the
West while promoting his nation’s moderate version of Islam.14 The U.S.
government hopes that the proposed FTA will reinforce the shared interests of the
United States and Malaysia, promote common values, and facilitate cooperation in
counter-terrorism, defense, counter-narcotics, education, and in other areas.15
Malaysia (along with Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia) also plays a key role in
protecting vital maritime shipping lanes in the Strait of Malacca from pirates and
terrorism.
In the United States, opposition to previous FTAs often has revolved around so-
called “blue and green” (labor and the environment) issues. Anti-globalization forces
also have come into play as well as efforts to protect import-sensitive industries in
each country from import competition. Specific situations unique to Malaysia also
may appear as the negotiations progress. With the U.S.-Singapore FTA, for example,
market access for chewing gum, business visas, and capital controls generated
considerable controversy.
With respect to labor interests, the AFL-CIO opposes additional FTAs in
general. Its position is that the Bush Administration has launched or concluded
bilateral free trade agreements that include no enforceable protections for core
workers’ rights, move “backwards from previous accords on workers’ rights, and
contain many of the same flawed rules that have worsened our trade deficit” under
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).16 Labor organizations also are
interested in ensuring that labor laws in the bilateral trading partner country are
brought up to International Labor Organization (ILO) standards and that a dispute
settlement or enforcement mechanism is included in agreements that would preclude
partner countries from reversing labor gains or weakening labor laws following
13 Weisel, Barbara. Opening Remarks, Public Hearing, U.S.-Malaysia FTA, Washington,
DC, May 3, 2006.
14 “Malaysia PM Abdullah Warns Muslims Against Extremism.” Voice of America.
January 27, 2005. See also CRS Report RL31672, Terrorism in Southeast Asia, by Bruce
Vaughn (Coordinator), Emma Chanlett-Avery, Thomas Lum, Mark Manyin, and Larry
Niksch.
15 Weisel, Barbara. Opening Remarks, May 3, 2006. Op cit.
16 AFL-CIO. Issue Brief: The Bush Record on Shipping Jobs Overseas. August 2004. See
also: Testimony of Thea M. Lee, Policy Director, American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), before the House of Representatives
Committee on Ways and Means, Hearing on the Implementation of the United States-
Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, September 29, 2005.

CRS-7
congressional approval and implementation of their respective FTAs.17 As for labor
conditions in Malaysia, most workers have the right to engage in trade union activity.
As of September 2004, 9% of the labor force was represented by the 617 trade
unions.18
Opposition to an FTA also may arise from other interests. For example, Public
Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, states that the FTA with
Central America is “based on the same failed neoliberal NAFTA model, which has
caused the ‘race to the bottom’ in labor and environmental standards and promotes
privatization and deregulation of key public services.” 19
Another possible issue could be Malaysia’s relations with Israel. Although
Malaysia is not a member of the League of Arab States, it shares much of the
anti-Zionist ideology of the League countries and currently does not have diplomatic
relations with Israel. In 2004, Malaysia reported imports from Israel of $1,878 and
no exports there.
In recent congressional consideration of FTAs, opposition concerns have been
addressed either in the implementing legislation or by securing various commitments
in writing from the Administration. For example, in congressional consideration of
the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-
CAFTA), the Bush Administration assuaged opposition from labor, sugar, and textile
interests by promising certain actions to ameliorate adverse effects of the proposed
FTA. In a letter, the Administration promised to allocate $40 million of fiscal 2006
foreign operations appropriations for “labor and environmental enforcement capacity
building assistance,” and to continue to request this level of funding in budgets for
fiscal years 2007 through 2009. The Administration also stated that it would not
allow the DR-CAFTA to interfere with the operation of the sugar program through
FY2007 as the program is defined in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002. For the textile and apparel interests, promises were made related to rules of
origin, stricter customs enforcement with respect to Mexican inputs used in DR-
CAFTA textile and apparel products, and actions to increase use of U.S. fabric.20
In Malaysia, the Ministry of Trade and Industry headed by Hon. Dato’ Seri
Rafidah Azizis is leading the negotiations. The Ministry lists as its FTA objectives
to: (1) seek better market access for Malaysian goods and services; (2) further
facilitate and promote bilateral trade and investment flows as well as economic
development; (3) enhance the competitiveness of Malaysian producers and exporters
17 See, for example, Testimony of Thea M. Lee, Policy Director, AFL-CIO, before the
Subcommittee on International Trade of the Senate Committee on Finance in a Hearing on
the Implementation of the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement, March 6, 2006.
18 U.S. Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices — 2005, Malaysia
. March 8, 2006.
19 Public Citizen. Global Trade Watch. CAFTA: Part of the FTAA Puzzle.
[http://www.citizen.org/trade/cafta]
20 See CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
, by J. F. Hornbeck.

CRS-8
through collaboration; and (4) build capacity in specific targeted areas thorough
technical cooperation. The Ministry also views the proposed FTA as comprehensive
and covering liberalization of the goods and services sector; trade and investment
promotion and facilitation activities; investment protection; economic and technical
cooperation programs; and having appropriate flexibility to facilitate development
objectives.21 The Ministry also noted that it would seek “flexibility and longer
phase-in periods for sensitive sectors.”22
Most of the recent FTAs negotiated by the United States have been with
relatively small countries with governments that wield considerable power over
domestic opposition. Those governments have been able to push the agreements
through despite resistance by import competing industries or other local interests. In
the case of Thailand, however, opposition forces have stalled the negotiations
through street protests organized by a coalition of Thai groups representing AIDS
patients, consumers, farmers, health activists, and human rights organizations. The
most controversial issues reportedly have been liberalization of the agricultural sector
and intellectual property rights — particularly with respect to pharmaceuticals.
AIDS and other patients claim that stricter enforcement of patents on drugs would
make their treatments prohibitively expensive compared with use of currently
available generics or copies of patented drugs.23 The same issues could be raised in
Malaysia.
Tariff Rates
FTAs negotiated by the United States usually provide for tariff free trade
between the two countries with a phase-in period for sensitive sectors. With
Malaysia, some trade already is free. Both the United States and Malaysia participate
in the Information Technology Agreement24 (ITA) under which tariffs on
semiconductors and other information technology products are bound at zero. The
majority of current U.S. exports to Malaysia are covered by this agreement.
Semiconductors and parts for computers alone account for more than half of U.S.
exports to Malaysia. Therefore, tariffs are not a barrier to most U.S. products
currently sold to Malaysia. An FTA, however, would open markets artificially
restricted by tariff and non-tariff barriers. Many of the more competitive U.S.
21 Malaysia. Ministry of Trade and Industry. Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement. Media
Release. May 3, 2006.
22 Malaysia. Ministry of Trade and Industry. “Joint Announcement To Launch Negotiations
For A Malaysia United States Free Trade Agreement, 8 March 2006, Washington D.C.”
Media Release, March 13, 2006.
23 Phanayanggoor, Preeyanat. “NESAC Urges Caution over US FTA Talks,” Bangkok Post,
April 17, 2006.
24 See World Trade Organization discussion of the Information Technology Agreement at
[http://www.wto.org/English/tratop_e/inftec_e/inftec_e.htm].

CRS-9
exports face relatively high duties in Malaysia. These include products such as motor
vehicles and parts, off-road dumpers, polyethylene, motorcycles, and adhesives.25
Measuring the degree of protection provided by tariff barriers is a complicated
process, since each country has thousands of products each with a tariff rate that
depends on the category of exporter. Average rates, therefore, will differ depending
on how they are calculated. The two types of averages most often cited are the most
favored nation (MFN) rates and the average applied rates.
Average MFN Tariff Rates
The MFN rates apply to most countries and all members of the World Trade
Organization. U.S. exporters face these rates unless they have been reduced by a
special arrangement, such as the Generalized System of Preferences26 or Information
Technology Agreement. The average MFN rates are simple averages of all tariff
lines. On an MFN basis, Malaysia’s average tariff rate at 8.1% is nearly twice the
4.9% of the United States. Under an FTA, if each country reduces its tariff rates to
zero, U.S. exporters would stand to gain more than their Malaysian counterparts,
since Malaysian rates are considerably higher than those in the United States.
U.S. exporters shipping non-information technology products to Malaysia pay
MFN tariff rates if the products originate in the United States. As noted above, on
an MFN basis, Malaysia’s average tariff rate is 8.1% while that of the United States
is 4.9%. Table 2 shows the average and range of U.S. and Malaysian MFN tariff
rates by major commodity category as classified under the Harmonized System. Both
the United States and Malaysia have peaks in tariff rates on certain products.
Both Malaysia and the United States protect their agricultural sector. Although
Malaysia’s average MFN tariff rate for agricultural products at 3.2% is lower than the
9.7% of the United States, Malaysia maintains high rates on items of interest to U.S.
agriculture. The Malaysian tariff rate for grains averages 15.2% and rice is at 40%,
oranges and apples at 15% to 20%, and wheat flour at 96%. Prepared food is subject
to tariffs of 5% to 30%. Beef enters the country at 15% but pork faces a 139% tariff
and ham 168%. The tariff is 25% on yogurt, 10 to 25% on chocolate products, and
20% on baby food. For the United States, the upper range for agricultural products
is a 350% tariff on imports of tobacco products that exceed the import quota.
Tobacco products within the quota face a 12.1% tariff rate. In recent years, the
tobacco quota has not been filled, so the 350% rate has not been applied.
25 Wenk, Christopher. Testimony on the Proposed United States-Malaysia Free Trade
Agreement For the Trade Policy Staff Committee, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
May 3, 2006.
26 Malaysia does not qualify for GSP treatment.

CRS-10
Table 2. Average and Range of Malaysian and U.S. Most
Favored Nation Tariff Rates
Malaysia’s Tariff Rates
U.S. Tariff Rates
(2005)
(2004)
No. of
Average Range
No. of Average Range
Lines
(%)
(%)
lines
(%)
(%)
Total
10,581 8.1
0-60
10,304
4.9
0-350
Agricultural products
1,202 3.2
0-40
1,611
9.7
0-350
Live animals and products
thereof
142
0.8
0-20
140
4.2
0-100
Dairy products
40
6.1
0-25
166
26.1
0-284
Coffee and tea, cocoa,
sugar, etc.
209
4.1
0-25
314
11.6
0-159
Cut flowers and plants
46
0.0
0-0
60
1.5
0-6.8
Fruit and vegetables
302
3.9
0-30
437
6.3
0-132
Grains
21
15.2
0-40
21
1.5
0-11
Oils seeds, fats, oil and
their products
197
2.0
0-20
92
6.0
0-164
Beverages and spirits
81
6.4
0-30
100
6.1
0-107
Tobacco
19
5.0
5-5
47
56.4
0-350
Other agricultural products,
n.e.s.
145
1.3
0-25
234
1.9
0-62
Non-agricultural
products (excl. petrol.)

9,349 8.7
0-60
8,665
4.0
0-58
Fish and fishery products
188
3.2
0-20
193
2.0
0-35
Mineral products, precious
stones, etc.
416
10.4
0-60
530
3.3
0-38
Metals
1,061 17.5
0-50
1,011
1.9
0-26
Chemicals and
photographic supplies
1,481
5.1
0-50
1,834
3.7
0-6
Leather, rubber, footwear,
travel goods
397
13.1
0-40
389
6.9
0-58
Wood, pulp, paper and
furniture
2,370 2.5
0-40
508
0.7
0-14
Textiles and clothing
1,176
12.6
0-30
1,651
9.0
0-38
Transport equipment
461
25.8
0-50
228
2.6
0-25
Non-electric machinery
735
6.3
0-35
853
1.3
0-10
Electric machinery
438
9.5
0-50
558
2.1
0-15
Non-agric products, n.e.s.
626
6.3
0-50
910
3.0
0-39
Petroleum
30
0.5
0-5
28
2.2
0-7
By sectora
-Agriculture and fisheries
1,655
0.4
0-40
492
5.7
0-350

CRS-11
Malaysia’s Tariff Rates
U.S. Tariff Rates
(2005)
(2004)
No. of
Average Range
No. of Average Range
Lines
(%)
(%)
lines
(%)
(%)
-Mining
124
1.0
0-30
121
0.4
0-10
-Manufacturing
8,801 9.6
0-60
9,690
4.9
0-350
-excluding food processing
7,904 10.2
0-60
By stage of processing
First stage of processing
2,054
0.9
0-40
964
3.7
0-350
Semi-processed products
3,482
9
0-60
3,392
4.3
0-159
Fully-processed products
5,045
10.4
0-60
5,948
5.4
0-350
Source: World Trade Organization calculations, based on data provided by the Malaysian and U.S.
authorities. See Trade Policy Review — Report by Malaysia, WT/TPR/G/156, December 12, 2005,
and Trade Policy Review — Report by the United States, WT/TPR/S/160, February 15, 2006.
Note: Calculations exclude specific rates and include the ad valorem part of alternate and compound
rates. The tariff is based on HS02 nomenclature. The number of lines refers to the number of
individual lines in the list of tariffs for each country.
a. International Standard Industrial (Rev.2) classification. Electricity, gas, and water are excluded.
The threat of an FTA generating a surge in agricultural imports from Malaysia
seems small, since the country currently exports few agricultural products either to
the world or to the United States. In 2004, for example, Malaysia exported to the
world a total of $106 million in dairy products, $88 million in sugar, and $225
million in tobacco products.27 Malaysia does not have a significant sugar industry,
a politically sensitive industry in the United States.
In non-agricultural products (excluding petroleum), Malaysia’s average MFN
tariff rate is 8.7% as compared with 4.0% in the United States. The ranges of tariff
rates are similar. In Malaysian sectors where the government is fostering the growth
of industry, however, the rates are particularly high. In transport equipment, in
particular, the average Malaysia tariff of 25.6% is nearly ten times the U.S. rate of
2.6%. In non-electrical machinery, a sector in which both countries currently export
to each other, the Malaysia tariff rate at 9.5% is four times the U.S. rate of 2.1%.
Similarly, in electrical machinery the Malaysia rate of 6.3% is double the U.S. rate
of 3.0%. The Malaysian rate, however, can reach 35% for some items. Most
industrial machinery enters Malaysia at 5% to 30%. Boilers and engines enter at 5%,
but air conditioners and refrigerators enter at 30%.
Average Applied Tariff Rates
Applied average tariff rates are derived by dividing the amount of customs
duties collected by the value of imports. These rates are somewhat lower than the
27 United Nations Trade Database (SITC Rev.3) accessed via the U.S. Department of
Commerce’s Trade Policy Information System.

CRS-12
MFN rates because items with high rates might not be imported at all (so no tariffs
are paid) and because Malaysia is part of the ASEAN FTA and also has FTAs with
other nations. The FTA partners pay lower or no tariffs on their exports to Malaysia.
This lowers Malaysia’s average applied tariff rate. Still, average applied tariff rates
are good indicators of the level of tariff protection and may be useful for American
multinational corporations with subsidiaries located in various countries of the world.
For Malaysia, the average applied tariff rate of 8.4% is more than twice the U.S.
average rate of 3.7%.28 For all industrial goods, the applied rate is 9.1% in Malaysia
as compared with 3.7% in the United States. Table 3 shows Malaysian applied tariff
rates by industrial sector.
Table 3. U.S. and Malaysian Average Applied Tariffs on
Industrial Goods
(Percent)
Industrial Category
Malaysia
United States
All Industrial Goods
9.1
3.7
Wood, pulp, paper, and furniture
10.9
0.7
Textiles and clothing
13.5
9.6
Leather, rubber, footwear, and travel goods
14.0
4.3
Metals
9.3
2.1
Chemicals and photographic supplies
3.6
3.4
Transport equipment
18.5
3.2
Non-electric machinery
3.7
1.2
Electric machinery
6.7
1.9
Mineral products and precious stones
8.8
2.0
Manufactured articles not specified
5.1
2.5
Fish and fish products
2.4
1.1
Source: U.S. Trade Representative. Free Trade Agreement: U.S. and Malaysia, Economic and
Strategic Benefits, March 8, 2006.
Possible Issues
Free trade agreements reduce artificial barriers to trade and investment and,
thereby, change existing parameters that generate opportunities for making profits or
exerting market power. In addition to eliminating tariffs on both sides, FTAs usually
also eliminate or reduce import quotas and other non-tariff barriers to trade. They
also usually provide access to services, open markets for investment, contain
provisions strengthening protection of intellectual property, address certain types of
28 Office of the United States Trade Representative. “Free Trade Agreement: U.S. and
Malaysia, Economic and Strategic Benefits.” Power Point presentation. March 8, 2006.
[http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2006/asset_upload_file802_
9121.pdf]

CRS-13
government regulations and practices, provide for a dispute settlement process, and
can touch on issues such as business visas, competition policy, and a variety of
policies or practices that affect economic activity. FTAs create gainers and losers as
border barriers and government strictures are lessened. In general, the ones who gain
tend to be exporters, investors, and consumers, while those who lose tend to be in
import competing industries and those opposed to greater economic activity in
specific areas. For import-sensitive sectors, the length of phase-out periods for
existing protective measures can be a focus of dispute.
The U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. business interests have identified
certain specific issues related to the potential U.S.-Malaysia FTA that are likely to
require attention in the negotiations. These include intellectual property rights,
automobiles, services, government procurement, and capital controls. Other issues
may arise as the negotiations progress.
Intellectual Property Rights
An issue of interest to U.S. exporters is Malaysian enforcement of intellectual
property rights (IPR). Malaysia has recently tightened its laws on and stepped up
enforcement of protection of intellectual property, but problems still remain. The
International Intellectual Property Association (IIPA) estimated 2004 industry losses
in Malaysia due to piracy at $188 million. IIPA estimated 2004 piracy rates at 63%
for business software, 52% for music, and 50% for movies.
Malaysia has remained on the Special 301 Watch List since October 2001 as
part of an effort by the USTR to monitor Malaysia’s efforts to improve its IPR
regime. In its 2006 Special 301 Report, the USTR stated that Malaysia has made
some significant improvements in IPR protection and enforcement but still has some
serious deficiencies. IPR enforcement improvements during 2005 included
conducting raids against pirate optical disc production facilities, seizing pirate goods
and machinery used to produce pirate materials, arresting IPR infringers, and
revoking or declining to renew licenses for pirate optical disc facilities. The USTR
also stated that trademark counterfeiting, including those of pharmaceuticals, is
rampant in Malaysia and that these issues are to be addressed in the FTA
negotiations.29
Opposition to the FTA negotiations has appeared in Malaysia among interests
related to the treatment of AIDS. The concern reportedly is that the FTA may
involve patent and data exclusivity issues that could affect access to “affordable”
anti-retroviral AIDS drugs. In their view, since the government now imports generic
versions of such drugs from India, stricter enforcement of drug patents could
discourage pharmaceutical companies from introducing new anti-retroviral drugs in
Malaysia.30
29 See U.S. Trade Representative. 2006 Special 301 Report, April 28, 2006.
30 Dass, Maria J. Groups Worried Over FTA with US. Sun2Surf.com, Malaysia.
September 11, 2006.

CRS-14
Automobiles
Malaysia has a booming automobile industry. Malaysia has long protected its
automobile manufacturing industry from foreign competition using high tariffs and
non-tariff trade barriers. Government policies also distinguish between national cars
(i.e., made by domestic producers, Proton and Perodua) and non-national cars, which
include most vehicles manufactured in Malaysia by non-Malaysian owned firms.
The firms making national cars, for example, receive 50% rebates on their excise
taxes. Ethnic Malays (not Malaysians of Chinese or other ethnic origin) also are
favored in receiving permits to import or distribute motor vehicles. The government
has, however, begun to dismantle some of its protections in order to meet its
commitments to the WTO and the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. In January 2004,
the government completely eliminated local content requirements that were
inconsistent with its obligations under the WTO, but government policies
(particularly its excise taxes on automobiles) continue to block open trade in the
automotive sector. Malaysia imposes 30% tariffs on assembled vehicles from outside
the ASEAN region and up to 10% on completely knocked-down vehicle kits. Excise
taxes on both assembled vehicles and kits are 80-200% on automobiles, 55-160% on
multipurpose vehicles, and 10-50% on motorcycles.31
The United States currently maintains a special 25% tariff on imports of pickup
trucks. Malaysia is likely to raise this issue during negotiations on access in the
automotive sector. In a May 2006 hearing, a representative of the U.S. Automotive
Trade Policy Council (representing the U.S. big three automakers) said the Council
supports the proposed FTA and sees it as an opportunity to break into a market that
has historically protected domestic producers and discriminated against foreign
manufacturers.32
Services
Financial services also could be a difficult issue to resolve in the upcoming
negotiations. Malaysia limits foreign ownership to 30% of commercial banks and
49% of investment banks. Foreign commercial banks also are allowed to open new
branches only if they also add other branches as directed by Bank Negara, Malaysia’s
central Bank. Malaysia maintains a 51% cap on foreign ownership of insurance
companies already established in Malaysia prior to 1998 as well as a foreign
ownership limit of 30% for new entrants seeking access. Apparently Malaysia has
not actually enforced the 51% cap except in cases of companies who seek the right
to establish branches.33 In the lead-up to the launch of the FTA negotiations,
Malaysia reportedly attempted to keep financial services, a sensitive sector for the
nation, out of the negotiations completely, but the country did agree to include such
31 U.S. Trade Representative. 2006 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade
Barriers
, March 31, 2006. Section on Malaysia.
32 “Administration Hears Industry Input on Priorities for Malaysia FTA,” Washington Trade
Daily
(Online edition), May 5, 2006.
33 U.S. to Face Difficulties on Financial Services in Malaysia FTA Talks, Inside U.S. Trade,
March 10, 2006.

CRS-15
services in the FTA talks. Malaysia, however, has lifted requirements that foreign
banks obtain 50% of their credit from local banks, has allowed them to seek any
amount of ringgit (domestic currency) credit without approval, has allowed the
ringgit exchange value to float rather than be strictly pegged to the dollar, and
allowed foreign banks to open four additional branches in 2006.34
In telecommunications, foreign companies are allowed to acquire up to a 30%
equity stake in existing fixed line operations. Value-added telecommunications
service suppliers likewise are limited to 30% foreign equity. These restrictions
arguably benefit the government-controlled firm, Telekom Malaysia.35
Licensed professionals, such as lawyers and architects, also are restricted in
Malaysia. Foreign lawyers may not practice Malaysian law nor affiliate with local
firms. Foreign law firms may take an operating stake of up to 30% in a local law
firm. A foreign architectural firm may operate in Malaysia only as a joint venture
participant in a specific project, and foreign architects may not be licensed in
Malaysia. Foreign engineers may be licensed only for specific projects. Foreign
accounting firms must work through Malaysian affiliates.36
In services, the United States has used the negative list approach in determining
which sectors are excluded from the agreement. The FTA covers all service sectors
unless explicitly listed in the agreement. The negative list of sectors closed to foreign
investment, for example, may include airports, social insurance, or other sectors that
are run by governments or have special security requirements. Other countries often
opt for a positive list approach in which service sectors are excluded unless listed in
the agreement.
Government Procurement
Malaysia also is not a signatory of the WTO Government Procurement
Agreement. As part of its program to raise the participation of bumiputera (ethnic
Malays) in the economy, foreign companies, in most cases, are required to take on
a local partner before their bids are considered. The awarding process for
procurement contracts also is considered to be non-transparent.37
After the second round of negotiations in July 2006, it became apparent that
Malaysian government procurement restrictions that reserve a certain share of
Malaysian business for ethnic Malays were emerging as a major sticking point in the
34 U.S. Trade Representative. 2006 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade
Barriers
, March 31, 2006. Section on Malaysia.
35 Ibid.
36 Ibid.
37 Ibid.

CRS-16
negotiations. Malaysian negotiators reportedly had not been authorized by the
Malaysian cabinet to agree to an opening of the government procurement market.38
Capital Controls
Malaysia has lifted most of the controls on capital it imposed during the 1997-
98 Asian financial crisis. The purpose of the controls was to keep capital,
particularly funds invested in securities or in businesses from being taken out of the
country (or converted to dollars) during the crisis. Concern remains, however, about
a future crisis and whether a U.S. investor would be able to repatriate capital. Both
the U.S.-Singapore and U.S.-Chile FTAs had provisions that addressed this issue
primarily by allowing an investor who is harmed by such controls to sue for damages.
Trade Flows
Table 4 shows U.S. exports to, imports from, and the balance of merchandise
trade with Malaysia from 1999 to 2005. U.S. exports to Malaysia have remained
steady at about $10 billion per year. U.S. imports, however, have grown by more
than 50% since 1999. This has caused the U.S. trade deficit with Malaysia to nearly
double from $12 billion in 1999 to $23 billion in 2005. Since the proposed FTA
would lower Malaysia’s higher trade barriers, it may result in relatively more gains
by U.S. exporters and a lower bilateral trade deficit (although the overall U.S. trade
deficit may not change).
Table 4. U.S. Trade with Malaysia, 1999 to 2005
(Million Dollars)
Year
U.S. Exports
U.S. Imports
U.S. Balance
1999
9,079.04
21,428.63
-12,349.59
2000
10,995.68
25,568.27
-14,572.59
2001
9,380.16
22,336.40
-12,956.24
2002
10,348.15
24,009.83
-13,661.68
2003
10,920.57
25,437.68
-14,517.11
2004
10,896.75
28,185.05
-17,288.30
2005
10,450.92
33,703.16
-23,252.23
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
The United States is Malaysia’s top export market. As shown in Table 5,
according to Malaysian export data, out of a total of $126.3 billion exported in 2004,
38 Government Procurement Emerging as Major Problem in U.S.-Malaysia FTA. Inside US
Trade
, September 1, 2006.

CRS-17
Malaysia sold $23.8 billion to the United States ($28.2 billion by U.S. figures), $19.0
billion to Singapore, and $12.8 billion to Japan. Malaysian exports to China have
been rising rapidly and reached $8.5 billion in 2004.
FTAs usually have several distinct effects on trade flows. They tend to divert
export and import trade toward the countries involved, but they also can create more
trade overall by the economic inefficiencies (trade barriers) they eliminate. For
example, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has tended to divert
some trade from Asia to North America. Certain U.S. importers have turned to
suppliers in Mexico rather than buying from Asia, and some manufacturers from Asia
have relocated to Mexico to take advantage there of tariff-free access to the North
American market. At the same time, the existence of a barrier-free North American
market has tended to generate business efficiencies as companies gain from
economies of large-scale production and distribution. This has tended to create more
trade overall.39 FTAs also can cause a substitution effect as imports are substituted
for domestic production. In that case, import-competing industries may suffer and
may require assistance to adjust to increased competition from imports.
Table 5. Malaysia’s Merchandise Exports by Major Trading
Partner
(Million Dollars)
Partner
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
World Total
98,135
87,923
93,961
104,575
126,341
United States
20,159
17,816
19,520
20,504
23,748
Singapore
18,046
14,913
15,929
16,444
18,994
Japan
12,834
11,711
10,449
11,186
12,777
China
3,028
3,821
5,265
6,787
8,460
Hong Kong
4,435
4,026
5,337
6,769
7,549
Thailand
3,549
3,360
3,971
4,607
6,041
Korea
3,280
2,936
3,122
3,041
4,431
Australia
2,424
2,052
2,134
2,612
4,149
Taiwan
3,734
3,189
3,491
3,770
4,148
Netherlands
4,110
4,060
3,457
3,424
4,147
Indonesia
1,706
1,563
1,790
2,128
3,073
India
1,924
1,577
1,765
2,537
3,003
United Kingdom
3,044
2,310
2,191
2,328
2,776
Source: United Nations Harmonized System trade data accessed via the U.S. Department of
Commerce’s Trade Policy Information System.
Note: Exports are on an f.a.s. basis (no shipping costs or insurance).
39 For further information, see CRS Report RL31356, Free Trade Agreements: Impact on
U.S. Trade and Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
, by William H. Cooper.

CRS-18
The United States already is Malaysia’s top export market. A U.S.-Malaysia
FTA would likely reinforce this relationship. The United States, however, already
has low tariff rates for Malaysia exports, so eliminating U.S. tariffs may have little
effect on sales of Malaysian products. Singapore is Malaysia’s second largest export
market. Singapore already is virtually a free-trade state, and any remaining barriers
are being reduced under the ASEAN FTA. The proposed U.S. Malaysia FTA would
work to even the playing field between the United States and Singapore (and other
nations with FTAs with Malaysia) in trade with Malaysia.
As shown in Table 6, Japan is Malaysia’s top source of imports, while the
United States is second and Singapore is third, and China is rising rapidly. Malaysia
already has an FTA with Singapore and is negotiating one with Japan. The proposed
FTA with the United States would place U.S. exporters on the same footing as
exporters from Singapore, Japan, and other nations that have FTAs with Malaysia.
Table 6. Malaysia’s Merchandise Imports by Major Trading
Partner
(Million Dollars)
Partner
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
World
81,290
73,079
78,674
82,444
104,280
Japan
17,240
14,211
14,185
14,221
16,773
United States
13,637
11,839
13,068
12,840
15,263
Singapore
11,762
9,292
9,539
9,774
11,703
China
3,242
3,804
6,139
7,271
10,339
Thailand
3,154
2,927
3,153
3,814
5,789
Taiwan
4,608
4,193
4,445
4,124
5,698
Korea
3,663
2,948
4,208
4,554
5,225
Germany
2,442
2,743
2,944
3,857
4,697
Indonesia
2,269
2,241
2,548
2,941
4,194
Hong Kong
2,252
1,892
2,323
2,239
2,847
Philippines
1,990
1,839
2,620
3,107
2,819
Australia
1,593
1,564
1,425
1,265
1,788
United Kingdom
1,600
1,808
1,569
1,577
1,745
France
1,354
1,143
1,122
1,206
1,460
India
723
772
643
671
1,289
Source: United Nations Harmonized System trade data accessed via the U.S. Department
of Commerce’s Trade Policy Information System.
Legislative Requirements
Free trade agreements normally are considered by Congress under expedited
procedures. These provisions are contained in the act providing Trade Promotion

CRS-19
Authority to the President (P.L. 107-210) and other trade laws. The requirements
include the following:40
! before entering into any agreement, the President is required to
consult with certain Congressional bodies and to submit a report on
the possible effect of the agreement on U.S. trade remedy laws; at
least 90 calendar days before entering into a trade agreement, the
President must notify Congress of the intent to enter into the
agreement;41
! at least 90 calendar days before entering into the trade agreement,
the President must notify the revenue committees of possible
changes to U.S. trade remedy laws; no later than 30 days after the
President notifies Congress of the intention to enter into a trade
agreement, private sector advisors must submit their reports on the
agreement;
! within 60 days of entering into a trade agreement, the President must
submit to Congress a description of changes to existing laws; not
later than 90 days after the President enters into an agreement, the
International Trade Commission must submit a report assessing the
likely impact of the agreement;
! after entering into an agreement, the President is required to submit
to Congress the final legal text of the agreement together with a draft
of the implementing bill, a statement of any administrative action
proposed to implement the agreement, and sundry supporting
information; since the implementing bill is not amendable, the
relevant committees in Congress hold hearings and “mock” mark-
ups on the draft bill for changes reflecting congressional concerns
regarding the agreement and the final language of the legislation to
be transmitted to Congress formally for legislative action;
! if a committee to which the bill has been referred has not reported it
within 45 days after its introduction, such committee is
automatically discharged from its further consideration, and the bill
is placed on the appropriate calendar; in both houses, floor debate on
the bill is limited to 20 hours; and
! the vote by simple majority on final passage of the bill must be taken
on or before the 15th day after the bill has been reported.
40 For detail, see CRS Report RL32011, Trade Agreements: Procedure for Congressional
Approval and Implementation
, by Vladimir N. Pregelj.
41 Since the President’s Trade Promotion Authority expires on July 1, 2007, the President
arguably must notify the Congress of his intent to enter into an FTA with Malaysia before
April 2, 2007 (unless the Trade Promotion Authority is extended).

CRS-20
Policy Options
Until the negotiations with Malaysia on the proposed FTA are complete, the
legislative policy options include consultations with the Executive Branch, holding
oversight hearings on pertinent U.S. trade policy and relations with Malaysia and
other nations, and working with interest groups that either support or oppose the
proposed agreement. Public Law 107-210 (Section 2104) provides for close
consultations with the Executive Branch during and following the negotiations (as
noted above). Such consultations may lead to changes in the draft agreement before
it is signed.
Once the draft treaty is negotiated and the Executive provides Congress with
draft implementing legislation, the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance
Committees may hold mock markup hearings on the draft implementing legislation
and, if approved, may include non-binding amendments. The White House may
consider adding such amendments to the final version of the implementing bill.
In the FTA with Central America and the Dominican Republic, for example, the
House Ways and Means Committee voted to approve the draft legislation but also
added a non-binding amendment requiring the Administration to report on activities
conducted by countries in question to build capacity on labor issues and to monitor
the effects of the FTA on U.S. service industries. The final implementing bill
included such reporting requirements.42
The U.S.-Singapore FTA contained an Integrated Sourcing Initiative [Article
3.2(1-2)] that allowed certain information technology and medical products to be
treated as being of Singapore origin under specific conditions even if they were
manufactured in neighboring Indonesian areas. Critics of the initiative as originally
drafted pointed out, however, that the provision potentially could have been used by
exporters from other nations, such as China, by shipping their goods through
Singapore. In response to this concern, some draft language was deleted from the
agreement. The implementing legislation also established the need for congressional
approval for the expansion of the list of products covered under the Initiative.43
Congress also may choose not to approve the FTA implementing legislation.
Congress also may consider the proposed agreement in conjunction with other FTAs
and the Doha Round of trade negotiations under the WTO — now stalled but which
may be restarted. The U.S. Trade Representative seems confident that all
negotiations can go forward concurrently, but in April 2006, House Ways and Means
Committee Chairman Bill Thomas reportedly called on the Bush Administration to
take its focus off the Doha trade negotiations and instead focus its energies on
completing ongoing bilateral FTAs.44
42 See CRS Report RL31870, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
, by J. F. Hornbeck.
43 See CRS Report RL31789, The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, by Dick K. Nanto.
44 “Thomas Urges USTR to Shift From Lagging Doha Round to Completing FTAs.” Inside
(continued...)

CRS-21
Legislation
H.Con.Res. 380 (Schiff) S.Con.Res. 87 (Biden). A concurrent resolution expressing
the sense of Congress that U.S. intellectual property rights must be protected
globally. Introduced April 5, 2006.
44 (...continued)
U.S. Trade, April 7, 2006.

CRS-22
Appendix A. Chronology45
September 18
Third round of negotiations scheduled for September were
postponed to October 30.
July 17-21
The second round of negotiations were held. Twenty-two
negotiating groups met and discussed issues and draft texts.
June 12-14
The First Round of the Malaysia-US FTA talks held in
Malaysia.
May 3
The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee convened a
public hearing to seek public comment to assist the USTR in
amplifying and clarifying negotiating objectives for the proposed
U.S.-Malaysia FTA and to provide advice on how specific goods
and services and other matters should be treated under the
proposed agreement.
April 4
The U.S. Trade Representative sent a letter to the Committee on
Ways and Means transmitting a report on the intent to initiate
negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United
States and Malaysia.
March 31
The Trade Policy Staff Committee gave notice that the U.S.
Trade Representative and the Department of Labor are initiating
a review of the impact of a proposed free trade agreement
between the United States and Malaysia on U.S. employment,
including labor markets.
March 30
The U.S. International Trade Commission announced that it had
instituted (as of March 24) investigation [Nos. TA-131-33 and
TA-2104-22] entitled U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement:
Advice Concerning the Probable Economic Effect of Providing
Duty-Free Treatment for Imports. The request for the
investigation was received from the USTR on March 17, 2006.
March 8
The U.S. Trade Representative announced and notified Congress
of the Bush Administration’s intent to negotiate a free trade
agreement between the United States and Malaysia.
45 This chronology is based on various news reports, press releases, and notifications.

CRS-23
Appendix B. U.S. Exports of Merchandise to
Malaysia by Two-Digit Harmonized System Codes
(Million U.S. Dollars)
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
Total Exports to Malaysia
10,914.06
10,921.22
10,450.92
01
Live Animals
3.77
0.61
2.26
02
Meat
4.33
2.15
3.35
03
Fish and Seafood
1.52
2.97
3.05
04
Dairy, Eggs, Honey, etc
2.34
24.13
33.48
05
Other of Animal Origin
0.27
0.08
0.17
06
Live Trees and Plants
0.01
0.01
0.00
07
Vegetables
3.77
3.91
5.51
08
Edible Fruit and Nuts
88.24
105.48
117.62
09
Spices, Coffee and Tea
0.33
0.54
0.80
10
Cereals
39.64
15.61
29.80
11
Milling; Malt; Starch
1.36
1.96
1.52
12
Misc Grain, Seed, Fruit
46.13
61.41
26.24
13
Lac; Vegetable Sap, Extrct
1.74
1.76
2.08
14
Other Vegetable
0.01
0.02
0.00
15
Fats and Oils
1.58
2.04
1.66
16
Prepared Meat, Fish, etc
0.61
0.33
1.04
17
Sugars
6.24
6.68
7.23
18
Cocoa
3.36
3.35
4.93
19
Baking Related
3.52
4.34
5.22
20
Preserved Food
18.13
23.58
23.15
21
Miscellaneous Food
75.84
41.30
46.68
22
Beverages
3.30
5.09
4.04
23
Food Waste; Animal Feed
33.93
33.75
37.24
24
Tobacco
29.15
35.16
27.90
25
Salt; Sulfur; Earth, Stone
8.90
8.53
4.46
26
Ores, Slag, Ash
1.07
3.78
3.99
27
Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc
24.05
28.54
30.29
28
Inorg Chem; Rare Earth metals
54.83
48.98
61.95
29
Organic Chemicals
161.27
147.82
113.10
30
Pharmaceutical Products
29.25
24.99
29.93
31
Fertilizers
17.00
6.60
5.96

CRS-24
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
32
Tanning, Dye, Paint, Putty
14.75
16.84
20.29
33
Perfumery, Cosmetics, etc
37.65
32.21
29.73
34
Soap, Wax, etc; Dental Prep
21.82
25.56
27.74
35
Albumins; Mod Starch; Glue
7.65
9.20
8.03
36
Explosives
5.70
5.94
3.57
37
Photographic/Cinematography
3.98
3.20
4.55
38
Misc. Chemical Products
60.92
67.02
76.79
39
Plastic
187.62
217.22
222.21
40
Rubber
16.26
16.04
34.11
41
Hides and Skins
0.03
0.15
0.11
42
Leather Art; Saddlery; Bags
1.64
1.92
2.55
43
Furskin+ Artificial Fur
0.01
0.00
0.00
44
Wood
30.46
38.80
30.13
45
Cork
0.09
0.05
0.11
46
Straw, Esparto
0.06
0.16
0.00
47
Woodpulp, Etc.
21.33
24.95
26.39
48
Paper, Paperboard
74.05
63.43
71.67
49
Book+ Newspaper; Manuscript
16.19
15.94
20.11
50
Silk; Silk Yarn, Fabric
0.15
0.45
0.32
51
Animal Hair+ Yarn, Fabrc
0.07
0.03
0.01
52
Cotton+ Yarn, Fabric
5.74
7.20
5.41
53
Other Veg Textile Fiber
0.05
0.01
0.01
54
Manmade Filament, Fabric
2.81
3.92
4.00
55
Manmade Staple Fibers
4.71
3.27
2.47
56
Wadding, Felt, Twine, Rope
8.72
9.90
14.73
57
Textile Floor Coverings
0.79
0.62
0.17
58
Spcl Woven Fabric, Etc
0.73
1.17
0.50
59
Impregnated Text Fabrics
4.21
3.27
3.86
60
Knit, Crocheted Fabrics
0.26
0.18
0.27
61
Knit Apparel
0.22
0.64
0.81
62
Woven Apparel
0.93
1.67
2.38
63
Misc Textile Articles
3.84
3.41
6.97
64
Footwear
0.50
0.44
0.81
65
Headgear
0.15
0.09
0.33
66
Umbrella, Walk-sticks, Etc
0.01
0.00
0.00

CRS-25
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
67
Artif Flowers, Feathers
0.00
0.00
0.00
68
Stone, Plaster, Cement, Etc
3.82
6.32
11.65
69
Ceramic Products
9.76
11.67
9.54
70
Glass and Glassware
25.36
25.04
27.00
71
Precious Stones, Metals
25.64
37.22
37.08
72
Iron and Steel
80.40
96.20
121.28
73
Iron/steel Products
20.50
28.79
28.00
74
Copper+ Articles Thereof
19.71
29.76
27.39
75
Nickel+ Articles Thereof
1.14
3.23
3.02
76
Aluminum
34.21
44.65
43.46
78
Lead
1.27
3.01
4.43
79
Zinc+ Articles Thereof
0.23
0.13
0.56
80
Tin + Articles Thereof
2.83
0.67
0.05
81
Other Base Metals, Etc.
3.61
6.40
7.84
82
Tool, Cutlery, of Base Metals
19.12
19.64
22.48
83
Misc Art of Base Metal
42.13
29.04
8.57
84
Machinery
1,288.33
1,376.21
1,744.84
85
Electrical Machinery
7,156.14
6,501.82
5,985.67
86
Railway; Trf Sign eq
8.44
8.18
5.48
87
Vehicles, Not Railway
19.79
12.21
15.76
88
Aircraft, Spacecraft
229.48
580.89
255.76
89
Ships and Boats
0.48
0.64
10.52
90
Optic, Not 8544; Medical Instr
492.06
637.54
567.78
91
Clocks and Watches
0.59
1.00
1.27
92
Musical Instruments
0.93
0.77
1.20
93
Arms and Ammunition
3.41
1.11
1.25
94
Furniture and Bedding
6.64
11.04
29.79
95
Toys and Sports Equipment
12.91
15.27
19.25
96
Miscellaneous Manufactures
4.54
3.40
2.53
97
Art and Antiques
0.21
0.14
0.17
98
Special Other
200.77
208.76
201.45
Source of data: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census.

CRS-26
Appendix C. U.S. Imports of Merchandise from
Malaysia by Two-Digit Harmonized System Codes
(Million U.S. dollars, customs values)
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
Total Imports from Malaysia
25,440.20
28,178.87
33,703.16
01
Live Animals
0.21
0.15
0.15
02
Meat
0.00
0.00
0.00
03
Fish and Seafood
14.59
119.03
124.08
04
Dairy, Eggs, Honey, etc
5.84
0.69
0.77
05
Other of Animal Origin
0.06
0.06
0.05
06
Live Trees and Plants
0.37
0.49
0.61
07
Vegetables
0.02
0.20
0.28
08
Edible Fruit and Nuts
0.03
0.02
0.03
09
Spices, Coffee and Tea
4.00
1.36
1.69
10
Cereals
0.02
0.05
0.04
11
Milling; Malt; Starch
0.05
0.09
0.12
12
Misc Grain, Seed, Fruit
0.02
0.05
0.14
13
Lac; Vegetable Sap, Extract
0.02
0.04
0.14
14
Other Vegetable
0.18
0.02
0.05
15
Fats and Oils
188.21
263.23
319.93
16
Prepared Meat, Fish, etc
10.40
26.35
17.64
17
Sugars
0.24
0.28
0.94
18
Cocoa
89.90
110.04
112.26
19
Baking Related
7.95
8.15
9.68
20
Preserved Food
8.28
8.44
7.77
21
Miscellaneous Food
3.06
5.07
8.95
22
Beverages
3.36
1.87
3.59
23
Food Waste; Animal Feed
0.05
0.60
0.55
24
Tobacco
1.78
1.78
0.93
25
Salt; Sulfur; Earth, Stone
0.19
0.16
0.10
26
Ores, Slag, Ash
7.15
5.36
8.99
27
Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc
327.04
573.69
507.04
28
Inorg Chem; Rare Earth mt
3.72
4.33
14.07
29
Organic Chemicals
106.98
100.59
96.54
30
Pharmaceutical Products
1.45
1.71
1.09
31
Fertilizers
11.19
4.70
12.26

CRS-27
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
32
Tanning, Dye, Paint, Putty
6.31
8.27
17.08
33
Perfumery, Cosmetic, etc
3.66
4.01
3.45
34
Soap, Wax, Etc; Dental Prep
22.90
16.56
18.92
35
Albumins; Mod Starch; Glue
0.75
0.95
0.70
36
Explosives
0.00
0.00
0.00
37
Photographic/Cinematography
6.88
6.44
1.48
38
Misc. Chemical Products
135.44
156.12
170.24
39
Plastic
104.86
93.28
138.90
40
Rubber
572.38
609.66
680.64
41
Hides and Skins
0.13
0.35
0.14
42
Leather Art; Saddlery; Bags
2.94
2.89
5.15
43
Furskin+ Artificial Fur
0.00
0.00
0.00
44
Wood
239.41
341.91
340.96
45
Cork
0.01
0.05
0.01
46
Straw, Esparto
0.01
0.16
0.17
47
Woodpulp, Etc.
2.17
0.00
0.00
48
Paper, Paperboard
10.39
12.02
17.53
49
Book+ Newspaper; Manuscript
18.67
16.93
20.95
50
Silk; Silk Yarn, Fabric
0.06
0.01
0.00
51
Animal Hair+ Yarn, Fabric
1.01
1.13
0.58
52
Cotton+ Yarn, Fabric
28.01
22.29
12.40
53
Other Vegetable Textile Fiber
0.01
0.01
0.01
54
Manmade Filament, Fabric
14.05
15.29
16.43
55
Manmade Staple Fibers
4.07
3.87
2.99
56
Wadding, Felt, Twine, Rope
10.57
13.06
11.66
57
Textile Floor Coverings
0.06
0.05
0.05
58
Special Woven Fabric, Etc
1.03
1.48
2.05
59
Impregnated Text Fabrics
0.19
0.31
0.53
60
Knit, Crocheted Fabrics
0.06
0.20
0.03
61
Knit Apparel
410.70
436.05
437.03
62
Woven Apparel
293.14
294.87
262.44
63
Misc Textile Articles
4.00
5.11
7.73
64
Footwear
1.75
1.66
1.68
65
Headgear
3.22
4.64
3.36
66
Umbrella, Walking-sticks, Etc
0.02
0.02
0.01

CRS-28
HS
Description
2003
2004
2005
67
Artificial Flowers, Feathers
0.07
0.03
0.01
68
Stone, Plaster, Cement, Etc
1.73
2.76
3.49
69
Ceramic Products
35.58
34.14
30.48
70
Glass and Glassware
13.50
12.67
5.92
71
Precious Stones, Metals
25.69
23.89
30.08
72
Iron and Steel
13.80
125.97
133.33
73
Iron/steel Products
47.53
74.15
80.38
74
Copper+ Articles Thereof
19.82
38.67
55.52
75
Nickel+ Articles Thereof
0.12
0.08
0.00
76
Aluminum
29.44
52.85
51.26
78
Lead
0.00
0.06
0.01
79
Zinc+articles Thereof
1.12
1.27
1.55
80
Tin + Articles Thereof
2.31
57.40
16.03
81
Other Base Metals, etc.
0.01
0.22
0.05
82
Tools, Cutlery, of Base Metals
3.95
4.98
5.34
83
Misc Art of Base Metal
17.34
17.97
21.24
84
Machinery
10,156.04
11,415.15
12,920.13
85
Electrical Machinery
10,697.95
11,093.11
14,793.85
86
Railway; Trf Sign eq
0.54
0.75
0.44
87
Vehicles, Not Railway
31.55
29.88
28.11
88
Aircraft, Spacecraft
12.55
16.09
20.69
89
Ships and Boats
10.26
17.79
19.78
90
Optic, not 8544; Medical Instr
392.81
552.51
619.15
91
Clocks and Watches
8.73
7.64
6.87
92
Musical Instruments
7.06
1.39
2.15
93
Arms and Ammunition
0.54
0.30
0.40
94
Furniture and Bedding
545.47
650.83
758.94
95
Toys and Sports Equipment
132.06
101.96
102.81
96
Miscellaneous Manufactures
21.20
20.14
24.35
97
Art and Antiques
0.52
0.10
0.19
98
Special Other
330.22
307.91
296.95
99
Other Special Impr Provisions
185.49
208.03
247.88
Source of data: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census.

CRS-29
Appendix D. U.S. Merchandise Exports by State To
Malaysia, 2003-2005
(U.S. Dollars)
Rank
State
2003
2004
2005
Total U.S.
10,920,574,663
10,896,754,885
10,450,923,341
1
California
1,730,758,685
2,002,388,800
1,942,191,137
2
Texas
2,127,047,354
2,552,312,853
1,755,128,948
3
Oregon
515,299,782
496,119,486
914,641,433
4
Arizona
1,628,763,925
744,014,007
778,635,471
5
Massachusetts
928,232,829
647,796,147
617,424,506
6
Maine
236,716,271
338,618,230
364,620,488
7
New Mexico
224,860,480
224,757,438
342,690,777
8
Colorado
302,040,610
309,549,133
246,070,261
9
New York
201,889,857
262,615,745
239,089,398
10
Illinois
226,678,165
261,480,753
233,014,823
11
Florida
143,735,310
203,539,271
231,743,583
12
Washington
165,278,120
559,023,402
214,293,330
13
Minnesota
195,661,197
125,381,273
185,478,087
14
North Carolina
211,155,794
224,306,679
182,297,150
15
Pennsylvania
209,870,631
169,800,898
169,153,558
16
Idaho
77,635,319
76,218,522
150,169,568
17
Tennessee
129,354,258
77,969,653
128,416,941
18
Vermont
68,833,034
102,461,173
123,452,142
19
Ohio
75,585,106
95,680,748
119,244,964
20
Wisconsin
53,734,266
77,893,113
119,143,320
21
Connecticut
104,501,788
115,406,682
114,754,076
22
Kentucky
65,084,745
101,566,265
105,452,644
23
Louisiana
119,891,033
86,285,530
93,281,049
24
Virginia
280,125,685
146,447,729
86,692,347
25
Georgia
91,502,604
85,386,931
84,660,541
26
New Jersey
60,290,487
68,544,266
79,902,011
27
Michigan
112,887,901
107,150,107
76,433,815
28
Indiana
52,369,243
70,243,195
75,637,157
29
South Carolina
38,308,193
53,346,819
71,598,593
30
Missouri
25,298,732
39,145,703
53,055,452
31
Utah
26,610,409
39,977,110
49,548,407

CRS-30
Rank
State
2003
2004
2005
32
Kansas
8,779,586
12,203,078
43,921,675
33
Nevada
15,993,006
20,619,915
36,558,369
34
Iowa
27,872,266
31,229,324
34,417,553
35
Alabama
24,985,986
27,160,270
24,425,479
36
Puerto Rico
46,391,641
12,850,147
23,768,292
37
New Hampshire
33,345,119
28,324,662
23,599,334
38
West Virginia
6,774,756
12,735,157
23,059,667
39
Maryland
24,107,075
21,166,814
20,541,456
40
Wyoming
13,588,735
12,875,861
17,680,970
41
Oklahoma
6,508,633
10,676,189
16,839,087
42
Rhode Island
7,178,613
10,376,932
15,151,515
43
Delaware
6,590,544
8,580,453
12,072,472
44
Arkansas
12,862,331
15,263,079
12,050,640
45
Hawaii
63,545,131
96,903
7,930,844
46
Mississippi
4,652,427
6,050,965
7,761,611
47
Nebraska
8,874,843
10,647,856
7,694,801
48
Montana
1,030,993
7,115,256
7,299,633
49
South Dakota
1,621,493
5,570,883
6,527,987
50
District of
2,634,150
5,640,896
6,039,473
Columbia
51
Alaska
978,623
2,000,206
1,813,626
52
North Dakota
567,446
1,693,282
1,042,341
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce through World Trade Atlas.